The carnival concept of the 2011 U.S. Army Soldier Show will take audiences on a globe-spanning journey to more fun-fi lled venues in 90 minutes than some folks experience in a lifetime.

From a boardwalk to a fun house to a circus to a county fair to a time machine, Soldier-entertainers will take their guests on a song and dance tour of carnivals across America and beyond.

“It’s an opportunity to actually take the audience on a journey with us,” Soldier Show director Victor Hurtado said. “And not just to the continental United States — we have a great international scene.”

Africa, Samoa, Latin America, Nepal, with influences from India, Thailand and China, are represented in the song-and-dance extravaganza that plays to the strengths of cast members from several countries. Each international scene will feature authentic music from that locale.

This Soldier Show cast features strong instrumentalists on the violin, drums, guitar, keyboards and bass who will keep the performers on the move as they dance from scene to scene. One central character will help keep the show moving by introducing each scene.

“There are a lot of dancers, a lot of movement in the show,” Hurtado said. “But there are some great voices as well. And great stage presence. We have some great rapper and spoken-word guys, so we have quite a bit of that driving the show.”

Patriotism is woven throughout the show that does not so much resemble a military production.

“With MWR, we’re in the business of taking Families and Soldiers away from the trials and tribulations of what they’re going through, so I think this will definitely inspire the patriotism, but really help you escape and take you to places you wouldn’t go, all in one day,” Hurtado said.“You wouldn’t go to the circus, a boardwalk, a country fair, a fun house — in four different areas of the world — and a Fourth of July celebration, all in one day.“

You could never physically do that, but you’re going to be able to do that at this show.”

“Entertainment for the Soldier, by the Soldier” is the working motto of Army Entertainment Division, which will launch the 106-performance Soldier Show tour from Fort Belvoir, Va., to 61 installations, garrisons and other venues around the United States, Germany and Korea.

“As a group, they’ve really become very cohesive,” Hurtado said. “We’ve really been able to get the show together quickly. They’ve been very engaged. It’s pretty amazing where they are already, as far as rehearsals go.”

The 2011 U.S. Army Soldier Show’s eight-month tour is made possible through sponsorship support provided by Army G-1’s Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Program (SHARP) and Navy.

The Soldier Show will be at the Crown Center Theatre in Fayetteville on Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. and Oct. 8 at 2 p.m. Admission to all shows is free on a first-come, first-seated basis. For more information visit www.atthecrown.com or call the box offi ce at 438-4100.

Photo: The 2011 U.S. Army Soldier Show’s Admission to all shows is free on a first-come, first-seated basis.