Rebecca Gayheart-Dane Returns to Stage After Husbands ALS Death, Stars in Jawbreaker Musical
After the devastating loss of her husband, Eric Dane, Rebecca Gayheart‑Dane has taken the first step back into the spotlight, this time as a teacher rather than a student. The former Jawbreaker actress will rehearse for the musical adaptation of the 1999 cult film at Los Angeles’ Hudson Backstage Theatre from September 4 to 20, 2026, playing the role of Principal Sherwood.
The workshop production marks a personal milestone for the 55‑year‑old, who had stepped away from acting for several years to raise her daughters, Billie, 16, and Georgia, 14. In an interview with E! News, Gayheart‑Dane said the role offers her a chance to “show my kids that women can return to work and say yes to new challenges, even when life is hard.” She added that, although she is not a singer, she is eager to step outside her comfort zone and embrace the musical’s demands.
The stage version reimagines Darren Stein’s 1999 black‑comedy crime film, in which a group of high‑school girls accidentally kill a friend during a prank involving a jawbreaker candy. Released by TriStar Pictures on February 19, 1999, the film has since earned a devoted cult following. Knot Free Productions is preserving the original’s campy tone while introducing new music, and the workshop format allows the creative team to refine the score and book before a full‑scale run.
Gayheart‑Dane’s return follows the death of her husband on February 19, 2026. Dane, 53, had publicly disclosed an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis in April 2025 and continued to work in television and film until his passing. He was best known for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy. In a separate interview, the actress reflected on how she and Dane had prepared their daughters for life’s challenges, stating, “We’ve tried to instill character, good decision‑making, safety, and boundaries from a young age.” She added that the family “has a good sense of what is safe and what is dangerous.”
The Hudson Backstage Theatre, a Hollywood venue with a 1930s‑style lobby and espresso bar renovated in 2023, has hosted a variety of productions in recent years, including the West Coast premiere of The Opposite of Love in 2026. Industry observers note that the Jawbreaker musical joins a growing list of 1990s film adaptations entering the theatre market over the past year. While the full‑cast list beyond Gayheart‑Dane’s role remains unannounced, tickets for the workshop run are expected to sell quickly due to the venue’s limited capacity. No release date for a potential Broadway or national tour has been disclosed.
In short, Rebecca Gayheart‑Dane is stepping back into the spotlight as Principal Sherwood in the Jawbreaker musical, a project that blends her acting history with a new creative challenge. The workshop will take place at the Hudson Backstage Theatre in Los Angeles from September 4 to 20, 2026, following the death of her husband, Eric Dane, who succumbed to ALS in February 2026.
