Description

Juli Auclair talks to Pearce Bunting, who plays in the Broadway Show 'Mamma Mia', about being a Dad and a performer on Broadway.

Transcript

Juli Auclair: The hit Broadway Show, Mamma Mia! is about a mother, her daughter, and 3 possible dads. Well, one of those men, actor, Pearce Bunting, just happens to be a dad in real life, and don't be fool by his character because he is loving every minute of it. We have the chance to sit down with him and talk about how his juggling thing of Broadway star and a devoted husband and still finds time for his adorable little boy, Milo. Juli Auclair: Is it worth for the height and age difference? You might never know who do the real kid is the Bunting household. Pearce Bunting: We do this thing in here where we'll be sitting on the sofa and who'll be in the kitchen, some will do the silly walking. Juli Auclair: Once you get to know Broadway star, Pearce Bunting, you realize he's a big-kidded heart who likes to play just as much as his 4-year-old son, Milo. Pearce Bunting: It's kind of slow and sticky. So I did and buy him toys that I wanna play with. I totally do, I mean, I know a lot of fathers do that. Male Speaker: Okay, so this is it. Juli Auclair: And some of them end up in his dressing room, backstage with Smash Hit, Mamma Mia! And his dispensers, tiny statues, even a G.I. Joe. Pearce Bunting: We both have life that I care and they're both stunts, like us. Juli Auclair: Pearce's playful nature is just one of the many qualities that makes him such a good dad. Pearce Bunting: Alright, Milo, come on! One hit, then it's daddy's turn, come on buddy! I also knew I would be a dad, and I'm-- I always wanted to have a chance to be one. I've always loved kids. Stephanie Halleen; He's made for it, he's all heart, he's all, he's so intimate with the kid, and it makes me very jealous. Juli Auclair: The best part of being a dad, what is the best part? Pearce Bunting: Having somebody who loves you so much, like having your-- 100% to the moon fun club, but I don't want anything more in my life for my son. I really don't and I never thought anything like this right before. Juli Auclair: What he has always felt is the desire to be a dad, but it wasn't easy for Pearce and his wife, Stephanie, they tried for 6 years before turning to in vitro, they called Milo their miracle baby. Juli Auclair: So, here you are, playing the part of a man who does not want to have a child-- Pearce Bunting: I guess the miracle thrown on him, yeah. I didn't even want it, and now, and then likes it. I'm a guy who always wanted and looked like he wasn't gonna have it, and now he's got it, and it's sitting right here in my lap. Juli Auclair: Pearce, who, believe it or not, turns 50 next March just having the time of his life right now with Milo and Steph, and on stage, but his plate is full, so he tries his best to balance 8 performances a week and family life, helping Steph out whenever he can. Pearce Bunting: I come home and relieve her between shows. I spent a lot of time with them in the morning and trying and give her time off. Juli Auclair: On this day, there is plenty of time to play and shares some quiet time. Pearce Bunting: She had to ask her father for a gorilla. Juli Auclair: Before heading to the theater, just a few city blocks away, his daily walk under the Marquis and through the stage door hasn't gotten old. Pearce is loving every minute of his first run on Broadway. Pearce Bunting: That's stage door to me represents-- you remember the club, you can go in and you can get away from the casts, but you are also in their doing this thing that all these people are coming to see. Juli Auclair: Pearce still remembers the first time he stood on a Broadway stage. Pearce Bunting: And I looked at there and-- I've never seen-- a more beautiful side of my life. I like--I had this-- I mean, that was a one moment deal that I knew, I'm here, I'm on Broadway. Juli Auclair: Minutes before the curtain rises, Pearce takes me on a backstage tour. Pearce Bunting: That's the green room up there, which is kind of a lounge area. Here's my dresser, Jim. Hey, Jim! Jim: Hi! Juli Auclair: Hi Jim! His dressing room is filled with pictures. One of Pearce's favorites, Steph giving Milo his bath. He keeps this one around because he can always be there at bath time. Pearce Bunting: I can't stop looking at this kid even if I want to. Juli Auclair: Pearce still marvels at how far he's come since he started acting almost 40 years ago. He says he was drawn to the theater when he wasn't fitting it in school. Pearce Bunting: And people might make fun of us, but we got to got out there and hundreds of people would come and watch us perform, and it's what I love about theater now. It's a huge family. Juli Auclair: Even with the support of his theater family, Pearce went through some tough times, eventually turning to drugs, but he got into rehab and got sober, 16 years ago, that's when his career started turning around. Pearce Bunting: Then, this long extraordinary series of jobs happened to me that were beyond my wildest dreams'. Juli Auclair: And the part started rolling in. Then, he signed on his host of a travel show on the Discovery Channel. After a two-year run with the traveling casts of Mamma Mia, he landed the role on Broadway in 2006. Audio playing: Oh yeah, and I have met my destiny in quite a similar way. Juli Auclair: Milo loves to watch his dad perform. He often stops by the theater to catch the finale. Pearce Bunting: Hey, all of a sudden I had this guy caring about me, and what I did--and what do you have there? Juli Auclair: During our tour, Pearce's favorite spot backstage, he talks about Milo following in his footsteps. Pearce Bunting: If he wants to be an actor, the only thing that I would hope is that we were get to be in a play together, that would blow my mind. Juli Auclair: Speaking of plays, Pearce has got one to do right now in this glitty costume. How much is this belt weigh? Pearce Bunting: I don't know, about 800 pounds and those are my platform shoes---- Juli Auclair: This is---- Pearce Bunting: Because this is I'm sure will -- Juli Auclair: Look at this! Pearce Bunting: You can't do either without a blink. Juli Auclair: No, you certainly can't. He is so talented, isn't he? Pearce, thank you so much for inviting me into your home and backstage. I have the best time, and Milo is just the cutest. Thanks for watching Parents TV. I'm Juli Auclair. Stay tune for more Broadway Moms and Dads, coming your way, real soon.