CD time!

So, after performing three successful cabarets in a row last year over the span of about a month something dawned on me. I don't have a CD. And I think I really really need one. So I decided to change that. Since the summer I have been collaborating with renowned jazz singer/pianist and PRODUCER John Alcorn to create what I think is going to be an amazing product. Stay tuned for the release in the spring which will include a big CD release party/concert and a complete revamp of my website. Are you excited? You should be. You know I am.
Cheers!

From Babs to Sally Brown... here's the story of my summer...

Hello!
Well this summer has certainly been shaping up nicely. Most recently I completed a short run of one of my favourite shows, "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" where I got to play one of the more interesting characters written for the stage, Sally Brown. I had an absolute blast. I have been wanting to do this show for a long time and was thrilled when Christopher Wilson at Da Capo Productions asked me to be a part of it. Stay tuned to find out where we will be performing it next.
Coming up in August I've got a real treat for you. Back by popular demand, Jeni Walls will be performing her "Liza Live" cabaret at Statler's on Church St. But this time, she has company-- the amazing Ms. Barbra Streisand... aka: yours truly)
Come see these two divas belt it out Tuesday August 25th... 8pm. Visit statlersonchurch.com to reserve tickets!

And stay tuned for a very exciting show happening in September... it may or may not involve songs from a high school mix CD of mine, and it may or may not involve my slightly famous brother back for a short while from his stint with the Spring Awakening U.S. tour.

Also, please excuse the lack of updates on my resume/about/photos section... I'll be getting a new website in October and will have everything updated then.

Cheers and enjoy the "medium" weather!
Gabi

Napoleon! Stellaluna! Sharron's Party!

Hello all,
So, it's been a great few months of solo cabarets... but the musical theatre stage has called me back! I am currently performing in the concert version of the Canadian epic "Napoleon" by Andrew Sabiston and Timothy Williams. Holy moly we've got an amazing cast-- Adam Brazier, Blythe Wilson, Eric Craig, Kevin Dennis, Mark Harapiak, Andrew McAllister, Stephanie Martin, Jocelyn Howard, Elizabeth Beeler, Parris Graves... and lil' ol' me! I'm playing Clarice-- the young lover of this Canadian epic and if you can get yourselves out to Barrie for this limited run this weekend (April 16th-18th) I highly recommend it. Oh, and don't expect any reviews from Richard Ouzounian because he's directing it! http://www.tift.ca/
Next, I'm booked to tour a musical based on the children's picture book Stellaluna for the month of May. I'm playing various characters in the story including Mama Bat and Mama Bird and we're be on the big ol' bus travelling across North America. The kiddies and I are together again!
And finally, (I couldn't quite get totally away from cabaret) I'm wrapping up the month by performing at the fabulous "Sharron's Party" hosted by the diva-licious Sharron Matthews. That'll be on the 25th and is a show not to be missed whether or not I'm performing!

Okay, that's it for now. I'll send reminders as it gets closer to the date. It's going to be a crazy month but I really can't wait.
Be in touch if you want to know ANYTHING Gabi-related!
Cheers :)

Who Knew They Were Siblings??

First off, I just wanted to thank EVERYBODY who came out to my Valentine's show this past Friday the 13th. There were cynical songs, many a horror-story, and oh yes-- lots of chocolate! All of the necessary elements for a Valentine's cabaret. The Jersey Boys and I had a great night!

And just like I had told everybody on the 13th, my next show is only 1 week away!! And this one is certainly not one to be missed. I will actually be performing a night of musical theatre and FOLK music with none other than my brother, Mr. Jake Epstein. Having just graduated from the National Theatre School and already having graced the Canadian stage in Dangerous Liasons and Ross Petty's Cinderella, Jake has been taking not only the Canadian television scene but also the theatre scene by storm. And now the Epsteins siblings are coming together for the first time EVER for this truly unique evening. "Who Knew They Were Siblings"-- Gabi and Jake Epstein LIVE at the Berkeley St. Theatre on Monday February 23rd! A mix of my musical theatre rep and Jake's original acoustic folk, along with some sweet tunes together, this show is going to be the event of the year. And who knows? You might even get some embarassing Epstein "sib" stories out of it. Accompanied by the lovely Lily Ling and the gorgeous Graeme Gerussi and hosted by Acting Up Stage Theatre Company, you are sure to get a truly special evening of sibling talent. It's an Epstein Extavaganza!
Here's the info again:
What: "Who Knew They Were Siblings?" -- Featuring Gabi and Jake Epstein
When: Monday February 23rd, 2009, 8pm
Where: Berkeley St. Theatre Downstairs (26 Berkeley St. -- South of Front East of Sherbourne)
Tickets: $15 (416)368.3110
More Info: www.actingupstage.com

As always I would absolutely LOVE to see you there!
Cheers,
Gabi

Friday the 13th + Valentine's Day = Gabi's next show!!

