Brian Liebson did what a lot of people never do: get their robotics engineering degree. Then he did something completely different, and just as unattainable for many: he toured the country performing in “Hamilton.”
Words by Marc Graser
Images courtesy of Brian Liebson
“Everybody wants to be in Hamilton,” says the Manhattan Beach, California native, who now lives in New York City pursuing a career on Broadway. “I love L.A., but NYC is the place to be for musical theater.”
As an actor, Brian has traveled across the United States and Canada on the National Tours of Hamilton, Miss Saigon and Cinderella, where he performed on various stages including New York’s Radio City Music Hall and Honolulu’s Neal S Blaisdell Center. He can also be seen in several music videos, including Olivia Rodrigo’s Sour Prom, and will appear in a short dance film by choreographer Josh Zacher.
Brian grew up watching shows at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood, so when Miss Saigon booked several dates there, he fulfilled a dream to perform on stage in front of friends and family. “That was pretty incredible,” he says.
Landing Hamilton, one of Broadway’s biggest blockbusters, was no easy feat, of course. “I had been auditioning for the show for several years,” Brian says. “I understudied every role. I demonstrated that I was capable of doing that, which few people can do. It was a tremendous effort with an insane amount of work that very few people will ever truly understand.
“Hamilton is definitely one of my favorite shows that I’ve gotten the opportunity to perform,” he adds. “It is a long, intense show, with a lot of words and a lot of choreography. Every show feels like a huge accomplishment once we get to the bows, and the audiences always love it, which makes our jobs onstage easier and more fulfilling.”
Brian has always been ambitious, finding inspiration in his own drive to represent and diversify what he’s found to be a white-centric career.
I feel strong obligations to push myself to be my best so I can be out there to make space for future generations. I’m inspired to create a future where we can really diversify the stage.”
“I feel strong obligations to push myself to be my best so I can be out there to make space for future generations. Being hapa (of Asian and/or Pacific Islander descent), there are already few Asians on stage, and even less that look like me. I’m inspired to create a future where we can really diversify the stage.” Brian’s heritage is half-Japanese, half-German.
Performing for 17 years, and professionally for eight, Brian has long had a love for theater, even while studying for his Bachelors of Science in Robotics Engineering from Olin College, in Needham, Massachusetts. “Life finds a way, and in every setting of my life, I’ve continued to find opportunities to perform whether it be professionally or in volunteer community theater,” he says. “I love the community effort to make a group project for people to enjoy. It’s beautiful.”
Life finds a way, and in every setting of my life, I’ve continued to find opportunities to perform whether it be professionally or in volunteer community theater.”
In case Brian wasn’t ambitious enough, he launched his own clothing brand, David Swimwear, out of a response to his frustrations of finding high quality, simple, classy swimwear made of eco-friendly and responsible materials. “My goal was to provide for others what I was searching for myself,” he says.
But musical theater remains Brian’s true passion. Wicked is his favorite show because it’s a “perfectly constructed musical with incredible sets, costumes, design, choreography, performances, and direction.”
Brian has spent four years touring three times since 2016, and calls it “the best and worst experience of your life,” due to grueling schedules. “Sometimes we arrive into the city at 4 p.m., drop off bags at the hotel and shower, then head to the theater for one show,” he says. “Then we’ll get up at 6 a.m. and drive to the next city. That’s hard. Other times, we have a full week, or even a full month, or even six months.”
I am a big proponent of trying anything once, so I am sometimes overly ambitious about trying to do everything that I can.”
Still, he finds time to explore any city he’s in. “I am a big proponent of trying anything once, so I am sometimes overly ambitious about trying to do everything that I can,” he says. That could mean architecture boat tours, scuba diving, corn mazes, rodeos, even standing on the edge of Toronto’s tallest tower.
When Brian does get some downtime, he always checks Groupon. “It usually gives me good suggestions of what sights I should prioritize seeing and what other people are looking for in each city,” he says. “I usually try to find a gay bar and go make friends with the locals. I always try to support the local drag scene in every city.”
Of the places Brian has visited, Louisville, Kentucky, impressed him the most. “I swear it has the best gay bar in the world, Play Louisville (the better bar to its sister Play Nashville). Incredible drag, incredible venue, and incredible guys.”
He also recommends Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, in Vancouver, a city he describes as “a beautiful, more modern and homely mix of Seattle and Chicago” that has incredible hiking and nature. But Honolulu remains his favorite city. “Growing up in LA, I’m a huge fan of any body of water,” he says. “Hawaii has the best food, scuba diving, and snorkeling. I actually have a deep connection to Hawaii, and have visited many times in my life. It is my favorite place in the world.”
Since most theaters are located in urban centers, Brian will often find time to explore the outdoors. “I try to get outside as much as possible,” he says. “It’s hard to spend so much time inside a dark theater, so I think it’s healthy to get outside and get your mind off of your work sometimes.”
Travel opens your mind, and makes you a more empathetic person. I think travel reminds us all of how small we are, and how small our entire world can be sometimes.”
He understands the privilege of getting to see North America on tour. “Travel opens your mind, and makes you a more empathetic person,” he says. “I think travel reminds us all of how small we are, and how small our entire world can be sometimes. It’s always good to really zoom out and remind yourself that sometimes your problems are very small compared to grander things in the world. When I travel, I am reminded of the beauty in details, which I can then bring back to my own life to reset what I pay attention to.”
On his bucket list is seeing the Northern Lights one day. “It’s been my dream my entire life, and I know I’ll get to see them one day,” he says. For now, Brian will just have to settle for the lights of Broadway.
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