All in a day's work
Kevin Cornell reports to work to hear catcalls, screams and cheers by enthusiastic women.
It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.
Some might think that statement facetious for a member of the Chippendales dancers, but the work that goes into dance training, acting and physical fitness – that is, those washboard abs – is extensive.
Some of the men follow the PX90 program, others do yoga.
“I lift heavy weights and cardio,” Cornell said. “Just doing the show every night is a workout.”
The men adhere to a carefully controlled diet, which means no junk food. But then there’s all those cheering women.
Chippendales was founded in 1979 as entertainment for women. The company tours in 25 countries and has a regular show at the Rio hotel in Las Vegas.
Cornell joined the Chippendales dancers more than eight years ago.
“Oddly enough my mother got me involved in this,” he said. “I thought she was crazy.”
Mom saw a Chippendales show and thought her son – with his long, blonde hair and athletic build – would be perfect.
“I never thought of myself in that situation,” Cornell said. “She wouldn’t leave it alone.”
But Mom was right – the folks at Chippendales immediately liked the long-hair look when they saw Cornell at an audition in Los Angeles.
Sports such as football and baseball gave him the right physique, but Cornell needed a crash course in dancing.
“For the show, dance is really important,” he said. “I couldn’t dance at all – I was terrible.
“They really take into account personality.”
After three months of intensive dance training in New York, Cornell started off in a small role with Chippendales, greeting women as they entered the venue and performing one or two numbers during each show. About a year later, he was a regular.
The show features the men performing as firefighters, musicians, cowboys and military officers, creating a fantasy on stage.
“There’s definitely a lot of acting in the show, but there’s times to be yourself,” Cornell said.
The men don’t just stay on stage – dancers are available for autographs and often attend after parties.
“Chippendales are usually very accessible,” Cornell said.
And usually a few lucky women get to be part of the show every night.
The Chippendales dancers perform July 11, 7:30 p.m., at the Port Theatre. Tickets $39. Please call 250-754-8550 or visit www.porttheatre.com.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com
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