6/2/09

Jake Epstein from Degrassi Joins Spring Awakening (exclusive video)


We are happy to announce that Jake Epstein from Degrassi: The Next Generation will take over for Kyle Riabko in the role of Melchoir on the national tour. While we are sad to see Kyle go, we wish him all the best in his exciting career. Kyle's last stop will be Philadelphia and Jake will officially kick off his run in Washington DC on July 7th.

We have exclusive video of Jake singing a song from Spring Awakening with our cast members while they were in Toronto. As many of you know, Jake was in the Toronto cast of "Dog Sees God" which our cast members saw early in their Toronto run. They decided to do a cabaret together. Here is Jake with fellow Dog Sees God members Alex Saslove and Paula Brancati (also from Degrassi) with our cast members Krystina Alabado, Sarah Hunt, Julie Benko. Anthony Lee Medina and Matt Shingledecker sing back up vocals! Enjoy this exclusive rendition of "The Dark I Know So Well:"






Here's the official press release:

Jake Epstein Joins the Cast of Spring Awakening National Tour

Degrassi star to take over lead the role of “Melchior Gabor” beginning July 7

June 2, 2009 - The producers of Spring Awakening announced today that Jake Esptein, best known for his work as “Craig” on the hit television series “Degrassi: The Next Generation,” will take over the lead role of “Melchior Gabor” in the national touring production of the Tony Award®-winning musical, beginning July 7 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

Jake Epstein

A 22-year-old, Toronto-born actor, Epstein has already been working in theatre, film and television for more than a decade. Theatre credits include Cameron MacKintosh’s Oliver! (Artful Dodger), Dog Sees God, Cinderella, Dangerous Liaisons and Our Town. Television and Film credits include leading roles on “The Zack Files,” and “Degrassi: The Next Generation (Gemini Award)” as well as appearances on “Charlie Bartlett,” “Crown Heights,” “Quints,” “Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire,” “Paradise Falls,” “Angela’s Eyes,” “Radio Free Roscoe,” “The Eleventh Hour”and “Being Erica.” He recently graduated from the prestigious National Theatre School of Canada, where he had the opportunity to work with Canada’s leading directors and artists. In addition to acting, Epstein is an accomplished songwriter and musician.

Spring Awakening is based on the 1891 Frank Wedekind play of the same name, and features an electrifying score by Duncan Sheik, book and lyrics by Steven Sater, direction by Michael Mayer, and choreography by the award-winning Bill T. Jones. The production won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical (2007).

Set against the backdrop of a repressive and provincial late 19th century Germany, Spring Awakening tells the timeless story of adolescent self-discovery and budding sexuality as seen through the eyes of three teenagers. Haunting and provocative, Spring Awakening celebrates an unforgettable journey from youth to adulthood with a power, a poignancy and a passion you will never forget.

For more information, visit SpringAwakening.com.

20 comments:

KATH; said...

omg; i love jake epstein.
so sad that kyle will be leaving, but i'm very excited about jake.
i think i'll like him as melchior; i'd love to see him. (:

...too bad you guys already came to canada.

Grace said...

wow - this definitely came as a shock to me, but best of luck to kyle and looking forward to seeing jake in DC..

Anonymous said...

yay, jew jew jewlie will now have a fellow heathen and friend!

alhtough it is sad to see kyle go ):

Anonymous said...

I dont know how i feel about this. I guess i just like seeing unknowns come out of the wood work.

Anonymous said...

I don't want to even think about Kyle leaving =(

Sasha said...

I can't imagine the tour without Kyle... but good luck to Jake of course.

elizabeth said...

I am really anxious and excited to see whats next for kyle!!!

Anonymous said...

OMG No!
Okay first of all Congrats to Jake Epstein, even though I have never met you or anything.
But i'm very very sad right now.
I was going to watch Spring Awakening on july 7th and was banking on meeting Kyle.
Is there any way that Kyle can be in D.C for a little while? Even if he doesnt perform. It's an emergency to me. I just need to meet him.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sad to see kyle go. i can't bear it.
i'm excited to see Jake Epstein though. :D

Anonymous said...

How the heck did the Guilty Ones know about this before it was officially posted? Amazing...

