Filipino director and theater educator Chari Arespacochaga is directing Primary Trust, the Pulitzer Prize–winning play by Eboni Booth, at Asolo Repertory Theatre. The production runs January 7 through February 11, 2026, at the Mertz Theatre, with previews on January 7–8 and opening night on January 9.
Primary Trust was one of the most acclaimed off-Broadway premieres of 2024. It debuted at Roundabout Theatre Company in May 2023 and won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2024. Booth’s story follows Kenneth, a middle-aged man scraping by in small-town America. He spends his days working in a quiet bookstore and his evenings sipping Mai Tais at the local tiki bar. When he loses his job, he is forced to confront a world he has long avoided.
Related posts:
Critics have praised the play for its warmth and insight. The Los Angeles Times wrote, “Eboni Booth’s tender 2024 Pulitzer winner, finds value in every life.” The Pulitzer board described it as “A simple and elegantly crafted story of an emotionally damaged man who finds a new job, new friends and a new sense of worth, illustrating how small acts of kindness can change a person’s life and enrich an entire community.”
The cast includes Anthony Cason as Kenneth, with Kamal Bolden, Matt DeCaro, Kayland Jordan, and a versatile ensemble bringing Booth’s characters vividly to life.
Joininhg Chari Arespacochaga is a creative team that combines seasoned theater professionals. It includes Alan C. Edwards for lighting design, Jen Gillette handles costumes, and Filipino designer Joey Mendoza creates the scenic design, ensuring the production’s visual world is compelling and carefully crafted. Matthew Parker oversees sound design, Peter Rothstein serves as producing artistic director, and Peter Vitale provides original music. Together, they bring Booth’s Pulitzer-winning story to life on stage.
Arespacochaga brings a wealth of experience to the production. Her credits include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at the University of California; Amadeus and Stupid Kids at Phoenix Theatre in Victoria; 9 Minutes for PopUP Theatrics NYC; and productions including Rock of Ages, The Full Monty, Disney’s Tarzan, Spring Awakening, Legally Blonde, Altar Boyz, and Into The Woods. She has also co-directed Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Avenue Q. Earlier this year, she directed the Manila staging of Into The Woods with Lea Salonga in the lead.
Primary Trust is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.
Stay locked in to PalabasTayo.com for your daily dose of film, TV, music, art, fashion, food, and all things lifestyle and entertainment like this. You may also follow and subscribe to our social media accounts: Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, X, and Kumu.
![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://www.palabastayo.com/2025/12/20/chari-arespacochaga-directs-primary-trust-at-asolo-rep/&media=https://www.palabastayo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/chari.jpg&description=Filipino director Chari Arespacochaga leads Pulitzer-winning "Primary Trust" at Asolo Rep with Joey Mendoza as Scenic designer.){kind=link}