Before Chris Bauer was the sheriff, Andy Bellefleur, in our favorite HBO show True Blood he was in the Atlantic Theater Company playing some very dramatic roles. His wife Laura Bauer, who is a costume designer, was also a member. Chris is back with the Atlantic Theater Company in a production called What Rhymes With America. Here is a description of his character in the play:
“A depressed dad headed for a bitter divorce who juggles relationships with three women: his teenage daughter, an aspiring actress he befriends, and a quirky woman with whom he feels a romantic spark.”
So Broadway.com was able to sit down with Chris and talk about What Rhymes With America, and what we all want to know more about…True Blood.
So since it’s been awhile since he’s been on stage what made him want to work on this play?
“I felt like the human atmosphere of the play, the emotional landscape, was full of grief and intense desire for connection and people’s best attempts to live the life they feel they deserve. Those themes were so human and so compelling, it was like a pool I had to jump in.”
How does it feel to be the only guy casted in the production?? Are the ladies treating you okay?
“They’re treating me so well! I think each of them is uniquely perfect for their role. And all three of them have taught me so much about coming together for a common purpose.”
Since he has done both onstage and TV/Film we want to know what does he like about preforming onstage versus TV/Film?
“The thing I love the most is that everybody’s under one roof – the cast, the creative staff, the ushers, the house managers, the audience – and we’re all having the experience at the same time. It may not be the same experience, but it’s happening at the same time. And that convergence of people is so gratifying; it’s what creates meaning out of those two hours.”
So when he signed up to do the show called True Blood did he ever think the show would be this much of a success or that his character would be a fan favorite?
“No, I had no idea where the show or Andy was going to go. Like everybody else, the only material I had was the pilot script. My wife, interestingly enough, was the one who said, “You have to do this show. This show’s going to be a hit.” I make a joke a lot that I do whatever she says but it’s true – she’s almost always right. That being said, it’s really cool to be heading into the sixth season and looking back seeing a character that really started off one-note, but as we left off in the fifth season, I’m the father of several babies born to a supernatural creature.”
What has been the craziest thing he has done on the show?
“From my perspective – I’m 46 years old – the craziest thing they asked me to do was take off my clothes. Especially with some of those guys I work with; you almost want to poke your finger in them to see if they’re actually computer generated, because they’re just these genetic specimens. So it was a little crazy. I doubled up on the physical trainer and cut out the carbs.”
We have to do what is his limit to what he would do on camera??
“I am the kind of actor who will do just about anything. However, I am really unable to do things that cause any duress in children. There was a scene in True Blood when I was addicted to vampire blood. I pull up to this shack in the cop car, screaming and running around, and there was a five-year-old boy, and extra [on the set], who didn’t know that was going to happen. He burst into tears and got so upset. I walked up to him and said, “You know this is all pretend, and this is going to be a really fun day. Watch me: Next time I’m going to scream even louder.” It actually turned into kind of a fun little connection. But I can’t do anything that freaks kids out. They’re too precious. I mean, my kids don’t even watch the show.”
Since 2013 is around the corner what is next for him?
“I will be going back to L.A. and jumping right back into season six of True Blood, and I’m on the board of Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor, so maybe we can put something together for me to do there next season. But the bottom line is, doing What Rhymes with America has just been a straight-up transfusion, and I’m really excited to see where that impulse to create takes me next.”
Looks like 2013 is going to be another busy year for him. Have you seen him in What Rhymes with America?? If so what did you think of it?? Also what do you think of where his character is going on True Blood?? Feel free to tell us below.
Source: Broadway.com – “Chris Bauer on Getting Naked on True Blood & Making Out with Da’Vine Joy Randolph in What Rhymes With America”
Image Credit: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images
