One of the unique challenges of BE is working with such a young lead, and one who alternates. How does this affect how you approach your role and what is it like having a different "little brother" every night?

The most unique part of this show is working with a new Billy every night. Every Billy is different. They each bring something interesting and specific to the role. I am a different older brother each night, depending on who's on. Not only does it keep the show fresh, but it makes each night really special. Each Billy only goes on twice a week.

Did you get any advice from Patrick (Mulvey) before he departed for Broadway?

I got to hang out with Patrick a bit before he left for Broadway and the thing he told me was to find a way to make the part fun. He said that it's a really intense and serious part, but the audience will love you if you find a way to have fun on stage, despite the seriousness of the part.

Do you have much of a dance background yourself? Can you identify with Billy's struggles in any way from your own childhood?

I went to an arts school as a kid. We had to take dance every other day, along with drama, music and visual arts. However, wearing black tights was something I dreaded... and still have nightmares about it to this day. I think I was a pretty good dancer. I suppose that training helped me land parts in musicals...or has just given me nightmares!

Read more: BWW Interviews: Jake Epstein talks Billy Elliot, Degrassi and Dream Roles

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“When I saw the show on Broadway a couple of years ago I immediately connected with Billy's older brother, Tony, and knew I'd love to play him one day,” Epstein told the Jewish Tribune. “A few months ago I got an audition for the role and the rest is history.”

What has he found to be the biggest challenge?

“It is probably acting with the British accent,” he said. “There's one thing just to do a Geordie accent, but it’s totally different to convey emotion with a new accent and to sound really natural. It's an ongoing challenge for the whole company. Oh and the pirouette I have to do in the show always stresses me out!”

...What is next for Epstein, after Billy Elliot wraps up?

“I just finished a movie called Blood Pressure shot in Toronto, that is coming out soon,” he said.

“Also there is something very exciting happening afterwards that unfortunately I can't tell anyone about yet.”

Billy Elliot the Musical will complete its Toronto run on Sept. 3. Ticket information is available at billyelliotintoronto.com.

Read the full article at the Jewish Tribune: Degrassi grad Epstein snags key role in Billy Elliot the Musical.

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credit: Billy Ingram/WireImage

Toronto's BILLY ELLIOT Welcomes David Keeley and Jake Epstein

Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions in association with Weinstein Live Entertainment - have announced today that there are some new additions to the Toronto cast of BILLY ELLIOT, now in its fifth month at the Canon Theatre. Over the coming weeks, five Canadian actors will join the cast, three in major roles...

...New in the role of TONY, Billy's older brother, will be Jake Epstein. A graduate of The National Theatre School of Canada, Jake is probably best known for starring on television in Degrassi: The Next Generation (Gemini Award) and on stage in Spring Awakening (U.S. National Tour). Other theatre credits include Dani Girl (World Premiere, Talk Is Free Theatre), Beauty And The Beast and Cinderella (Ross Petty Productions), Dog Sees God (Rubinoff Productions), Dangerous Liaisons (Segal Centre) and Oliver! (Mirvish Productions). His Film/TV credits also include Jesus Henry Christ (with Toni Collette), Living In Your Car (HBO), My Babysitter's A Vampire (Teletoon), Being Erica (CBC), Charlie Bartlett (with Robert Downey Jr.) and The Zack Files (YTV).

Read the full article here: Toronto's BILLY ELLIOT Welcomes David Keeley and Jake Epstein.

Jake also receives a mention about his new role in Billy Elliot in this article "Canucks join Billy Elliot cast" in the Toronto Sun.



Playing out Jewish heritage: Tapestry New Opera, Luminato, and a look at what’s going on in stage this week
Development of new work is as important as the staging of established plays for a theatre troupe, something that the Harold Green Jewish Theatre understands.

In partnership with the Miles Nadal JCC and the Koffler Centre for the Arts, the company launches into its second annual workshop of staged readings. With a nod to Genesis, the series is called In The Beginning: A Jewish Playwriting Festival. All readings are free.

This year’s festival includes workshops of four plays that look at Jewish history, experience and tradition...

...The mother/son team of Kathy Kacer and Jake Epstein collaborate on Therefore Choose Life, about a Holocaust victim caught in an unexpected love triangle. Jen Schuber directs (June 14).

Read the full article at NOW Magazine: Playing out Jewish heritage.

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credit: Racheal McCaig Photography
On Monday May 9th the best and brightest Canadian talent came out for a special concert to kick off Theatre 20's 2011-2012 concert series. Entitled The Story Begins, the evening was dedicated to celebrating songs from story driven musicals. Founded earlier this year, Theatre 20 is a Toronto based, artist-led theatre company formed to present story driven musicals by developing new Canadian works and re-imagining existing repertoire. The group officially launched on January 20th, 2011 at The Panasonic Theatre, and BWW was on hand to bring you photos of that event which you can view here.

BWW has been bringing its readers exclusive coverage of the progression of Theatre 20 (starting with the news that Colm Wilkinson would be one of the founding members) and we are now thrilled to bring you photographs from the electric first concert that took place last week. Featuring Colm as a special guest, the concert brought out the best that Toronto has to offer to sing some of musical theatre's most beloved songs.

Throughout the course of the evening video clips were shown of the various members of T20 discussing things such as their favourite composer, their memories of their first musical experience and when and why they decided to pursue a career in musical theatre. The videos were capped off with a feature of the artists explaining why they decided to become involved with Theatre 20.

....The first act closed with Jake Epstein leading the T20 Emerging Artist Choir in a very funny and engaging performance of "Run Freedom Run" from Urinetown.

Read the full article here at broadwayworld.com.


credit: Racheal McCaig Photography

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