Hello everybody!
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Well, 2009 has begun... I know it's only January but with all that's coming up I think it's going to be a fantastic year!
Thank you all so much again for supporting Edges-- our wonderful show that got extended all the way until December. I always appreciate your ongoing support.
BUT... in true Gabi-form, there is always something new on the horizon. And this year it's going to begin with a series of fabulous cabaret-style concerts!
I am INCREDIBLY excited about the one coming up first. If anybody has ventured up north to see Jersey Boys at the Toronto Centre for the Arts, you may or may not have seen the giant Gabi poster displayed in the lobby... not to mention the inserts in the programme. This beautiful poster is advertising my Friday the 13th Valentine's Cabaret being performed in the Studio Theatre. Entitled "Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places", this will be an evening of seriously cynical songs and sad but true horror stories for anyone who has followed the rocky road to love...
I mean, come on-- when has there ever been a Friday the 13th Valentine's Day event?! This is a concert NOT to be missed.
For only $15 you will enjoy a whole night of entertainment by yours truly as well as an opening act by Patrick Brown-- another fabulous Toronto performer.
Here's the info again:
What: Gabi Epstein in "Looking for Love in all the Wrong Places" with special guest Patrick Brown
When: Friday February the 13th: Doors and Bar open at 7:15, Show starts at 8:15
Where: The Toronto Centre for the Arts, Studio Theatre (5040 Yonge St. Toronto)
How: Tickets by phone 416-872-1111 or in person at the box office
Online: http://www.studio5040cabarets.com/

It's sure to be an AMAZING night! I sincerely hope to see you there.
Cheers!

EXTEDGES!!

Alright Edges fans... your wishes have come true! Edges-- the fantastic musical I have been performing in since October has been EXTENDED until December 8th! That means you only have 2 more weekends-- that's 2 more Sundays at 7 and 2 more Mondays at 8 to see our beautiful show. We've been so fortunate to receive rave reviews and standing ovations for our show and I would absolutely love it if you could come and see it. This really is your last chance to make sure you come on out!
Here are the details once again:
What: Edges-- A Song Cycle
Who: Gabi Epstein, Sara Farb, Jordan Bell, Eric Craig
Where: Revival Bar 783 College St. W (at Shaw)
When: Sundays at 7, Mondays at 8 until December 8th
Come on out for a great night in Little Italy. Where else can you grab a drink and see a critically acclaimed show? NOWHERE, THAT'S WHERE!
Hope to see you soon,
Gabi

Feeling "Edgy"

Hello Everybody!
Well... after a long and crazy and amazing 6 month stint on Disney Cruise Lines, I am finally back on land... And it feels great! Thank you so much to everybody who came out to my farewell show last February and thanks to everybody for sending me a note on the ship every now and then. I always appreciate all of your love and support.

And after only 2 months of being back, I am fortunate enough to be advertising my next show! If you remember just over a year ago I performed a show that I co-produced with fellow cast mate Sara Farb called "Edges: A Song Cycle" by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Those of you who came out absolutely loved it claiming it was unlike anything you had ever seen before. WELL, your positive feedback as well as the unbelievable response we got from the Toronto community brought the show to the attention of Mitchell Marcus of Acting UpStage who is taking it on as part of the 2008/09 Acting Up season. (Very exciting!)
For those of you who have forgotten what the show is about, Edges is billed as "a fresh and hilarious rock song cycle about the trials and tribulations of moving into adulthood and the search for love, commitment and meaning. Edges explores contemporary life from first jobs, to first loves, to first Facebook friends. It's funny, poignant, and deliciously honest with an irresistible contemporary rock/pop score by the winners of the 2007 Jonathan Larson Award for songwriting."

In the spirit of innovative contemporary musical theatre, this show is being performed in a unique way. Instead of putting the show in a theatre 8 shows a week we are performing Edges at the Revival Bar-- a beautiful live music venue at College and Shaw just 2 nights a week-- Sundays at 7pm and Mondays at 8pm starting next Monday October 20th!

The show is only on for a limited time so be sure to visit www.edgestoronto.com to book your tickets. Also on our fancy website is a link to our special Edges Facebook profiles, as well as our blogs. And if you click on the "YouTube" box, you can check out 2 out of our 5 "webisodes"-- all Edges, all the time!

Here's all of the info once again:
What: "Edges: A Song Cycle"
Where: Revival Bar (783 College St. W at Shaw)
When: Sundays at 7pm and Mondays at 8pm from October 20th to November 10th
Tickets: General admission-- $25 for adults and $15 for students with a valid student ID
Contact: www.edgestoronto.com to book tickets and for all the info you need including directions, tickets and surrounding restaurant info.

Come on out to spend a night out in Little Italy, see friends, have a drink, and best of all to see a fantastic show.
I sincerely hope to see you all soon!
:)