The stage was dark with a blue glow surrounding a group of what could have been mistaken for statues.
Suddenly music and lights erupted and the “statues” burst into song and dance. This was the start of the 2008 Army Soldier Show.
Current soldiers performed Sunday evening at McCain Auditorium. The show is just one of the U.S. Army’s entertainment programs featuring soldiers performing songs from today’s popular music like Alicia Keys’ “No One” to classics like Glenn Miller’s “In the Mood.”
They accompanied their singing talents with flowing choreography and lighting effects.
As the show’s theme states — “For the soldier, by the soldier” — the entire show is run by soldiers both on and behind the stage.
Shanda Beard, sophomore in speech pathology, attended the show for the first time Sunday night.
“I was pleasantly surprised,” Beard said. “I had never heard of the Army Soldier Show and had no idea what the show was about, but I thought it was very professional and entertaining.”
Beard said one of her favorite performers of the evening was SPC Shirley Dirden, who sang several songs throughout the show. Dirden, who has been singing all of her life, joined the show in February.
Beard said Dirden reminded her of Mary J. Blige, American hip hop/soul artist, with her soulful voice and her ability to hold sustained notes for an incredible amount of time.
Audience member Carol Fidor said she also was surprised at the show.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect,” she said. “Well, I did, but I didn’t expect that!”
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the modern show, and the troupe nearly brought down the house. The auditorium literally shook a few times, and the audience clapped and sometimes stomped to the music.
They cheered and screamed for the performers as they performed Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and AC/DC’s “Back in Black,” accompanied with some fabulous “Guitar Hero” riffs.
But this was not an unpatriotic U.S. Army show. Some of the last songs performed were some of the most American songs possible, those being “Proud to be an American,” “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “America the Beautiful.”
Soldiers use plastic guitars, classic rock to entertain audience
Published: Monday, August 25, 2008
Updated: Monday, August 25, 2008
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12 comments
LOOKING FOR HONESTY
JONES, do you really think it's fair to say that you've fought for "freedom" when you really haven't? I don't understand you young kids who want to take all the glory from those who have ACTUALLY fought for freedom. You live in dreamland.
T. Anderson
Anytime, anywhere, CPL Jones.MSG A
JONES
Hey all! I have to say this feed is hilarious!! Only because I am the REAL girl who played MJ! And yet, I have impersonators??!!! Was surfing for reviews of the show and found this one..... If you liked Thriller thanks, if you didn't, thanks too! No such thing as bad press! While it's amazing (and flattering) to know that I'm the topic of conversation in your lives, (it's like being famous!), on behalf of the show and all my friends in it, let me clear up the fighting going on here! To Caleb, your close, I'm 160lbs. To Brainiac, sorry Broadway disgusted you, but he/she is not me. To Broadway, thanks for all the accolades, but EVERYONE shines in this show! I'd actually have to know how to sing (which I don't) to make it on broadway! LOL. I'm a dancer, that's all! Truthsayer, the she-man thing... I get it all time. It's the muscles. Oh well. I like 'em! Anderson, thanks for supporting the troops! we need it! Ben There, I'm sorry you thought soldiers coming to your community was embarrassing, but that's why we fight I guess, to protect the freedom that allows us to say whatever we want. Whew! I feel like i just got battered by Q&A on Opera!!! Seriously, to all, thanks for coming to the show! Like it, or not, it's worth seeing! EVERYONE is talented, and in my opinion, far more than me! GO SOLDIER SHOW!
brainiac
broadway, tooting your own horn....disgusting, way to tell it Caleb
Caleb
Hey Broadway, why not give up your "real" identity? Puhlease!!!! It's obvious that YOU are the one that played the "thriller" part. Such desperate measures for a "broadway" wannabe. Get outta town, you ain't all that. Body? Body? Right. We're all dying to be one hundred and 3/4 of one hundred lbs, as I'm sure you're every bit of it. The white girls outshine you hands down. You know it. I could tell that you are fake as hell and insecure. You got a lucky break in a show that everyone doesn't really know about and will forget quick, so enjoy it. You'll have to live in reality again soon. LoL, what an idiot you are, writing a review about YOURSELF. You got issues girl.
