By Matt Decker
Leisure/Sports editor

The United States Air Force’s premier entertainment ensemble, Tops In Blue, is bringing their latest production, “To Dream,” to Fort Leonard Wood.  The group is scheduled to perform at 6:30 p.m., Feb. 13, in Nutter Field House. The show is free and open to the public.

“This is their fifth year for Tops In Blue to perform here,” said Bernie Riker, project officer with the Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation Special Events Team. “We’re one of the few Army installations that are lucky enough to host Tops In Blue each year. They put on a fabulous show – that’s what we hear from our audience every time they perform. It’s very entertaining; it’s for families, service members and the community — and it’s free.”

According to topsinblue.com, “To Dream” features a variety of musical numbers dedicated to the American dream, from pop and R&B numbers to country and western selections to patriotic songs celebrating the nation.

Riker said audiences — especially those who haven’t seen a Tops In Blue show before — are in for a treat.

“They are all five-star performers,” she said. “It’s kind of like Tops In Blue brings a Broadway show to Fort Leonard Wood each year. It’s also a very interactive show — they come right out into the audience, and some years they have had Soldiers from the audience come up on stage with them. Last year they even had Beauty and the Beast come out and sing with them.”

On its Web site, Tops In Blue describes itself as “an all-active duty U.S. Air Force special unit,” which is made up of talented amateur performers selected for their entertainment abilities. Each year, thousands of active duty Air Force personnel compete in installation-level talent contests to be a part of the ensemble, and the most talented participants move on to higher levels of competition. The result is an elite group composed of 35 of some of the most talented vocalists, musicians, dancers, comedians, magicians, and dramatists worldwide.

According to its Web site, each Tops In Blue team begins their tour with an intense 45-day training period at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, also known as the “Home of Tops In Blue.” This training consists of a highly accelerated educational process to prepare the cast to succeed as world-class entertainers and distinguished Air Force Ambassadors during their nine month tour. The performers must not only master the instrumental, vocal and choreography elements of the production, but also the intricate responsibilities of being their own technical staff. The performing team is responsible for setting up more than 80,000 pounds of staging, lighting, audio, and special effects equipment required for each performance. They must also become a complete self-contained operational unit with each member responsible for logistical responsibilities such as ground transportation, airlift, lodging, dining, wardrobe, palletizing, etc., throughout the tour.

 

Tops In Blue was created in 1953 by Air Force Col. Alvin Reilly as a way to recognize the high caliber of entertainment available in the Air Force community. Known as the Air Forces’ Expeditionary Entertainers; the group’s main mission is to perform for military personnel and their families throughout the world. They have toured throughout Western, Central, and Eastern Europe, the Far East, Middle East, Central America, Canada, and all 50 states. During each annual tour, Tops In Blue entertains more than 250,000 military personnel and their families.

The Fort Leonard Wood performance is part of the final leg of the group’s 2009 tour, which began in May and is scheduled to be completed, March 13, at Lackland AFB.

Riker said those planning to see the show should plan to get there on time or a little early. Doors open at 5:45 p.m.

“There is limited seating, but I don’t think there should be a problem with that,” she said. “I would say just show up on time and be prepared to have a really enjoyable evening of entertainment.”

For more information about Tops In Blue, call 596.6913 or go to fortleonardwoodmwr.com.