Soldier Show coming to Natick

By John Harlow/USAG-Natick Public AffairsMay 14, 2015

Soldier Show coming to Natick
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

NATICK, Mass. (May 14, 2015) -- Natick Soldier Systems Center, Army Entertainment, and the Town of Natick have joined together to host the U.S. Army Soldier Show at Natick High School on May 22 at 6 p.m.

The free performance would be a perfect start to your Memorial Day weekend.

This year's production, "We Serve," explores elements of what it means to serve, in and out of uniform, as well as how our country, in return, serves those who do serve.

The Soldier Show is a high-energy, 60-minute, live musical production that showcases the talents of Soldiers who were selected by audition from active-duty, Reserve and National Guard Soldiers. These Soldiers have a passion for music, dance and performing, and they come from a wide range of military occupational skills.

The modern version of the U.S. Army Soldier Show originated in 1983 as an outgrowth of several shows existing in various Army commands, with Soldier talent selected from worldwide competition. The motto, mission and philosophy of the show -- "Entertainment for the Soldier, by the Soldier" -- were established during World War I by Sgt. Israel Beilin, a Russian immigrant better known as Sgt. Irving Berlin. He conceived and directed the first Army Soldier Show.

The Soldier Show was reinvented during World War II on Broadway under the title "This is the Army," which was written and directed and produced by Berlin. The cast and crew were members of the U.S. Army Special Services Company No. 1. The 1943 film version featured a military cast starring Ronald Reagan, Gene Kelly and Joe Lewis.

The 2015 U.S. Army Soldier Show "We Serve" pays tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Ia Drang Valley, one of the bloodiest conflicts in the Vietnam War. The battle was documented in the book "We Were Soldiers Once … And Young" by retired Lt. Gen. Hal Moore and reporter Joe Galloway. In 2002, director Randall Wallace depicted the first part of the battle in the movie "We Were Soldiers," starring Mel Gibson and Barry Pepper, playing the roles of Moore and Galloway, respectively.

The show also includes an introduction by Gibson. Stephenson helped Soldier Show artistic director Victor Hurtado persuade Gibson to add a taste of Hollywood to the Army Entertainment production.

For Natick performance ticket information, contact the Natick Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation office at (508) 233-4791 or visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/us-army-soldier-show-tickets-16676358437.