Primary Trust

Nashville Repertory Theatre brings Primary Trust to the Johnson Theater at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center from February 12 to 21, 2027. It's a Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Eboni Booth, and it's the kind of story that sticks with you long after you leave the theater.

The play follows Kenneth, a man who's built his life around a predictable, quiet routine: he works at a bookstore by day and spends his evenings with his best friend at a local bar. That's the safety he relies on, until an unexpected layoff throws everything off balance and forces him to step beyond what he knows. From there, it becomes a story about loneliness, imagination, and the courage it takes to build genuine connections. It's described as humorous, tender, and deeply moving, and it's the 2024 Pulitzer Prize winner for Drama.

Jon Royal directs the production, with scenic design by Gary C. Hoff, costumes by Melissa K. Durmon, lighting by Amber Whatley, and sound by Nivedhan Singh. The run time is about an hour and 35 minutes, so it's a relatively tight evening. There's a content warning for mature language, depictions of emotional trauma, substance use and abuse, haze, and flashing lights.

Single tickets start at $38.50. There are plenty of options to fit your schedule: Friday, Feb 12 at 7:30 PM; Saturday, Feb 13 at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM; Sunday, Feb 14 at 2:00 PM; Thursday, Feb 18 at 7:30 PM; Friday, Feb 19 at 7:30 PM; Saturday, Feb 20 at 2:00 PM (which is the ASL-interpreted performance) and 7:30 PM; and Sunday, Feb 21 at 2:00 PM. The production also includes open-captioned performances.