By Eboni Booth
Directed by Malkia Stampley
“Sweet, poetic and moving.”
-Chicago Tribune
Primary Trust
Oct 5 – Nov 3, 2024 in Goodman's Owen Theatre
Around 1 hour and 30 minutes, with no intermission
An open-hearted, “utterly absorbing, very funny, darn near perfect play” (The Daily Beast) about leaving your comfort zone to find fulfillment.
Meet Kenneth, a 38-year-old longtime bookstore worker, who is perfectly content with his after-work routine: a mai tai (or two) at the local tiki bar. But when his employer decides to close the store, Kenneth must also turn the page and choose a new direction—including some daring steps into a world he has evaded. BOLD Artistic Producer Malkia Stampley makes her Goodman directing debut with this “tender, delicately detailed portrait” (The New York Times) about new beginnings.
Primary Trust contains adult language and descriptions of childhood trauma.
Special Events
Pre-show programming, unique performances, and related programming.
Primary Trust: Black Affinity Night
Friday, November 1 at 6pm
We are excited to host the Goodman’s 1st Black Affinity Night. This special night encourages Black audiences to enjoy a night of theater together created and directed by Black artists while building community and supporting the arts.
Critical Praise
“Genuinely inspiring.”
Chicago Tribune
“Smallwood is mesmerizing.”
Chicago Reader
“This is feel-good theater.”
Chicago Sun-Times
“Directed with a sturdy, tender, simplicity by Malkia Stampley.”
Chicago Sun-Times
“Smallwood offers up a simply magnificent piece of acting.”
Chicago Tribune
“You’ll leave feeling a little bit better about the world.”
Chicago Tribune
“Unique and touching.”
BroadwayWorld
“A moving tribute to the power of kindness.”
Daily Herald
“⭐⭐⭐⭐ (out of 4).”
Daily Herald
Audience Praise
“THIS WAS SO GOOD!”
@jermaine_from_chicago via Instagram
“LOVED THIS SHOW!”
@maymiller2 via Instagram
“SO GOOD!! I WAS MOVED TO TEARS BY THE ENDING! WELL DONE!!
Martha R. via Facebook
“BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN AND WELL-PERFORMED PLAY!!!”
Angela W. via Facebook
“I TRULY ENJOYED IT…THE MESSAGE WAS VERY CLEAR AND A REMINDER OF HOW IMPORTANT FRIENDSHIP IS.”
Leon P. via Facebook
“IT WAS A WONDERFUL JOURNEY. KENNETH’S JOURNEY SHOWS HOW MUCH CAN CHANGE WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. BRAVO!”
@ProfB20 via Twitter
Accessible & Enhanced Performances
Questions? Please contact (312) 443-3800 for voice or (312) 443-3829 for TTY/TDD, or email Access@GoodmanTheatre.org. Visit our Accessibility Overview page for full details.
American Sign Language-Interpreted Performance
Friday, October 25 at 7:30pm
Use code SIGN for $20 tickets
Touch Tour and Audio-Described Performance
Saturday, October 26
12:30pm Touch Tour & 2:00pm Performance
Use code AUDIO for $20 tickets
Spanish Subtitles Performance
Saturday, October 26 at 7:30pm
Use code SPANISH for $20 tickets
Open-Captioned Performance
Sunday, October 27 at 2:00pm
Use code OPEN for $20 tickets
The Rest of the 2024/2025 Season
From heartfelt, critically acclaimed dramas to award-winning narratives of exploration, our 24/25 Season is your place for great theater.
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