Rebecca Gayheart-Dane Finds Strength in Family and New ‘Jawbreaker’ Musical

Six months after the death of actor Eric Dane following his battle with ALS, Rebecca Gayheart-Dane and their two daughters are continuing to navigate their grief while embracing a new chapter in their lives.

Gayheart-Dane, 55, told E! News that life remains difficult for the family, but said they are moving forward. “It’s really a season of growth for all of us,” she said. “Life is hard for us right now. But we are getting through, and we are soldiering on.”

The actress is also returning to work with the musical adaptation of her 1999 dark comedy Jawbreaker. After taking several years away from acting to raise her daughters, Billie, 16, and Georgia, 14, Gayheart-Dane said the project is an opportunity to show her children the importance of pursuing new challenges, even during difficult times.

“I took many years off to be a stay-at-home mom,” she said. “Now it’s really important for me to do this musical and show my kids that this is, number one, what we do as women. We go back to work. We say yes to things that are scary.”

Although Gayheart-Dane acknowledged that she is “not a singer,” she said she enjoys stepping outside her comfort zone. She will play Principal Sherwood in Jawbreaker The Musical, which she believes is a natural fit for the story’s campy tone.

“I really believe that this movie needs to be turned into a musical,” she said. “It’s so campy. It was made to be a musical.”

The musical follows three high school girls who accidentally kill their friend during a prank involving a jawbreaker. Gayheart-Dane said audiences can expect unexpected music and a fresh take on the original story while retaining its timeless appeal.

Jawbreaker The Musical is scheduled to run at Hollywood’s Hudson Backstage Theatre in Los Angeles from Sept. 4 through Sept. 20.