SCHINNEN, Netherlands - The 2010 Soldier Show comes to the Tri-Border area of Netherlands, Belgium & Germany, May 18 for a one-night performance. This year's show revolves around current social-media phenomena with song and dance numbers that explore how deployed soldiers keep in touch with loved ones.
"It's like a computer screen. When you walk in, you'll see the desktop, and all of the transitions are like Facebook or Google with a PDF," Soldier Show Production Director Victor Hurtado said.
Three siblings of 2004 Soldier Show performers are among this season's cast: Spc. Philip Plasterer, Spc. Brian McAleese-Jergins and 2nd Lt. Katherine Melcher. Sgt. Kevin Cherry, another 2004 performer, returns for his second go-round with the Soldier Show.
Hurtado was quickly impressed by this year's Soldier Show performers. "When I hear them sing together, it's like the most glorious choir," he said. "People are going to be shocked by how good they are."
Soldier Show founder Irving Berlin would not have wanted it any other way. The Soldier-performers, in turn, will honor the founding father of Army Entertainment.
"There's some great historical content with Irving Berlin," Hurtado explained. "We have much better video technology this year with moving projectors. We're going to be able to use that during the show for a lot longer lengths of time, so we have voiceovers with Irving Berlin and some of his work."
The show opens with Disturbed's heavy metal anthem "Indestructible," which was written to inspire Soldiers headed for battle. "It's meant to be something that would make them feel invincible, take away their fear, make them strong," Disturbed lead vocalist David Draiman said.
As always, the troops will deliver several genres of music and dance, complete with Soldier-musicians on guitar, bass, keyboard and drums.
And, of course, there's a tribute to the late Michael Jackson. "With the Michael Jackson segment, we're just making use of what he left behind," said Hurtado, who revealed that the medley includes "ABC," "I Want You Back," "I'll Be There," and "Jam."
"I don't want to give too much away, but the very last piece is something that you'll definitely recognize," Hurtado added while moon-walking backwards.
Now in its 27th year, the Soldier Show brings entertainment and inspiration to military communities around the globe. The 2010 Soldier Show schedule features 101 performances, nine of which are scheduled in Europe. The performance in Brunssum is the only stop the tour makes outside its European tour of U.S. installations in Germany.
The Tri-Border show will be held at the Brunssum Brunahal (address: Raadhuisstraat 123, Brunssum 6441 CP, NL). The show is free, but seats are limited and available on a first come basis. Doors open at 6:15 p.m., and the show begins at 7 p.m. For more information, contact USAG Schinnen's MWR Coordinator at 0031-46-443-7370.
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