WASHINGTON (Army News Service, July 6, 2009) -- The Army Soldier Show, on the road since the April 24 performance at its Fort Belvoir, Va., home garrison, "just completed their first show of literally, the second half of their tour in downtown San Antonio, Texas, just off base from what will become its new home garrison at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
Due to Base Realignment and Closure 2005, Army Entertainment, part of the Family and Morale Welfare and Recreation Command and Installation Management Command, will move to Fort Sam Houston by 2011.
The 104-degree heat of July 28 didn't stop the packed audience of Soldiers and civilians, both young and old, from jumping to their feet to sing along with the Army entertainers and dance in the aisles at Laurie Auditorium.
"They just got back from a 10-day blanket leave, so they were eager to get back on stage to perform," said Capt. Gabriel Granados, the Army Entertainment detachment commander.
This year's production pays tribute to noncommissioned officers, the backbone of the Army, during the Year of the NCO.
With a cast of 15 and crew of 26, including drivers, the Army Soldier Show benefits from the strength of the NCO corps as they accomplish a demanding mission as a team.
But performing on stage is not all they do.
Before and after the 90-minute show, they transport, unload, install, pack and re-load more than 40,000 pounds of technical equipment.
When the last performance is completed on Nov. 8 at the Wallace Theater on Fort Belvoir, they will have traveled to more than 60 locations, throughout the United States, Hawaii and the Republic of Korea.
"Lights, Camera, Action," the title of the production, directed by Victor Hurtado, represents a live studio setting of a television show.
"It's a show within a show," explained Granados. "The audience gets to experience what happens back stage and during commercials."
"This is my second time performing for the Soldier Show," Sgt. Deneen Murray said. "The first time was in 2006 and I'm going to come back again, but next time as part of the staff."
When these Soldiers first got together after auditions and winning a spot on the Soldier Show, they rehearsed 12 to 14 hours a day, six days a week.
"As they begin the second half of tour, there's still tweaking going on, but they now rehearse about two hours before the show, perfecting their performance each time," Granados said.
"From a vocal standpoint, this show in San Antonio was the best I've seen, but it will get better. They've really come together as a team in all aspects of the theater," Granados said. "For instance, their set-up time is down to about six hours with their goal being four to five hours. Tearing down goes even better. It's now down to three hours to get all packed up and loaded on the trailers."
By 2011 though, the Soldier Show, which is sponsored by I.A.M. STRONG, AT&T and the show's audiences, will be operating out of their new home at the soon-to-be renovated Sam Houston Theater, which will include a huge addition in the rear of the theater.
"Yesterday, I had a tour of the new location," Granados said. "There will be a major addition at the rear of the theater with three floors. The first floor will be an extension of the stage with loading docks in the rear. On the second floor will be recording and dance studios, and costumes. On the third floor will be offices. We're all looking forward to having everything in one place."
"More than a team, we've really become like family," Murray said as she looked back at the now empty stage. "Oh, we have our ups and downs, like family, but we love each other and enjoy what we're doing. And seeing the audience enjoy themselves'
That's what we live for."
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