Two Jews Walk Into a War… by Seth Rozin
Directed by Aaron Sparks
July 24 - August 10, 2025
I will be back on stage in Rhinoleap Productions’ presentation of
A Few Good Men by Aaron Sorkin
Directed by Shirley Serotsky, artistic director of the Hangar Theatre
March 1st - 23rd, 2025 at the Historic Randolph County Courthouse in Asheboro, North Carolina
Trayf by Lindsay Joelle
Directed by Aaron Sparks
September 12th - 29th, 2024
TRAYF nominated for 9 2024 St. Louis Broadway World Awards
Voting takes place through December 31st, 2024. Click on the image above to Vote.
Best Play
Best Ensemble - Bryce A. Miller, Jacob Schmidt, Spencer Sickmann, Annie Zigman
Best Direction of a Play - Aaron Sparks
Best Performer in a Play - Jacob Schmidt
Best Supporting Performer in a Play - Bryce A. Miller Best Supporting Performer in a Play Spencer Sickmann
Best Scenic Design - Lily Tomasic Best Lighting Design - Michael Sullivan Best Sound Design - Kareem Deanes
The New Jewish Theatre’s production of TRAYF is a wonderfully charming and funny ride with the two friends as they begin developing into independent adults. The immensely entertaining journey is led by Aaron Sparks' insightful direction and the fully committed performances of Bryce A. Miller and Jacob Schmidt. …
Sparks has created a realistic portrait of the Hasidic community. The level of authenticity he has brought to the stage provides the audience the requisite understanding of Orthodox observances and devotion. His preparation and direction of his actors is visionary, and the collaboration with his design team further strengthened the representation of the community and added to the story’s religious authenticity. …
New Jewish Theatre’s TRAYF is a delight. The remarkable chemistry between Miller and Schmidt is reminiscent of the great comedic acting duos from the buddy comedies of the past. Their contagious energy makes their portrayals of Schulmy and Zalmy endearing and irresistible. The realism that Sparks and his team bring to the production is commendable and creates enjoyable and believable storytelling. TRAYF is a wonderfully warm and winning comedy about friendship, love, and faith.
James Lindhorst - Broadway World St. Louis
“Trayf” crackles with energy and is defined by its smart, lively dialogue that oscillates between lighthearted moments and weighty themes. … With spot-on directing by Aaron Sparks, Bryce A. Miller as Schmuel, Jacob Schmidt as Zalmy and Spencer Sickmann as Jonathan are outstanding. …
In this production, “Trayf” is an engaging and satisfying exploration of faith and friendship balanced with a meditation on the customs that shape us, the relationships that sustain us, and the choices that define us – leaving the audience to ponder, perhaps with a lingering smile, questions about tradition, community and personal growth.
CB Adams - KDHX
The New Jewish Theatre’s current production is very funny and very serious. … And very entertaining. And intellectually provocative. …
I admired and enjoyed The New Jewish Theatre’s Trayf.
Bob Wilcox - Two on the Aisle - HEC Media
The New Jewish Theatre’s current offering is an outstanding production of “Trayf.” The play, by Lindsay Joelle, is an absorbing and moving study of a friendship in an insular environment. ...
The NJT cast performs superbly under Aaron Sparks’ knowing direction. The contrast and the connection are both extraordinary in the performances by Jacob Schmidt as Zalmy and Bryce Miller as Shmuel. ... Miller and Schmidt have striking rapport when Shmuel and Zalmy are sharing joy, while their fighting reflects the heartache of people who still love each other in spite of their differences.
Spencer Sickmann fervently projects Jonathan’s thirst to explore his Jewishness and also captures the fulfillment Jonathan achieves from what he learns. Jonathan’s girlfriend, Leah, has only one scene, but Annie Zigman fully encompasses Leah’s arc as her initial diffidence turns into outraged indignation. …
NJT’s program includes a helpful glossary of terms used in the play, but the universal themes and insights of “Trayf” will shine through even if a few words are unfamiliar.
Gerry Kowarski - St. Louis Jewish Light
The 95-minute show (without intermission) is funny, very beautifully acted, and highly endearing under the direction of Aaron Sparks at the New Jewish Theatre in St. Louis. … It's like the greatest Jewish fable you never knew existed, till now.