Anonymous said...

i'm pretty sure i'll eventually warm up to Jake.
but as of now its really hard to picture the tour without kyle.

Anonymous said...

Aww. now i cant have kyle sign my Parkdale Sessions CD! :(

Glenben (from Guam) said...

I'm sad to see Kyle go because I was really hoping to see him perform again...but at the same time I'm curious to see what Jake Epstein will bring to the role.
To Kyle: We'll all miss you!
To Jake: Congrats on becoming part of the SA family!

Anonymous said...

is there a way that Kyle could be in Washington D.C for Jake's first performance?
I'd love to meet both of them.

Anonymous said...

they're bring back the jon groff hair, i see.

man, i LOVED jake in degrassi, but all this crossing over is making my head spin.

Irene from Guam said...

Pun, Please pass on the following message to the Tour Cast:

Dearest Touring Cast,
I would like to announce that a couple of your GUAM FANS are coming to Washington D.C.
We are Irene (from Guam) and Glynis (from Guam) :D
Both of us bought our tickets recently and we are so excited.
We will be there opening night and are psyched to watch Jake Epstein's first performance. :D
I am so sad, though, that I won't be able to see Kyle because I was really really hoping I would.
We're really excited to finally see your performance after hearing so many great reviews and watching all of your hilarious videos.
You have all greatly inspired my friends and me, and we can all honestly say that you have changed our lives forever.
You are all unbelievably awesome and talented, and we seriously can't wait to see you.
Thanks for everything.

Love always,
Irene (from Guam)

Anonymous said...

congrats jake epstein!

Anonymous said...

I'm so excited to see Jake. He's so dreamy... Who hasn't had a crush on him since he started Degrassi? That was my middle school/high school show!

Anonymous said...

I'm sad to see Kyle go, but I'm extremely excited to see Jake in this role. He is an amazing actor and will bring something new to the tour. Kyle, though, will always hold a special place in this show. Jake has some big shoes to fill, but I'm confident that he will do it.

I'm Back! said...

Really amazing video. Thanks for sharing. I like it.i have a good stuff of downloading. If you want to download Degrassi the next generation TV Show then click here..

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UPCOMING TOUR SCHEDULE


MILWAUKEE, WI
10/06/09 - 10/11/09
Uihlein Hall Marcus Center For The Performing Arts
929 North Water Street, Milwaukee, WI
http://www.broadwayticketscenter.com


KANSAS CITY, MO
10/13/09 - 10/18/09
Music Hall
301 West 13th Street, Kansas City, MO
Non-subscription tickets on sale Sept 5, 2009 (subj to change)
http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/56473
800-982-2787

AUSTIN, TX
10/20/09 - 10/25/09
Bass Hall
23rd St & Robert Dedman Drive, Austin, TX
http://www.utpac.org/venues/bass_concert_hall
(512) 477-6060

SAN JOSE, CA
10/28/09 - 11/01/09
San Jose Center for the Performing Arts/BroadwaySanJose
http://www.broadwaysanjose.com/springawakening.php
(866)395-2929

SACRAMENTO, CA
Nov 4-15, 2009
Sacramento Community Center,
1301 L Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
http://www.californiamusicaltheatre.com/index.cfm?page=629856


COSTA MESA, CA
Nov 17-29, 2009
Orange County Performing Arts Center
600 Town Center Drive Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Ticketing number: 714.556.2787
http://www.ocpac.org/home/Events/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=887&NavID=85


DENVER, CO
Dec 1-13, 2009
The Buell Theatre
Denver Performing Arts Complex
14th and Curtis Streets Denver, CO 80204
Non-subscription tickets on sale: Mon, Oct 19, 2009 (web only Oct 18)
Ticketing Number: (800) 641-1222
Groups: 303-446-4829
http://www.denvercenter.org/shows-and-events/Shows/SpringAwakening/Overview.aspx

HERSHEY, PA
Jan 5-10, 2010
Hershey Theatre
15 E. Caracas Ave, PO Box 395 Hershey, PA 17033
Non-Subscription Tickets on sale: Mon Aug 17, 2009
Groups: 717-534-3412
http://www.hersheytheatre.com/performances_events/details.php?id=8952

