Hailing from Toronto, Canada, Jake Lee Epstein a musician of sorts along with being a well-known actor, began his lifestyle within the acting realm. His acting career shot right up, from the local Royal Alex Theatre, his favorite role being "Artful Dodger," in "Oliver". Later on down the line, he managed to direct his own play "The Dead and the Rooster," in 2003. Since the beginning, Jake has been extremely successful in landing numerous TV roles, from hit series down to feature full length films. His best known role was as Craig Manning from the hit series Degrassi The Next Generation. Jake admires, his parents, along with his musical influences, John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, and absolutely loves chocolate. Aside from acting being a major role, he spends most of his time doing what he enjoyed the most, creating/playing music. He’s played in a handful of various bands, building up the momentum to get his musical career up the musical scale as far as it’ll go. I recently had the chance to speak to the well known icon about his current lifestyle, musical plans, and acting high lights.

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Edit: This interview was most likely not done with Jake himself. Sorry to break the bad news.

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For actor and musician Jake Epstein, the offer to take over the role of Melchior Gabor, the sexually-driven male lead, in the national tour of Spring Awakening, was one he could not refuse. Epstein, best known for his role as Craig Manning on the hit Canadian series "Degrassi: The Next Generation," had long been a fan of the provocative show, which won the 2007 Tony for best musical and is currently touring the nation since closing on Broadway in January. He took over the role beginning last month.

On the heels of a successful debut run with the show in Washington, DC, Epstein is ready for a two-week engagement at the Ford Oriental Theatre in Chicago, the next stop on a cross-country adventure which the 22-year-old described as both a "dream come true" and "terrifying." EDGE caught up with the multi-talented performer just before his arrival in the Windy City, discussing rock star fantasies and the art of performing nude scenes in front of family members.

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Spring Awakening at Town Cabaret 7/30/09 - Don't Stop Believin'
Another YouTuber's view of the Spring Awakening Tour Cast at Town Cabaret 7/30/09 - Don't Stop Believin'
Spring Awakening at Town Cabaret 7/30/09 - Seasons of Love/Song of Purple Summer
Another YouTuber's view of the Spring Awakening Tour Cast at Town Cabaret 7/30/09 - Seasons of Love/Song of Purple Summer
Spring Awakening at Town Cabaret 7/30/09 - Touch Me
Another YouTuber's view of the Spring Awakening Tour Cast at Town Cabaret 7/30/09 - Touch Me
Another YouTuber's view of the Spring Awakening Tour Cast at Town Cabaret 7/30/09 - Touch Me
Spring Awakening cast members Perry Sherman, Jake Epstein, and Christy Altomare sing Flume by Bon Iver at a cabaret in Washington, DC.

Some audio captures of Jake as Melchior:
Touch Me (7/8/09 - Jake as Melchior and Krista Pioppi (u/s) as Thea - Tour Cast - Washington D.C.)
Those You've Known (7/8/09 - Jake Epstein's Second Show as Melchior - Tour Cast - Washington, D.C.)
Left Behind (7/8/09 Tour - Washington, D.C. - Jake Epstein's Second Show As Melchior)

If there is an interest, I can convert any of these into MP3 format. Just ask. What about screen captures? I can grab those as well. Something tells me that Spring Awakening is about to get it's own category in the gallery. So much Jake!

And a Dog Sees God extra:

Note: This song will haunt you. You will be working in Target and all of a sudden your brain will belt out "And that's when your dog, I said, that's when your dog sees God." Right Joa of sel-online.net? Or maybe you'll awaken from sleep and the first thought in your head isn't "I have to pee" or "I'm never drinking again." No. It's "That's when your dog, I said, that's when your dog, I said that's when your dog sees God." Thank you Jake Epstein and Alex Saslov for driving us insane for at least two weeks. That being said, here's the MP3.

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The Degrassi Goes Hollywood soundtrack was released on Itunes last week in the US. It hits Canadian Itunes on the 11th and the physical CD will be released there on the 25th. But if you are in the US, today it's available for physical purchase as a CD. Here's a link to it on Amazon.com for those who are interested. Jake has two tracks on the album: Swan Song and Rescue You. (Shhhh Rescue You has already leaked on YouTube.) Both sound great but I must say it all makes me miss Degrassi's original songbird Ashley Kerwin/Melissa McIntyre. I've still got my fingers crossed for an eventual release of all the songs the cast has performed over the years..."Shine," "Mr. Nice Guy," "Dust (What I Know)," and "Nothing At All." For more songs performed by Degrassi's rockstars check out the audio page here at craig-ashley.com!

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