Interview Contra Costa Times

"Degrassi: The Next Generation's" Jake Epstein stars in "Spring Awakening" in San Jose

Many teens know Jake Epstein for his earnest portrayal of bipolar musician Craig Manning on "Degrassi: The Next Generation," but the Toronto native, 22, has reached beyond his role on "Degrassi."

Since he left "Degrassi" in 2007, Epstein has starred in the film "Charlie Bartlett" and in the Toronto production of "Dog Sees God" with fellow "Degrassi" star Paula Brancati. Ever the thespian, Epstein plays the male lead Melchior in the national tour of "Spring Awakening," which stops in San Jose this week.

We caught up with him via phone as he was rehearsing and performing in Austin, Texas, and talked to him about teen sexuality, "Degrassi" and what lies ahead.

Q: Why did you choose to try out for "Spring Awakening"? More specifically, what is it about the play that particularly drew you to this role?

A: Well, I saw the show on Broadway in 2006 and just completely fell in love with it. I couldn't believe what I was seeing, like I was just on the edge of my seat the whole time. I had chills for half the play. I thought it was just the amalgamation of rock music and theater, and I just thought it was so cool. Two years later I (actually went to) an open call in Toronto, my home, 'cause I heard they were looking for replacements on Broadway. ...

Q:In "Degrassi" you played a brooding musician with bipolar disorder and in "Spring Awakening" you play a kind of rebellious trickster who leads his classmates against society. So, why did you want to play a character so drastically different from Craig?

A: (laughs) Well, it's funny. I don't even think of it as that totally different from Craig. I mean, I brought so much of myself to "Degrassi," and I think in the same way I sort of related a lot to some of Melchior in "Spring Awakening" as well. So, yes, they are two completely different characters, but I think of them as parts of myself. And I think if anything, it's actually the opposite — that I recognized parts of myself in these characters and (it) made me want to play them, not that they were so different, but the fact that I could relate to them.

Q:In the media, a lot of emphasis is put of teen sexuality, and "Spring Awakening" also addresses this issue. What do you think makes "Spring Awakening" so unique from other sources of this focus?

A: I think it really doesn't talk down to its audience. I think it portrays teen sexuality in a way that's real, in a way that's entertaining, and in a way that's just really connects with people. "Spring Awakening" really doesn't hold back, and I think people appreciate that.

Q:Your career has spanned from "Degrassi" to "Spring Awakening" with so many projects in between. What project have you done so far that has made you most proud and why?

A: I'm very proud of the project I did like a few before "Spring Awakening." (It was) this play I did in Toronto called "Dog Sees God," which was done off-Broadway, and I got to be part of the Canadian premiere of it. The whole premise is that it's the Peanuts characters, the Charlie Brown characters in their last year of high school. And again, the play deals with teen sexuality and identity, and abuse between teenagers in high school.

That play was just a really, really special experience. We were only supposed to have a really short run, and we ended up being extended for a few weeks...

Q:I have to ask. Which one of your "Degrassi" classmates do you still talk to, or are you still close to any of them?

A: Well, I see them all the time when I'm in Toronto. Honestly, I'd say the people I'm really good friends with (are) Paula Brancati, who actually did "Dog Sees God" with me, and Jake Goldsbie, who has remained one of my best friends. And then again, I see them all the time. I definitely keep in touch with them all, because they're good people. Last year we shot the "Degrassi" movie so I got to hang out with all of them again, which was cool.

Q:After "Spring Awakening," what's next?

A:Well, I'm contracted for awhile, and getting cast in the show kind of took me completely by surprise. So at this point, I don't know what's next. I mean, it's been a real dream and a real roller coaster being part of this play. So, I truly have not put much thought into what's next. I'm just kind of living in the moment right now.

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