CINCINNATTI, OH
Jan 12-24, 2010
Aronoff Center
650 Walnut Street Cincinnati, OH 45202
Non-subscription Tickets go on sale: Nov 2009
Ticketing (not avail until 11/9) 800.982.2787
http://www.ticketmaster.com/

FORT MYERS, FL
Jan 26-31, 2010
Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall
8099 College Parkway, SW Fort Myers, FL 33919
Non-subscription Tickets on sale: Sept 1, 2009 (Tentative)
Ticketing number: 800-440-7469
Groups: 239-489-3033, x 3122
http://www.bbmannpah.com/

CHARLOTTE, NC
Feb 2-Feb 7, 2010
Belk Theatre, Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
130 N. Tryon St. Charlotte, NC
http://www.blumenthalcenter.org/
Group Tickets: (704) 379-1380
Ticketing number: (704) 372-1000

ROCHESTER, NY
Feb 9-14, 2010
Auditorium Theatre, Rochester Broadway League
885 E. Main Street Rochester, NY 14605
Ticketing Number: 800-745-3000

HARTFORD, CT
February 23-28, 2010
Bushnell Performing Arts Center
http://www.bushnell.org/

DURHAM, NC
MARCH 2-7, 2009
DPAC, Durham Performing Arts Center
Ticketing: 919-680-2787
Groups: 919-281-0587
http://www.dpacnc.com

ATLANTA, GA
March 9-14, 2010
Fabulous Fox Theatre
660 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30308
Call Ticketmaster at (404) 817-8700
http://www.foxtheatre.org/

GREENVILLE, SC
March 16-21, 2010
The Peace Center
300 S. Main Street Greenville, SC 29601
Ticketing Number: 800-888-7768
Groups: 864-679-9201
http://www.peacecenter.org/

DALLAS, TX
March 23 - April 4, 2010
Dallas Center for the Performing Arts
2100 Ross Avenue, Suite 650 Dallas, Texas 75201
Box Office: 214.880.0202
http://www.dallasperformingarts.org/

DETROIT, MI
April 20-May 9, 2010
3011 W. Grand Boulevard Detroit, MI 48202
Ticketing number: 800-982-2787
Group Tickets: 313-871-1132
http://www.nederlanderdetroit.com/

MIAMI, FL
May 11-16, 2010
Arsht Center
Box Office: 305.949.6722
http://www.arshtcenter.org/

ORLANDO, FL
May 18-23, 2010
Carr Performing Arts Center
401 West Livingston Street Orlando, FL 32801
http://www.broadwayacrossamerica.com/Orlando

Frequently Asked Questions

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If you just want to send a quick note to all the cast members telling them you appreciate their work, you can email us here at totallytruckedblog (at) gmail (dot) com. I will be happy to forward your email to the cast, but to preserve their privacy, it is unlikely they will email you back (I will, though).

You can also send individual performers fan mail and care packages care of the theatre at which we are currently performing or will be performing. Go to the theatre's website (listed above), find their mailing address, write the actor's name as well as "Spring Awakening" and send c/o the theatre. Remember, we are often at these theatres for only a week so make sure to allow for delivery times. It's a better bet to send it to the theatre we will be going to next as they can always hold packages for us until we arrive. Letters received late will not be forwarded to our next location.

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4. How Do I Join The Guilty Ones?

The National Guilty Ones Street Team is a way for fans of the show in each of our tour stops to help us spread the word. You will get access to parties, meet and greets, and other special events while meeting new friends who share your passion for the show, all while gaining some valuable marketing experience. You must be at least 15 yrs old. Email your contact info to nationalguiltyones (at) gmail (dot) com.

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6. Who runs this site? This site was created for fans to stay connected with our touring cast and follow their adventures around North America. Ideally, it would be in the voice of the cast members. Unfortunately, our cast members are often too tired or busy to post lengthy blog posts on a regular basis. Company members will contribute a post from time to time and every month we will have a compiled blog post that most every company member will participate in. The other stuff like updates, etc, will be posted by me. My name is Pun. I work for the production, love this show, its cast, and our fans, and I'm so very glad you're here!





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