‘A Chorus Line’ heads to Houma

For one dancer, it’s like coming home

As a dancer in “A Chorus Line,” Matthew Couvillon performs before more people than live in his hometown of Forked Island, La.

With the touring company nearing its March 23 production at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, the 750 folks who call the Vermillion Parish hub home can join Tri-parish locals in witnessing Couvillon in action.

It will mark the first time the University of Louisiana at Lafayette graduate returns to the Bayou State as a full-fledged member of a touring production.

“That’s what’s so nice about this being a Broadway musical that travels,” the 24-year-old New York City transplant said. “With me being so far from home, I can share this experience with people back home who wouldn’t be coming out to New York to see any live theatre or production that I am involved with.”

After earning a bachelor’s degree in performing arts, Couvillon applied his concentration in dance professionally. In the Big Apple, he landed a summer-stock gig with the Cortland Repertory Theatre, dancing in “The Pajama Game” and “Brigadoon.”

The 8-week process – from rehearsal to closing – provided ample opportunity to hone his trade. And the days and nights spent performing one show while rehearsing for the next readied Couvillon for his next move.

Couvillon answered an open call for “A Chorus Line” tour and landed the role of Tom, one of the dancers cut from the first dance line. He also plays understudy to five characters: Mike, the jock; Larry, the choreographer’s assistant; Richie, the black dancer (lines are adjusted to account for Couvillon’s race); Bobby, a very eccentric storyteller; and Mark, the youngest auditioner.

“You really have to know the entire show,” Couvillon explained. “At any given moment, you’ll find out you have two hours to prepare to stand in for someone who’s sick or injured.”

In addition to knowing the script, standing in for another dancer requires knowing every nuance of the character and what marks to hit on the stage.

“It’s a lot, but after being with the production this long and doing the material again and again, your body begins to remember the moves naturally.”

The 9-month tour is nearing its end. After closing in New Jersey in May, the group will travel to Tokyo, Japan, for a month-long engagement.

Until then, the 20-plus cast members continue to travel by bus from city to city, state to state, retelling the story of 17 dancers looking for the chance of a lifetime – dancing in a Broadway production. To get there, they’ll first have to divulge their deepest secrets to director Zach. Ultimately, only eight will be selected.

“This really is like family,” Couvillon said of the tour cast and crew. “If you get upset with somebody, you have to take a moment and forgive them because they’re family.”

And as for Couvillon’s Louisiana family and friends, “they’re just excited to see me coming home again and getting to do what I love doing – dancing.”

Where: Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, 346 Civic Center Blvd., Houma

When: March 23, curtain at 7:30 p.m.

Cost: $35 to $60

For More Info: www.houmaciviccenter.com or call (985) 850-4657