“Beauiful – The Carole King Musical” is an amazing journey through the life and music of Carole King. Most people don’t realize how much music she wrote before that earth shattering album, “Tapestry”, ever became reality. Liam Tobin plays Gerry Goffin, sometimes love interest, once a husband, sometimes co-creator, sometimes a pleasure and often a pain. The story follows Carole from teens to present in a spectacular presentation of music history. “Beautiful – The Carole King Musical” is playing tonight through October 30th at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre. Get tickets here. Liam Tobin took a couple of minutes to speak with Equality365 about the show.
Earle Dutton: How did you get started in theater?
Liam Tobin: I think I was about fifteen. My friends were part of a community theater show and they always talked about how much fun it was. So, I figured I would give it a try and I auditioned for the next show. I was in the community theater’s production of “Beauty and the Beast”. I decided if I could make a living at theater, I wouldn’t want to do anything else.
What attracted you to “Beautiful – The Carole King Musical”?
Well, I love the music. Everyone has a personal connection to so many of these songs. It was great to hear there is such a good story behind it as well. The troubled relationship between Carole and Gerry’s really adds to the story as well. It is just a really exciting project for me.
What is your favorite part of your character?
Hmm, that is a tough one. Gerry makes a lot of mistakes throughout the show but I think he has a very good heart. I think he wants to be a good person, father and friend. He trips up a lot along the way and that tends to send him spiraling down the rabbit hole quite a bit. I think that is what I really like about him. He is trying his best even when things aren’t going his way. He doesn’t always make the right decisions but I think I can really relate to that as well.
Does it bother you to play a character that isn’t really the most well thought of in the show?
It is actually a lot of fun. It is refreshing in a way because everybody is typecast in their own way. I usually play the star-crossed lover. It is nice to play a character that has a lot of depth and conflict within himself that you can also really sink your teeth into.
What is your favorite part of the show?
I think it has a much more profound impact on people than we realize. People just have such a good time at the show as well.
What has your favorite stop on the tour been so far?
Whoa, that is a really tough one. We all loved DC because we were at the Kennedy Center and that was a really great experience. LA was nice. I guess I would say that Denver was the high point. I am really excited to be in Seattle. It is my first time.
What’s the most fun or weirdest thing you have done during this tour that you can admit to publicly?
(Laughter) Well, a couple of us got our scuba diving certifications while we were in Florida. That was a lot of fun. Nothing too crazy yet. It hasn’t gotten too out of hand.
I read that you are also a pilot. Could you tell me a bit about that?
I am. I actually did that before we start rehearsals last summer. I got my private pilot’s license and I have been trying to do as much flying as I can as we travel around the country. It is pretty cool.
What is your dream role?
I love “Into the Woods”. It is my favorite show. I would like to play Cinderella’s Prince and the Wolf. That would be a dream for me.
Check out Liam Tobin in “Beautiful – The Carole King Musical” is playing tonight through October 30th at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre. Get tickets here. Don’t miss out!
