Broadway.com

Headlines: Degrassi’s Jake Epstein to Star in Spring Awakening Tour

Jake Epstein will assume the role of Melchior Gabor in the national tour of Spring Awakening this summer. Epstein, who is best known for playing Craig on the popular television show Degrassi: The Next Generation, begins performances on July 7 at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.

Hailing from Toronto, Epstein has appeared onstage in Oliver!, Dog Sees God, Cinderella, Dangerous Liaisons and Our Town. In addition to Degrassi, he’s been seen on screen in The Zack Files, 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. Much like his TV character, Epstein is also a songwriter and musician.

Based on Frank Wedekinds 19th-century play, Spring Awakening features a score by Duncan Sheik, a book by Steven Sater and was directed by Michael Mayer, all of whom won Tony Awards for their work. The show began life in 2006 at off-Broadways Atlantic Theatre Company, opened on Broadway in December of 2006 and went on to win seven 2007 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The national tour began in September of 2008, starring Kyle Riabko as Melchior, Blake Bashoff as Moritz and Christy Altamare as Wendla.