page_title: G.I. Carmen
section_title: The men of G.I. Carmen
hierarchical_section_title: G.I. Carmen / The men of G.I. Carmen
caption_attribution_description: English: cover of program for G.I. Carmen produced and performed by the U.S. Army June 1945 - January 1946
context_page_description: G. I. Carmen was an all-GI 1945 musical stage show produced by the 253rd Infantry Regiment, 63rd Division of the U.S. Army as morale booster for allied troops occupying post-WWII Europe. Initially intended as a three-show run for the Regiment it was extended to reach the entire Division and then picked up by the 7th Army and sent on an eight-month tour of the ETO seen by over 250,000 military personnel and countless civilians.
context_section_description: The cover of the first program read: "Carmen (A Boilesk Voishin) presented by special Services 253d Infantry"; and, on page 2: "The Slopopolitan Opera Association (alias Special Services 253d Inf.) presents a F___________ up version of Bizet's opera Carmen in 3 acts." Programs for G.I. Carmen changed through its run as it was taken over by the 7th Army and TSFET Special Service, entr'actes and musical numbers were added, and high point men were sent home.
  Principal players
  Chorus
  Specialities (entre'actes)
  The Band
  Production Staff
  Throughout the run of G.I. Carmen notices, articles and reviews in Army and civilian publications cited the bawdy, raucous, G.I.-friendly humor, the impressive vocals of Cpl. Ray Richardson and the lively contemporary musical numbers of the production.
caption: Cover of program for G.I. Carmen produced and performed by the U.S. Army June 1945 – January 1946
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