Get set to be entertained by "Ready and Resilient," the 2013 U.S. Army Soldier Show as it comes to the Crown Theatre Sept. 3-4.

The 75-minute song-and-dance production by active duty, Army Reserve and Army National Guard Soldiers uses music to put an entertaining spin on how Soldiers and their families maintain readiness and resiliency.
"We had to take a good look at what the Army says makes troops and their families ready and resilient and what mechanisms the country and the world in general are offering to help with resilience," said Soldier Show Artistic Director Victor Hurtado. "And helping with readiness because you know there's a good chance that you're going back out again, so you better be ready.

"The show is very much about illustrating not only ways to get away and be resilient, but also illustrating overarching solutions to certain issues that are facing the military today, like [the Army's Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Program], Gold Star, Blue Star and Survivor Outreach Services," Hurtado said.

The show's troops are focused on accomplishing the mission and providing quality entertainment at the same time.

"The material makes sense with the messaging, and it also makes sense to them," Hurtado said of the 15 Soldier-performers and seven Soldier-technicians who comprise the cast and crew. "We're also going to be entertaining. We're going to be singing songs just because they are on the radio."

Hurtado promises there is something for everyone who watches the show. Tributes are paid to the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, the 75th anniversary of "God Bless America," the 60th anniversary of the Armistice of the Korean War, and the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Vietnam War. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the modern era of the U.S. Army Soldier Show.

"Every American, military-affiliated or not, will be able to see themselves in the show," Hurtado said. "The fact that the show is entertaining someone is already taking them away [from their mindset], but the messaging is going to inspire. We know they are coming to be entertained, but further, the content in the show is designed to hopefully be a time-released pool of inspiration."

From the opening song, "Let's Go" by Calvin Harris, the direction of the show is set.

"There's a lyric in there that we've taken almost all of our cues from, and it says it's not about where you've been, it's about where you're going," Hurtado said.
"To me, as the artistic director and the writer of the show, that's where I'm taking my cues from," Hurtado said. "Resilience is about the now. And readiness is about getting ready for the future. Not much you can do about the past. We're not painting a rosy picture, but resilience, again, is about moving on."
Hurtado does not want to reveal too much about the show, insisting this is one not to miss.

"The mechanism is really brilliant, so if we give too much of it away, they are going to be expecting it," Hurtado said. "Arguably and humbly, I will say this is going to probably go down as one of the more well thought-out shows, and there are a lot of reasons for it."

The shows are free, and start at 7 p.m.