Philadelphia Theatre Company opens its 51st season with the Philadelphia premiere of ‘Primary Trust‘ by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Eboni Booth and directed by two-time Barrymore Award winner Amina Robinson. The play’s 2023 Off-Broadway world premiere at Roundabout Theatre Company in New York City was heralded as one of the year’s most affecting new American plays. ‘Primary Trust’ tells the story of Kenneth, a gentle soul whose small-town life is upended when the bookstore where he’s worked for two decades closes, suddenly forcing him to start over and make new connections.
Actor Akeem Davis, a familiar face on Philadelphia stages and a Barrymore Award winner himself, plays Bert, Kenneth’s closest friend and constant source of support. Davis spoke with Metro about what drew him to the role, how the play’s themes resonate with him, and his favorite happy hour spot in the city.
Can you tell us a bit about Bert? Who is he and what is his role ‘Primary Trust?’
Bert is Kenneth’s support system throughout the play. With a long history between them, Bert has been present for most of Kenneth’s life and has always provided a firm protection from the depths of isolation and loneliness. He’s Kenneth’s very best friend.
Before joining this production, were you familiar with Eboni Booth’s work or the play itself?
‘Primary Trust’ had a popular run in NYC and that news always travels, so I was aware of the play, especially because it specifically features Black folks. Being awarded the Pulitzer Prize [for Drama] was a helluva boost to the production and meant it would play around the country. I hadn’t been aware of Eboni Booth’s work before this.
What drew you to the role of Bert, and how do the play’s themes of connection, courage, and starting over resonate with you personally or professionally?
Truly, having very little knowledge of the content of the play, I was drawn to the project simply because Amina Robinson was directing the play. Amina leads productions with a big heart and a standard of dramaturgical rigor that I find absolutely thrilling. As we’ve unpacked the play, it has resonated with me as a kind of revival or support group for all of us who’ve had to navigate tragedy and trauma, while having to make the best of life’s devastating curve balls.
As an actor, I’ve made my career as a serial employee: being game to accept that contracted employment begins and ends, but I understand just how frightening it can be to face Kenneths’ initial problem of being fired from one job with no prospects to fall back on.
For audiences seeing ‘Primary Trust’ for the first time, what do you hope they take away from Bert’s presence and the story as a whole?
I would like audiences to see Bert as a very humane, positive acknowledgement of our essential need and desire for companionship in life. My fraternity, Omega Psi Phi, has the motto “Friendship is Essential to the Soul”. I’ve lived by this creed for nearly the last 20 years of my life and it remains as a constant reminder that most all things are improved with the presence and support of a friend, a custodian, an advocate. I hope it inspires people to both appreciate the value of their best friends and to embrace the role of being a solid, endeavoring friend to their loved ones.
Bert and Kenneth spend a lot of time at their local tiki bar for happy hour. What’s your go-to happy hour drink or spot in Philly?
My favorite happy hour spot has shifted over the last 14 years I’ve spent making Philadelphia my home, but my current favorite happy hour is at The Sansom Oyster House. The oysters are always fresh and crisp, their fries come with an addictive sauce on the side and the Kelly’s Punch is always a win. Those are all on the happy hour specials, but you can also venture deeper into the food and beverage menus to find some absolutely delectable items. And they have my favorite dessert in the city — the butterscotch pudding.
‘Primary Trust’ runs Sept. 19 to Oct. 5 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad Street. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit philatheatreco.org.
