U.S. Army Soldier Show to unveil ‘Reveille: Answering the Call’

ARNEWS ^ | Tim Hipps

[SandRat]

FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Army News Service, May 2, 2006) – The 2006 U.S. Army Soldier Show will unveil “Reveille: Answering the Call” during a three-performance weekend May 5 through 7 at Wallace Theater.

“The entire idea came from the new Army motto: Call to Duty,” said Soldier Show director Victor Hurtado. “For our civilian audience, it may illustrate why people join. For our military audience, it might remind them why – what their initial reasons were and why they continue to serve.”

The bottom line, however, remains the same: “Entertainment for the Soldier, by the Soldier,” the working motto of Army Entertainment Division.

“We have some really strong voices and really strong performers, so you might see some flash and splash,” Hurtado said. “But you might be surprised by how powerful the ‘less is more’ is in the show, as well. Expect to find moments.”

The curtain is scheduled to open May 5 at 7:30 p.m. for the 90-minute song-and-dance extravaganza. Reservations are required for the May 6 performance. Opening weekend will conclude May 7 with a matinee at 2 p.m. Admission is free and seating is unreserved.

The 22-Soldier troupe then will embark on a six-month tour of about 100 performances on military installations across the United States, Italy and Germany.

Hurtado credits Army Entertainment Division’s 1st Sgt. Tarron Pierce for brainstorming the show’s starting point of reveille. He also relies on the creativity of 17 Soldier-performers and five technicians before weaving their artistic strengths into a military storyline.

“With a show like this, a lot of it has to say something, but not all of it has to say something because at the end of the day we also have to entertain,” Hurtado said. “Not every scene is going to start with the story of a Soldier. Sections of the show are just about new music or having a good time or just about fun.”

Hurtado is reluctant to reveal the complete storyline.

“So much of what the show is [about] will be illustrated at the beginning, but I really don’t want to give it away,” he said. “The show itself will fortify those bits and pieces.”

Rhythm and blues, gospel and country music will be featured, along with new renditions of tunes released since the 1960s, coupled with ballroom dancing aplenty.

“I’m looking for our staff to come up with some original lyrical content that will say exactly what we want to say,” Hurtado said. “We are an eclectic reflection of what comes to us at the moment. We’re not married to anything.”

Thirty to 40 songs were being considered a month before the opening show. The list of songs and scenes may not be finalized until opening night, Hurtado said.

Eight veterans of the Army’s Margaret “Skippy” Lynn Stars of Tomorrow Talent Contest and/or Military Idol are among the cast and crew that ranges in rank from private first class to captain.

Spc. Richard Sianoya of Fort Irwin, Calif., finished runner-up in the inaugural Military Idol competition. Spc. Serri Sheridan of Fort Polk, La., was best-of-show runner-up in the 2006 Stars of Tomorrow Contest and participated in Military Idol. First Lt. Sonya Moore of the California Army National Guard participated in both programs.

Sgt. Geno Nash of Fort Hood, Texas, and Spc. Adel Nammour of Yongsan, Korea, also competed in Stars of Tomorrow, along with Pfc. Jong Baek Yoon, a Korean augmentation to the U.S. Army. KATUSA Soldiers are fully integrated into a U.S. Army unit and live, work and train with their American comrades.

“I just wanted the guy to come and represent his unit but it’s turned into representing his entire country, the Republic of Korea,” Hurtado said.

Yoon already has performed at the Korean Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Other Military Idol contestants include Staff Sgt. Deneen Murray of Camp Humphries, Korea, and Spc. Lucky Tagaloa of Fort Hood.

Hurtado spotted Hawaii Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Samuel Hesch during auditions for “Miss Saigon” and noted that he bypassed a role in “Cats” to perform in the Soldier Show. Spc. Elisabeth Graham of Fort Jackson, S.C., is a violinist, and Spc. Nina Kazibwe, stationed in Kitzingen, Germany, is a pianist.

First Lt. Alisha Vaughn of Fort Stewart, Ga.; and Spcs. Maceo Keeling of Fort Lee, Va.; John Morris of Fort Huachuca, Ariz.; Alisha Osborne of the New York Army Reserves; Jessica Solorio of Wuerzburg, Germany; and Benjamin Piel of Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz., complete the list of performers.

Sgt. Kristen Austin of Fort Bliss, Texas, is the wardrobe technician. Capt. Christine Lancia of Fort Polk, La., serves as assistant stage manager. Sgt. Jemel Washington of Fort Lewis, Wash., handles video and audio. Spc. Daniel Murray of Fort Hood is an audio specialist. Spc. Bradford Cassels of Fort Bragg, N.C., mans the lights.

For the sixth consecutive year, the Army National Guard is the primary sponsor and partner of the U.S. Army Soldier Show, one of more than 50 programs provided to Soldiers and their families by the U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center. AT&T returns as a corporate sponsor for the third straight year.

Sgt. Irving Berlin wrote the first U.S. Army Soldier Show while on active duty at Camp Upton in Long Island, N.Y. “Yip Yip Yaphank” debuted on Broadway in 1918. During World War II, Berlin created another Soldier Show for Broadway: "This is the Army,” which inspired a 1943 movie starring Ronald Reagan.

(Editor's note: Tim Hipps writes for the U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center Public Affairs Office.)

[SandRat]

Patriots PING

[true_blue_texican]

Fort Hood ping... hope it comes near here!! (I'm in Waco, not military.)

[Tennessee_Bob]

For our military audience, it might remind them why – what their initial reasons were and why they continue to serve.

I joined for the glory and all that money. But I stayed for the excellent food.

[txroadhawg]

“The entire idea came from the new Army motto: Call to Duty,”

It's about time for a new motto, I never liked the 'Army of one'

[E.G.C.]

BTTT