European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 01, 1963, Darmstadt, Hesse By Sid Schapiro is new York Bureau inn Les and colleges for Uso shows. The to shool have to make special provisions for j their student groups to that classes Are to Tot neglected. Eight weeks is the Meixl num they Are on the rond. These shows normally carry Largo casts and scenery and attract Large audiences so Are put on at Large installations where there it a full sized theater or stadium or,11 it an air base. In a Large hangar. Consequently the workhorses of the 08o shows program about 80 per cent rare Stul the 7 to 10 Guys and gals variety bits of salaried profess Ion us performers waking the world circling Tours. These troupes can reach the men when to Ltd a break in Monotony Moat men stationed in our far Flung and isolated Lotary bases overseas said Jerome co a Tay director of Uso shows who work with the professional entertain Branch of the department of de. In these places entertainment is a Gib Premium and transportation difficulties Imke larger units the Mediterranean circuit involves the most mileage because performers Senrt in spun and travel the shorelines of the Seato the outer fringes of Turkey and through Small i troop units in Ethiopia. Saudlin Aro Biti and up to Libya and per forming stopovers at the azores and Ber Muda on the Way Home in the Pacific Uso puts on shows i Japan Okinawa Korea the Philippines. Formosa South Viet Nam and Guam. The Caribbean circuit reaches from Panama to Bueno Rico and includes Small i units in the British West indies in Cuba and the Antilles. It s not unusual for n Uso shows unit to put on More than 20 performances in a two week period. During a week of Predi parture rehear Sal the Uso production i att works to streamline and add continuity to the Vari Ety acts welding them into a show which has purpose and direction. Musicians Are rehearsed to fit music to the different acts jokes Are adapted to suit the audiences they re aimed at danc ers Are required to tailor their routines to fit into h Slage it ii w Hli h i More often Ihnn not extremely limited in size. Usually composed of n comic dancer. Singer Novelty Art Ami musicians the so culled hardship units tire retitle find Able to shoo caws to one Side in a pasture when no other staying facility is available and put on a fast moving and spirited show at a moment s notice. Often they be done just that. Uso maintains n year round schedule of show units departing for Tours in Over seas commands. The bin a stage operations Are conducted along professional show business met hods. In new York we hold regular monthly u tilt ions and also Call in top Talent Fluen cies for assistance in signing up our acts corny said. From time to time remake trips to other cities to take a look at the available local after tabbing an act As suitable for Uso shows the paper work begins. Con tracts Are signed Accident and life insurance processed passports obtained and the performer is briefed As to what he run i Spect in the Way of living and travelling conditions while on Lour. Pm opt fur a few places in Europe an the Purl fir a Uso tour is Apt to be a rugged and strenuous affair. Entertainers Are required to undergo physical examinations before being permitted to i a hark. And. Of course they must have the necessary inoculations and shots required by the department of defense. Since 1042. The Uso has sent overseas More than 1.500 variety shows. In addition to planes and ships Many have been t transported Vrr land sea and air by jeep. Hellen pit is. Weapons Carlern and two ton truck the Uso files in new York Are filled with the adventures of the Globe trotting routers Many of whom have served in hot War and cold War trouble spots and narrowly escaped will never receive a combat medal or t be purple heart for these moral emissions Coray remarked. They find the enthusiastic reception by their Giau Zience morn rewarding. That s show Busl usop a former play in some Odd places like on the Fantail of this 6th Fleet worship in the Mediterranean. The stars and stripes p�9 13
