Camp Show relives lighter side of life during WWII

By CASSIE DLG FEJERAN
Special to the Saipan Tribune

Beauty and talent filled the stage of the American Memorial Park Amphitheatre Saturday night with the staging of Camp Show, a presentation that aimed to recapture the USO—United Services Organization—shows that were provided by volunteers to the military during their tenure overseas in the ’40s.

WWII veterans, residents, and tourists who trooped to the AMP amphitheater were regaled with songs, dances, comedy skits, and a parade of beauties recreating the pin-up girls that were so popular with the soldiers during the war.

Carl Pogue, station manager for KRNM, took the lead in introducing the many performances that brought both the past and the present together. Susan Fishman (Baby Snooks), instructor at Northern Marianas Academy, joined Pogue in entertaining the audience with her wacky antics.

With Pogue calling them “the girls we left behind,” the Miss Northern Marianas candidates also took the stage wearing pin-up costumes of the ’40s. Miss Northern Marianas World 2004 Tracy Del Rosario, Miss Congeniality 2004 Cassie Fejeran, Miss Northern Marianas 2002 Universe Virginia Gridley, and Northern Marianas Beauty Pageant Association member representative Lina Lifoifoi took on the personas of popular pin-up girls that included Betty Grable, Earl Moran, Rita Hayworth, Vargas, and the Petty Girl. A nose art exhibit also showed the girls painted on the B-29, including Heavenly Body, Lucky Lady, Dragon Lady, and Up an’ Atom.

Beauty was not all that was shown that night, with Miss Northern Marianas International 1996 Jennifer White Aguon singing This is the Army/I left my heart at the Stage Door Canteen, a popular song of that era.

Angel Santos,, along with his backup dancers, performed several swing dances that, at one point, even featured some of the man’amko ladies. Also present were the Inatuas Cultural dancers that were led by director Frances Sablan.

World-renowned pianist Roman Rudnytsky also took the stage to play several pieces, including The Banjo, Rhapsody in Blue, Tournament Gallop, Stars and Stripes Forever, Hoe-Down, and The Union. Rudnytsky is on island after a concert series in Great Britain.

Camp Show producer and director Melody Actouka said this production is designed to be authentic and includes activities that are typical of that period-1940s.”

The two-hour show began Saturday at 7pm at the American Memorial Park Amphitheater. An encore performance was held yesterday.

The commemoration of the 60th anniversary continues until June 17 with activities including various seminars conducted by veterans and civilian survivors, tours of historic sites, Laser Light shows, memorial services on both islands, and the formal commemoration ceremony honoring veterans.