Every third Wednesday of the month, a fabulous actor/singer/dancer fills out contributor Tom Mizer’s nosey little questionnaire and offers a glimpse of what he looks like from a bit closer than the mezzanine. For October, we’re using up one of our three wishes to meet…
Bobby Pestka. Image via Bobby Pestka.
Name: Bobby Pestka
Hometown: Born in the Philippines and grew up in Phoenix, Arizona
Current show/role: Aladdin / Ensemble
The best part of the show I’m working on now is: Being a working actor. Having a set schedule and going to work every day to a great group of people and doing what I love most. To catch a dream and live it.
The most challenging job in show business I ever had was: During my senior year in high school, I landed my first professional job as a “swing” in Legends In Concert, a Las Vegas show based in Waikiki, Hawaii. I was going to school half day and performing two shows each night. I remember squeezing in homework whenever I could… on the bus, between shows and even backstage at times. I couldn’t wait for Graduation Day to arrive, so then I could just focus on dancing.
If I wasn’t a performer, I would be: Renting kayaks to tourists or running my own beach bar on some beautiful island.
If I could be any Disney character for a day (other than Aladdin), I would want to be: Ariel from The Little Mermaid. Oh, to be a part of that (underwater) world! lol Yes, definitely, Ariel!
Bobby Pestka. Image via Bobby Pestka.
The best post-show cocktail in New York City is: Anyplace that serves great Sangria! Sosa Borella and Empanada Mama in Hell’s Kitchen come to mind. Lately, though, my post show go-to-spot has been Bea, also in HK. Really great atmosphere.
After you’ve hit all the traditional sites of New York City, you should totally go to: Astoria! I have always had a fondness for this neighborhood. So diverse… with amazing food and restaurants.
Bobby Pestka. Photo by Bill Bustamante.
If I could live anywhere else in the world it would be: Somewhere by the Mediterranean Sea. I love that entire region, so perhaps Greece or Italy.
Beach, mountains or city? Beach, hands down!
My workout “secret” is: Always staying active. I believe in the saying “a body in motion, stays in motion.” I try to adjust my workouts to the show I am doing at that time. With Aladdin being so cardio heavy, I tend to focus more on weight training at the gym to maintain muscle.
When I’m looking for a date, nothing attracts me more than: Kindness. I am attracted to people who are respectful and good-natured. And to meet someone who is attractive AND treats others well? That’s a huge turn on.
My favorite website to visit that you may not have heard of is: Lonelyplanet.com I have an immense love and passion for travel. I enjoying reading up on “the top things to do” in different cities around the world. My favorite way to travel is cruising. For me, there is nothing better than being out in the open sea and waking up each morning in a different port or country.
Bobby Pestka. Image via Bobby Pestka.
Board shorts, speedo or skinny dip? The island boy in me prefers board shorts.
People would be surprised to learn that: The top FIVE shows on my DVR list I never get tired of are Chopped, Judge Judy, The Golden Girls, Forensic Files and anything on The Travel Channel.
When I was 10, I wanted to be: One of The Goonies. You can probably guess which one… Data. 🙂
Ten years from now I’d like to be: Healthy, happy and growing old with someone I love.
The most embarrassing Halloween costume I ever wore was: Probably the time my nephew and I went out trick-or-treating dressed up as little old ladies. I did his make-up and he did mine. Needless to say, we looked hideous. We looked more like clowns in drag than anything else.
Ride the magic carpet with Bobby and his fellow castmates in the smash hit Aladdin, now at the New Amsterdam Theater in New York City.