Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Soldier Show comes home

The U.S. Army Soldier Show came home to Fort Belvoir Saturday with a performance to a packed house at Fort Belvoir’s Wallace Theater.

After kicking of the 2006 tour May 5 at Fort Belvoir, the 22 members of the cast and crew toured Army installations across the United States and Europe. Fort Belvoir is home of the Army Entertainment Division.

Under the direction of Army Entertainment Artistic Director Victor Hurtado, the cast and crew put their weeks of training and months of experience on the road to work on the stage.

“It was hectic,” said Spec. Lucky Tagaloa of Fort Hood, Texas, about the training and practice. “We had to learn many songs and routines. Learning to breathe and move and sing all at the same was a bit difficult, but I love singing, so it was great. Everyone came in with their own styles, but the director made the show possible.”

Staff Sgt. Samuel Hesch of the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 111th Army Band said he came in with a bit of experience, because he is accustomed to performing for Soldiers at his home station.

“I truly believe the American Soldier is the best audience. They carry the weight of the world on their shoulders,” he said.

But he still agreed that the training was “very hectic.” Hesch said there was vocal training, music theory, a lot of memorization, physical training, and even Pilates.

“The day will start as early as 6 a.m. for PT and around 8 a.m. rehearsal would start and we could stay as late as 11 p.m. or midnight,” said Hesch.

Despite the demanding schedule, Hesch said he was excited to be a part of something he loved.

“I have a wife and three children,” Hesch said. “And they understand freedom isn’t free, someone has to stand up to provide freedom. I’ve been fortunate enough not to have to go to combat, so this is just my way to give back. There’s belief in the mission first and then the fact that I enjoy performing. So, the fact that I have the opportunity to do both is awesome.”

Performer and singer 1st Lt. Sonya Moore of the California Army National Guard echoed Hesch’s sentiments.

“The practices were grueling,” she said. “The instructors never settled for anything less than the best. It was like practice was the real thing. We had to give 120 percent even in practice.”

Moore got her first taste of the U.S. Army Soldier Show as a recruit in basic training.

“I sort of believe it was fate that I ended up here,” she said. “In 1999, I was in basic training as a private first class. I saw the Soldier Show and said, ‘I wish I could do that.’ I believe my heart’s desire was later realized and my path put me here in 2006.”

Tagaloa and Hesch said the months of hard work not only made cast better performers, it made them better Soldiers and brought them together as a tight-knit team.

“At first you come in as an individual, but by the end you’re leaving with 17-25 brothers and sisters,” said Tagaloa. “You learn to adapt. Everyone prays together — there’s a spiritual togetherness amongst us. Of course we have our ups and downs, like any family, but I’ll definitely miss the cast. It is like living with your brother and sisters, then getting married and finally moving out.”

Hesch said that there was a bond, a friendship and even in some cases — chemistry between some of the performers.

“It’s almost unavoidable when people are working together so many hours a day and in this capacity. I did not imagine I would’ve ever gotten this far, but I must say that everyone’s unique talent has been incorporated into the show. But it’s definitely an honor and privilege to be picked out of 200 candidates.

“The show has came full circle. This is pretty much the finished product with all the creative process. The music was dynamic and the show grows along with us and we’ve grown along with the show.”

The U.S. Army Soldier show will hold its final four performances at Forts Wainwright and Richardson, Alaska, today through Monday.