Ugo Chukwu Is Bringing 'Primary Trust' To Life

Ugo Chukwu

 

By Darlene Donloe

In the midst of Los Angeles' vibrant theater scene, Ugo Chukwu is preparing to make his mark on the Mark Taper Forum stage in Eboni Booth's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, ‘Primary Trust,’ running May 20-June 28. 

Chukwu, a Bronx native and Manhattan-raised actor, will bring Bert, the charming best friend of the lead character Kenneth, to life.

"The play is about a young man named Kenneth who lives his life a certain way," Chukwu said. "One day, his routine is thrown for a loop and forces him to step out into the world. As he goes through his journey, you understand why he has been living the way he lives."

Chukwu's journey to the Taper stage began in 4th grade, when he declared his desire to become an actor.

A Brooklyn College theater major, Chukwu has honed his craft through years of hard work, including stints as a bartender, server, and teaching artist.

Ugo Chukwu in 'Give Me Carmelita Tropicana!'

Some of his credits include Oklahoma! (Broadway National Tour), Give Me Carmelita Tropicana! (Soho Rep), Lunch Bunch (Clubbed Thumb/Play Company), and What To Send Up When It Goes Down (Movement Theater). He has also appeared in commercials for State Farm and Spectrum Mobile.  

All of that experience shines through in his nuanced portrayal of Bert, a sounding board for Kenneth's struggles and an embodiment of the play's themes of loneliness, connection, and community.

"I'm drawn to Bert's grounding presence," Chukwu said. "He's a space where Kenneth can find solace. That's what I wanted to bring – the essence of true friendship."

As Chukwu navigates Bert's complexities, he finds personal connections to the play's themes. 

"We're living in a world where people are lonelier than ever, despite being hyper-connected on social media," he said. "We're always searching for community." 

With a sense of humor and humility, Chukwu comes across as a down-to-earth, authentic guy who's passionate about his craft. 

"I think people should see the play because it's a funny and moving play," he said. "It surprises you in ways you wouldn't expect. It uplifts." 

Ugo Chukwu

Primary Trust promises to be a transformative experience, with Chukwu's ‘Bert’ anchoring the poignant story. 

“The Mark Taper Forum has always been known as the home to great American plays, and I’m thrilled that tradition continues this season with Eboni Booth’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Primary Trust,” CTG Brindell & Milton Gottlieb Artistic Director Snehal Desai said. “Knud (the director) has put together a luminous and fiercely talented ensemble to bring the rich characters that inhabit Eboni’s play to life. I can’t wait to share this gorgeous and moving play with CTG audiences.”

Winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Primary Trust by Eboni Booth and directed by Knud Adams, is an elegantly crafted story of an emotionally damaged man who finds a new job, new friends, and a new sense of worth, and illustrates how small acts of kindness can change a person’s life and enrich an entire community. 

The play features a talented ensemble, including Petey McGee, Rebecca S’manga Frankas Corinna, James Urbaniak, and Luke Wygodny. 

Primary Trust is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. concordtheatricals.com 

‘Primary Trust,’ Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, 7:30 p.m. Tues.-Thurs, 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 1 and 7 p.m. Sundays, May 20 – June 28, $40.25, 213 628-2772 or CenterTheatreGroup.org.