Richard T. Green - TalkinBroadway.com
Joelle shows a deft hand at blending both drama and humor in telling her story, something director Aaron Sparks and his quartet of players tap into with great success in conveying the play’s messages about tradition and assimilation. …
Director Sparks knows how to tap into the play’s naturally established humor as well as its poignancy and keeps his cast’s and the production’s eyes on the prize as Schmuel and Zalmy make their ways, however awkwardly, into their impending brave new world of adulthood.
Mark Bretz - Ladue News
… an insightful look at devotion in various forms–to religious faith, to friends and family, to community, and to one’s personal ideals and goals. What stands out the most, though, is the central relationship, with richly drawn characters who are relatable and believable, even if audience members don’t share their particular beliefs or life experiences. This is a fascinating play, and a thoughtfully staged, well-paced production from New Jewish Theatre.
Michelle Kenyon - Snoop’s Theatre Thoughts
… you don’t need a deep knowledge of Jewish history and culture to understand the message and meaning of the play. Trayf is fundamentally a story about male friendship and cultural identity. As Jonathan discovers, reconnecting with your roots can be a joyful experience—but it can also be challenging and confusing. The Hasidic community give Zalmy’s life meaning and structure, but it also holds him back from new experiences and opportunities. Both men’s stories are part of the Jewish experience—worth telling and worth hearing.
Rob Von Nordheim - The Arts STL
Directed by Aaron Sparks February 1st - 17th, 2024
This lovely work by Duncan Macmillan (with Jonny Donahoe) is as heart-rending as you would expect, but it’s also a divinely humorous journey as well. Director Aaron Sparks does a nice job of striking the delicate balance in a work that deals with such serious and sobering subject matter. …
For you see, while “Every Brilliant Thing” is a one-person show, the audience most definitely plays a role, too — quite a few, actually. The one person, however, is the narrator, and he is magnificently played by Tim Wyman. For a little over an hour, Wyman is doing the acting equivalent of flying without a net. Yes, he’s working from Macmillan’s script, but he is also selecting members of the audience to play his father, a school counselor, his girlfriend, the list goes on. Wyman must be at the top of his improvisation game so he won’t come crashing down from this perilous thespian trapeze, and, thankfully, he soars brilliantly. I imagine standing ovations will be the norm for this show’s run.
John D. Poling - The Pantagraph
Listen to actor Tim Wyman and me talking to WGLT’s Lauren Warnecke about Every Brilliant Thing
2020/2021 St. Louis Theater Circle Nominations
Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Drama — Female or Non-Binary Role
Amy Loui, "My Name Is Asher Lev," New Jewish Theatre
Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Drama — Male or Non-Binary Role
Chuck Winning, "My Name Is Asher Lev," New Jewish Theatre
Praise for My Name is Asher Lev
by Aaron Posner - New Jewish Theatre
“… a spellbinding New Jewish Theatre production. … As directed by Aaron Sparks, a story that might easily come across as melodramatic instead registers as a thoughtful portrait of the struggle between following the dictates of family and community and finding the courage to pursue one’s dreams. …Sparks approaches the material with an appreciation for the timelessness of its themes. “My Name Is Asher Lev” is at once poignant and uplifting.”
Calvin Wilson - St. Louis Post-Dispatch
“New Jewish Theatre's production embraces the complexities and contradictions of genius and faith, creating a mesmerizing story that completely engrosses while delivering story, emotion and passion from the first line through the last.”
Tina Farmer - KDHX
“Sparks’ direction and his cast’s carefully crafted portrayals convincingly convey the struggles of the title character to honor his tradition without sacrificing his own personal expression, a combination with sobering results. New Jewish Theatre’s rendition of My Name Is Asher Lev presents Potok’s story in both its complexity and compassion.”
Mark Bretz - Ladue News
“A deeply affecting production … Under the skilled and sensitive direction of Aaron Sparks and a small but superb cast, the NJT production is emotionally riveting and a highly satisfying intellectual experience.”
Robert A. Cohn - St. Louis Jewish Light