Soldier Show 27.0 -- entertainment for Soldiers, by Soldiers

By Emily Brainard, Army Flier StaffJune 17, 2010

Soldier Show 27.0 -- entertainment for Soldiers, by Soldiers
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Soldier Show 27.0 -- entertainment for Soldiers, by Soldiers
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Soldier Show 27.0 -- entertainment for Soldiers, by Soldiers
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Soldier Show 27.0 -- entertainment for Soldiers, by Soldiers
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Soldier Show 27.0 -- entertainment for Soldiers, by Soldiers
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Cast members perform their rendition of "Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning," composed and sung by the late Irving Berlin, June 10 at the Fort Rucker Post Theater. Soldiers honored Berlin during the show, since he was considered the creator of t... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- "For the Soldier, by the Soldier" is the U.S. Army Soldier Show's motto, and a cast of 22 performers entertained more than 1,500 peers, Families and community residents during the annual Broadway-style productions at the Post Theater June 10-12.

This year's Soldier Show "Version 27.0," was named for its 27th anniversary and incorporated various forms of technology and social media. Musicians, dancers and actors performed several dozen numbers of musical styles. The crew also paid tribute to two late musicians - Irving Berlin and Michael Jackson.

For some Soldiers, performing three shows in Alabama had special personal significance.

Capt. Kristin Speers, 593rd Sustainment Brigade in Fort Lewis, Wash., said there's "no place like home," upon arriving within a few hours south of her hometown, Scottsboro.

"You get to show how much you've grown since you left here," she said. "I've been singing since I was a kid. What better way to do it than to motivate Soldiers."

Pfc. Drake DeLucca said the military is a second career for him, and joining the Soldier Show was a natural transition from his former life as a 20-year singer who performed on cruise ships and in casinos throughout the country.

"I joined the Army to use my talents. I wanted to do something meaningful, something bigger than myself," said DeLucca, now stationed with the 8th Psychological Operations Battalion at Fort Bragg, N.C. "I can't think of anything more real than being a Soldier."

The Soldier originally hails from Phenix City, and said all of his old friends and Family members watched him perform at the June 10 show and cooked a post-performance feast for the cast.

Following the June 10 production, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker Chief of Staff Col. Timothy Edens presented Sgt. 1st Class Earnest Baskin, Soldier Show noncommissioned officer-in-charge, a flying eagle statue in appreciation of the crew's visit. Baskin also bestowed Edens and Fort Rucker with a Soldier Show 2010 plaque of appreciation.

"Your energy and enthusiasm helps boost the morale of our Soldiers and Families," Edens told the cast.