By Lynn Venhaus

Perceptively directed and thoughtfully acted, “Trayf” is an ode to friendship, an exploration of faith and tradition, and finding one’s own path to enlightenment.

New Jewish Theatre’s St. Louis premiere of Lindsey Joelle’s 2018 play is noteworthy for its heart and humor, but also in the painstaking care that they have used in sharing this story.

One need not be an expert or be all that familiar with Jewish customs to enjoy this warm and winsome story of young men at crossroads.

The universal coming-of-age theme has specific elements to seamlessly educate in an insightful way about an ultra-Orthodox sect of Judaism — Chabad Hasidism.

Director Aaron Sparks has masterfully interpreted the material so that we witness how these two 18-year-olds have been shaped by their religious teachings. Joelle’s dialogue snaps and crackles, and the convincing actors make it pop with peppy patter and engaging portrayals.

Best friends Schmuel and Zalmy grew up in Crown Heights in Brooklyn, New York. It’s the summer of 1991. Together, they drive a Chabad “Mitzvah Tank” in borough neighborhoods as lamplighters, to zealously spread their faith. They’re ready to take on the world, but they discover they have much to learn.

The pair are similar but have different personalities, and dynamic duo Jacob Schmidt and Bryce Miller convey a deep commitment to each other, their families and their community. They are funny in their exchanges, for Joelle’s wit sparkles, and their enthusiasm is refreshing.

As Schmuel, Miller is an absolute, a by-the-book guy who doesn’t veer off course, and who is always guided by the principles of faith. He is fervent about his beliefs.

He doesn’t grasp Zalmy’s yearning, his curiosity about the secular world. Why would his childhood friend not be content with the way things always have been and want to learn more?

As Zalmy is beguiled by the modern world and the freedom to broaden his horizons, Schmidt has a childlike wonder about him, like “The Little Mermaid” Ariel and her fascination with all things above the sea, on land.

Schmuel is disapproving. Life is following the rules, not seeing how they can break them. He’s not open to Zalmy’s desires and temptations. They may be growing apart, but they still love each other.

The conversations are candid, and a tad irreverent, indicating both are naïve They share their innermost thoughts on sex and romance and express their fears and doubts. There is always that nagging feeling that they don’t fit in as they go about their journeys.

Schmuel wants them to have the exact same experiences, but Zalmy’s interest in other music, roller-skating and wearing blue jeans is blasphemous to Schmuel.

One day, a charismatic stranger tells them he just learned that his father was Jewish and wants to learn more about Judaism. Spencer Sickmann plays Johnathan, who works at a music store, and gives Zalmy samples of the latest music.

While teaching him about their faith, Zalmy is enamored with Johnathan’s lifestyle. He has a girlfriend. He wears jeans and cool T-shirts, perfectly selected by costume designer

Sickmann, who always disappears into a role, had taken a break from the stage before returning to direct at the LaBute New Play Festival this past summer. He was last seen in NJT’s “My Name is Asher Lev” in 2020, right before the pandemic shut social activities down. He is reunited with the “Asher Lev” director Aaron Sparks.

He becomes pals with both young men, but spends more time with Zalmy, who is conflicted about the strict rules of his faith, while Johnathan has given up a lot of his secular customs, including breaking up with his girlfriend Leah. As played by Annie Zigman, she has one scene discussing how Johnathan has changed because of their teachings.

Schmuel is jealous of Johnathan and Zalmy’s bond, and there are reflections by each on their growth.

The play is full of music – both the Orthodox religious music that Schmuly and Zalmy love, as well as the mainstream music that Jonathan introduces to Zalmy, and highlights the connection of music to religious experience. Sound designer Kareem Deanes gets it right.

It is set in the summer of 1991 – just prior to the Crown Heights riots that took place in August of that year.  The play shows the Chabad community before it was changed by those events.

The Crown Heights riot was a race riot that took place from August 19 to August 21, 1991, in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, New York City. Black residents attacked Orthodox Jewish residents, damaged their homes, and looted businesses. It was caused by the collision of a Chabad motorcade with Guyanese children, killing one. The statistics are sobering: 129 arrested and injuries to 152 police officers and 38 civilians.

The play is described as “a road-trip bromance that is a funny and heartwarming ode to the turbulence of youth, the universal suspicion that we don’t quite fit in, and the friends that see us through.”

The story is lived-in, and the conflicts are genuine, with Sparks at the helm. He’s the son of Zelda Sparks, who was the director of cultural arts at the J for many years

It is directed by Aaron Sparks, who was last at NJT for My Name is Asher Lev in 2020, the last production at NJT before COVID shut everything down.  Aaron is also the son of Zelda Sparks, who was the Director of Cultural Arts at the J for many years, so this is a homecoming for him to direct this play in the community that raised him.

The creative team’s work also stands out, with Lily Tomasic’s grid-like set and functional Mitzvah Tank, lit well by lighting designer Michael Sullivan.

The yearning for connection and the importance of community is palpable, with the acting ensemble in top form.

New Jewish Theatre presents “Trayf” Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 4 and 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm from Sept. 12 through Sept. 29. It is 95 minutes without intermission. Performances take place at the SFC Performing Arts Center, 2 Millstone Campus Drive. Tickets are available by phone at 314.442.3283 or online at newjewishtheatre.org. For more information: jccstl.com/arts-ideas/new-jewish-theatre/current-productions.

Photos by Jon Gitchoff, ProPhotoSTL.