BWW Interviews: Talking with DANI GIRL's Gabi Epstein

Dani Girl is an exciting new musical by New York writers Christopher Dimond and Michael Kooman, and it is opening in Toronto this weekend.  The writing pair have been dubbed one of the hottest duos currently on the theatre scene, and won the prestigious Jonathan Larson Award in 2010 for their work. Dani Girl enjoyed a successful run in Barrie through Talk is Free Theatre last year, and is back this month as a co-production with Show One Productions.  Gabi Epstein returns in the lead role of Dani, and she is joined by Jonathan Logan (who was also in the Barrie production), Jeff Madden and Amanda LeBlanc. The show will once again by directed by Toronto Star theatre critic Richard Ouzounian.

Dani Girl tells the story of a nine year old girl battling terminal cancer, and examines how she uses music, humour and imagination to cope with her illness.  The intermission-less show occurs largely within Dani’s imagination, and employs various fictional characters and games to explore the serious themes and events that transpirer.  Hailed as “touching, lively and humourous” the show promises to make you laugh and cry, while providing a unique insight into the mind of a child.

BWW is thrilled to be profiling some of the people involved in this production, including Gabi Epstein who returns to the role of Dani.  Gabi took some time to talk with us about what the journey has been like for her, committing to a difficult role, and why Dani Girl is the type of show that will appeal to people of all ages:

Congratulations on the return of Dani Girl! How are rehearsals going so far?

It's interesting because it's very much the same (as last year) and at the same time different.  We have less time to rehearse than we had in Barrie and we have two people who already have a grasp of the work, but we also have two brand new actors. They’re brilliant actors and it changes the dynamic.  We could do the exact same things as we did last year but it wouldn’t be right, and it wouldn’t be natural.  So while a lot of things remain the same, equal amounts are changed and different.  It’s challenging for me because my brain is trying to remember last year’s show and learn the new stuff.  It’s challenging me a lot to not just go on auto-pilot from what I did last year but instead really rethink my scenes and listen to the characters.  It’s been a great exercise for me to do all of these scenes with new people because it’s like starting from scratch but with a good handle on the character. 

How much of a show like this do you remember after a year?

I have a stupid brain! I actually remember a lot really well.  I was a bit surprised because when we were going through the blocking again I would hold the script but I realized that I didn’t really need it because it’s so in my body from last year.  Especially when I would go through a scene with Jono (who is also returning) we would remember 90 percent of it.  That’s also why it’s hard to add new people because you remember but you also have to change things.  It’s been a great brain exercise.

You have Jeff Madden coming into the role that was played by your brother (Jake Epstein) last year.  How does that affect your take on the character of Dani?

He’s doing such a great job.  Not only is he coming into a remount and a shorter rehearsal process but his role is a really tough role and it’s impressive what he’s done in such a short time.  He has to play at least ten different characters.  When I did it with my brother last year we played the two characters as siblings in a way because it felt very natural and it worked for the material.  It fit well to act that way and we had a natural chemistry between us.  With Jeff I have to take a different approach to Dani’s relationship with his characters.  I had to get to know him as an actor before I could establish that comfort level with him as my imaginary friend.  I think it works really well to have that character a bit older than Dani because he’s guiding her through the story, he gives her a lot of tough love in order to teach her the lessons she needs to learn.  So I think it’s good for my character to have an older actor in that role.

The show deals with some very heavy subject matter but is ultimately a comedy.  That said, is it still a bit of a tear-jerker?

Absolutely. It’s this story of a nine year battling leukemia in a hospital which is the undertone through the whole show.  So even though it’s a comedy the games all involve that theme.  We play “barbershop” where my head gets shaved.  So it’s this funny French barbershop scene with this comical over the top ParisIan Barber but the game is that I lose my hair because I’m going through chemotherapy.  That’s where comedy and the reality of the situation come together.  I think it’s quite brilliant the way it’s done using these games to teach Dani these lessons.  The characters are so funny and they will make people laugh, but ultimately the lesson in each game takes the audience back to that underlying theme.

The show has no intermission and you never leave the stage.  That seems like quite the exercise in endurance...

It really is!  I don’t think that it would work as well for me if I left the stage because everything that is happening to my character just builds through the whole show.  Everyone who comes into her life and everything that happens to her becomes part of her subconscious.  It’s all about the relationships that she has with her imaginary friend, and with her hospital friend Marty and with her Mom.  None of the other characters have relationships with each other.  Ultimately I think it’s a great exercise for me because the character of Dani can’t leave the situation and what is happening to her, as much as she might want to. I think it builds the character really well that she doesn’t get a break because it is breaking her down by the end. 

For young aspiring actors a big fear is what happens when something goes wrong on stage. Since you don’t have the chance to leave the stage, what do you if something goes wrong? How do you ensure you are fully committed to the role?

Everybody is there with you, they are there supporting you on stage and you need to remember that.  When we did it in Barrie I was quite sick for opening so since I couldn’t leave the stage we made sure that I had moments where I could drink water and blow my nose because that’s what we had to do.  Ultimately if things go wrong and the show has to stop then the show has to stop - but I think the most important thing is that it is such an exercise in concentration in the best possible way.  You have to exercise that skill and just stay in the moment as much as you can and ultimately realize that “the show must go on” mantra rings true. My biggest piece of advice would be to just trust yourself and trust your fellow actors and use it as an exercise in concentration – it will come in handy for the rest of your life as well.

What is it like working with Richard (Ouzounian) as a director? You have this person who has critiqued your work in the past and very well may critique you again – does that affect the dynamic between director and actor?

Luckily in the past he’s never actually given me a bad review which is probably good *laughs*  The reason he is regarded as one of the most respected theatre critics in Canada is because he has so much experience in the theatre, mostly as a director but also as an actor.  He’s so knowledgeable about this art so he comes to the table with so much passion for theatre and directing.  I think as an actor you should use his experience as a critic to your advantage, and remind yourself that when he gives you notes they are the same things he would be thinking as a critic, and therefore they are probably really good notes! Plus he’s really open to working with us on in a collaborative way and making sure we are comfortable on stage.  And hopefully he loves me so much that he won’t give me a bad review in the future!

Finally, what would you say to encourage a younger audience to come and see the show?

Anything that’s through the eyes of a younger person will appeal to a younger audience.  I feel like a superhero at times because this character saves the day in many ways. It’s everybody’s childhood dream to do the things that Dani is doing, she just happens to be going through a terminal illness as well.  But if you’ve ever wanted to be in a fairytale or fight evil or go on crazy adventures then they will relate to Dani and her journey.  I think that everybody has felt a bit like they are the masters of their own destiny at some point, and everyone has played an imaginary game at some stage in their life.  The stakes are higher for Dani, but it’s very relatable.  In addition the relationship between Dani and Marty (her friend in the hospital) is so real and I think everyone can relate to their story of bonding.  Plus in the end, good wins.  The young person wins and I think that everyone wants to see that.

When and Where?

Dani Girl

Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace

16 Ryerson Ave., Toronto

Performance Schedule:

February 16 – March 4, 2012

Monday to Saturday at 7:30PM (except Tuesday); Matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2 PM

Tickets are $33 plus HST and service fee. They can be purchased through Arts Box Office at www.artsboxoffice.ca or (416) 504-7529

 For more information please visit www.tift.ca.