To young, aspiring thespians, the life of a New York chorus boy might seem like a glamorous, spotlight-and-sequin-filled dream. As it turns out, however, the able-bodied stars of Manhattan's theater world have to work twice as hard as they play.
As part of the emsemble cast of the 1960s-themed dance musical, "Trip of Love," Ian Campayno appears -- at alternate points in the show -- as a sexy surfer, a Woodstock-era flower child and, in one particularly woozy sequence, a hallucinogenic denizen of Alice's wonderland. But on days when the Off-Broadway hit has both a matinee and an evening performance, Campayno must adhere to a strict daily regimen to keep his energy level high.
That doesn't mean that he doesn't find time to have fun, too, particularly when his show hosts an enthusiastic audience.
"When I first saw the show, I was amazed at the visual journey you get to go on. Between the lights, the sets and, of course, the amazing costumes, there really is so much to look at and smile about," Campayno, 30, said of "Trip of Love," which opened in New York in October. "I think audiences enjoy the show because it is fun. Pure, enjoyable, fun."
Not surprisingly, regular gym time is a necessity for the Pittsburgh native, who now resides in Manhattan's East Village, and his cast mates in order to get through the two hours of "stylized, super athletic" dance routines in barely-there costumes twice a day.
The best part of the show, he said, "is the people. We are a family, and it's wonderful."
HuffPost Queer Voices asked Campayno, whose stage resume includes the Broadway production of "Mary Poppins," to take us through his routine on a typical two-performance day. Showcasing the work that happens behind the scenes of a big-scale musical, the actor shared 15 snapshots of his two-show day, and as you can see for yourself, it was equal parts sweaty, quirky and glam.
"Trip of Love" is now playing at New York's Stage 42. Head here for more details.
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