By Eva Trieger
SAN DIEGO — A five year old was in the audience of “Les Mis” and left the theater asking his parents, “How did that boy get on that stage?” Three years later, after enrolling in acting classes and piano lessons, the boy was a full-fledged theater enthusiast and performer.
Evan Jay Newman grew up in Marlboro, New Jersey, a stones’ throw from New York City. His parents frequently brought him to shows in New York, and this child actor loved the experience of acting and singing. In a telephone interview, he shared with me that he performed at the Papermill Playhouse in Nine and had the grand opportunity to go on national tour as Chip in Beauty and the Beast.
Though not the product of an observant home, Newman identifies himself as a Jew. Early on he found himself a rabbi, and became familiar with stories from the Talmud and Torah. In fact, when asked if he felt a dichotomy between his religious curiosity and his attraction to theater, Newman responded that so much of Judaism is based in storytelling. These stories compelled him to connect and seek out the source.
Newman credits Rabbi George Schlesinger, whom he recalls as a wonderful speaker,for being his ethical guide. He stated that this drive to relate stories “informed my interest in theater.” He also said that his studies about Rabbi Judah Loew, the Maharal of Prague, as having helped solidify his love of Yiddishkeit.
When we discussed Israel, Newman waxed eloquent. He had been to Israel on a Birthright trip at age 21. He recalls the country as consisting of “beautiful people, amazing culture… it was not all turmoil and fear…” This trip impacted him so profoundly that Newman now says he would like to lead a Birthright trip in the future…as soon as he can find the time….and that may prove challenging!
The second national tour of American Idiot is coming to San Diego’s Civic Theatre. This rock opera has been compared to such productions as Tommy, Rent and Jesus Christ Superstar. Newman said he was a fan of Green Day fan from the punk rock band’s inception. A lifelong fan, Newman’s first CD was “Dookie”, released in 1994. The excitement and joy in doing this show was nearly crackling through the phone.
Newman warned me that the show, to be presented by Broadway San Diego May 28-June 2, isn’t “kid friendly” and has an aggressive, abrasive “in your face” quality. He said it makes no excuses and it shouldn’t. One facet that particularly appealed to this musical director was the fact that the show is interactive. In many musicals the band is offstage or in the pit. In this show, that is told largely through song, the audience, actors, and musicians interact, and as Newman put it, the musicians are “watching the journey with you”, the audience.
American Idiot features over 30 songs by Green Day that “open the minds and eyes of America” to what Newman feels is the sensory overload and complacency we experience in 2013. It offers the idea that our kids are in trouble, and we must fix that. Sounds an awful lot like tikkun olam….I’m just sayin’…
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Trieger is a freelance writer who specializes in coverage of the arts. She may be contacted via eva.trieger@sdjewishworld.com