With 'Biceps to Spare,' Audiences Swoon For Actor Patrick Gover in Toby's "Beauty and the Beast"

Photo Credit: Jeri Tidwell Photography

Actor Patrick Gover gleefully flexes his villainous muscles as Gaston in Toby's Dinner Theatre's production of the beloved Disney classic "Beauty and The Beast." Running now through Sunday, June 16th, the tale as old as time is just another in a long line of stellar performances for the Howard County-native. Gover, whose works include Toby's "Jimmy Buffett's Escape to Margaritaville," "Something Rotten," "Ghost," and "Rocky: The Musical" recently chatted about the production. 

Photo Credit: Jeri Tidwell Photography

Frankie Kujawa: What can audiences expect from this performance of "Beauty and the Beast"?
Patrick Gover: (Laughing) They can expect ‘a tale as old as time!’ But, honestly, I think they can expect an amazing performance.  There’s a showstopper in just about every number.  We have a amazing cast for this production, which includes some returning performers and new ones, as well.  Everyone really fits the bill for the character that they’re portraying.  The Disney magic really comes to life with this performance. 

Frankie Kujawa: Could you describe what physically went into preparing for the role of Gaston?
Patrick Gover: Looking physically at the role of Gaston and who he was; he basically was an attractive guy who was very well-built.  So, for me it was like going back into training in a similar way as to what I did for the role of ‘Rocky.’  But this time, however, there was less cardio.  Football was my original love, so I focused on football-style workouts to get prepared for the look in this production. Like Gaston, every morning I tried to eat 6 to 12 eggs or a pound of steak (laughs). So, I gained about 20 pounds of muscle. Then, the more I started rehearsing, I realized how much he’s showing his biceps off. So, for me, I started really focusing on my biceps and triceps to really get that 'Gaston' look.

Photo Credit: Jeri Tidwell Photography

Frankie Kujawa: Was there anything mentally that went into preparing for the role?
​Patrick Gover: I was definitely stepping into a different confidence with this role...especially playing a bad guy.  I’ve never played the bad guy before. I usually play ‘the good guy.’  Gaston is able to get all these girls, but he just can’t seem to get through to Belle. Though he tries and tries, he just can’t seem to get her. So, I really used working out to get into a headspace to bring that level of confidence out on stage.  

Frankie Kujawa: Toby's Dinner Theatre is such a unique place for both performers and audiences to attend. In your opinion, what makes it such a special place?
Patrick Gover: What makes it special is the fact that Toby's is [theatre] in the round, as well as the fact it's not like every other theater where the audiences just come to see the show.  Our audiences come and eat and mingle with the waiters and other people there.  After that they get to see a show.  Then, at intermission, they'll  go, 'Oh wait, I think my waiter is performing that part.'  The audiences get a touch of theater magic when they come to Toby's.  ​

For more information on the performance: tobysdinnertheatre.com/shows/beauty-and-the-beast/