After the war, men of the 253rd Infantry, in order to stifle their boredom decided to put on a show for the troops.  Fredd Wiener (Special Services), Joe Pollack (K/253rd), Bill Thomas (E/253rd) and several other members of the Regiment undertook the task of putting on a show to entertain the rest of  the men in town. An Infantry regiment has a large pool of talent to draw from, and soon Wiener,
Pollack and Thomas had a complete cast, musicians, and stage hands for their theatrical production.  Men like “Shorty” Myers (2d Bn Hq/253rd), Danny Canestraro (Hq Co/253rd) and Armand Beaulieu (F/253rd) volunteered, probably for the first time since they joined the Army.This was no ordinary production, however, this was a full scale musical extravaganza with an orchestra in the pit and all.Wiener and Pollack must have spent many hours at the local Gaiety Theater in their respective towns because their 1945 version of “Carmen” was burlesque at its finest, and the show was much more like “Hellzapoppin” than any opera.  Marty Faloon (B/253rd) led the band that included Herb  Behrens (2d Bn Hq 253rd) and Marty Schopp (D/253rd).  Charley Byrd (E/253rd) sang with a quartet and played his guitar.  Attilio Savelli (G/253rd) couldn’t keep his brassiere on right side up, and all the while “El Stinko” (Thomas) paraded back and forth before the audience.  In addition to “El Stinko” , the bullslinger, Wiener played the part of Carmen, Pollack played Doktor Foss, Ray Richardson (363rd Med) played Tom Wand, and Al La Vecchia (E/253rd) was Sweet Sue.The show was to run for only three performances at the Rathaus in Tauberbischofsheim, but some men from Division Headquarters caught the act and the entire cast of 44 was soon performing in Bad Mergentheim.  Following that, the show went on the road under the supervision of Lt Bob Bogan, and presented 143 shows all over Europe.  The show played to more than 300,000 GIs
in the opera houses and hosptials of Europe.

“These lovely “ladies” and gentlemen presented their version of “Carmen” throughout Europe from May to September 1945. The cast starred L to R: Al Lavecchia as “Sweet Sue”, Ray Richardson, as “Tom Wand” (a jockey), Tex Thomas as “El Stinko” (a bullslinger), Fredd Wiener as “Carmen” and Joe Pollack as “Docktor Quilton J Foss” There were 35 other members in the supporting cast.” – 63rd Infantry Division

S/Sgt Marty Schopp D/253rd Infantry. In civilian life, Marty Schopp was a well-known songwriter, musician and disc jockey. See the Wikipedia article on “Marty Roberts”. Photo donated by Martin Schopp

Unidentified members of the “Carmen” show produced by the 253d Infantry Regiment. Germany 1945. Sent in by Charles Rudibaugh Jr

The following photos relating to the 253d Infantry Regiment’s production of “Carmen- A Boilesk Voishin ” were furnished by Gordon “Shorty” Myers Hq Co 2d Bn 253d Infantry

Heidelberg, Germany: L-R: Marty Faloon, Fred Wayne, Safilippo, Tex Thomas, Joe Pollock, Shorty Myers (all 253d Infantry) and Lt Mortimer Yokeon 7th Army Special Services.

Cast of Carmen in Tauberbischofsheim, Germany. The original production- 253d Infantry Regiment

The Carmen Band- 253d Infantry Regiment

In Paris, France, General Lee gets pass to see Carmen. L-R: Tex Thomas, General Lee, Fred Wayne and Joe Pollack

The Third Act of Carmen. Ray Richerson (L) sings to Sweet Sue (Albert Levicchia)

The final Act of Carmen played in costumes

The final Act cast in their regular uniforms

L-R- Back Row: T/5 John T. Janulis, Pfc George Goldberg, Cpl Richard Bame(F/253d Inf). T/4 Harry Butensky- Middle Row: T/4 Nicholas Bonardi, Pfce Harris SanFillipo (C/254th Inf), T/4 Carmen Tato, and Cpl Charles C Rudibaugh Jr. Front: T/5 Daniel Canestraro and T/5 Archie R. McAnally- Carmen show on tour- Erbach, Germany 1945. All soldiers from Hq 253d Inf unless otherwise indicated

Preparing to depart for Paris as part of the tour of the Soldier Show Carmen, Pfc George Goldberg, T/5 Charles Hodges and T/5 John Lippart, all of Hq, 253d Inf. Boarding a General’s plane for the trip.- November 1945- Germany

Pfc George Goldberg in Berlin – October 1945, as part of the Soldier Show “Carmen”

Pfc George Goldberg, Headquarters 253d Infantry Regiment in Tauberbischofsheim, Germany- June 1945

Members of the Soldier Show “Carmen” in Wiesbaden, Germany: Back row L-R:Pfc George Goldberg, T/4 Harry Butensky and Cpl Fred Wayne. Front: T/5 John T. Janulis, Cpl Ray Richardson , T/5 Daniel J. Canestraro, and T/4 Nicholas Bonardi all of Hq 253d Inf

The cast of the Soldier Show “Carmen” in Paris, France November 1945 .  Only ones identified are:  Back Row L-R: 6th person- T/4 Harry Butensky, 7th person- T/4 Carmen Tato and 9th person- Pfc George Goldberg  all of Headquarters 253d Infantry Regiment before joining the show

Cast of the Soldier Show “Carmen” in Rome, 24 December 1945.  The only ones identified are: Front Row: R-L; 5th Person- Pfc George Goldberg, then T/4 Carmen Tato, Cpl Richard Bame (F/253d Inf).  Back row extreme right- T/4 Harry Butensky-  All former members of Headquarters 253d Infantry Regiment , unless otherwise indicated, prior to joining the Tour.

VE Day in Paris, France. Pfc George Goldberg, Headquarters 253d Infantry Regiment, is first soldier on the left. Others are not identified The Carmen Soldier Show photographs of Goldberg were furnished by Teddy Goldberg ,widow of Pfc George Goldberg.

NOTE: This production was reactivated in 1985 to be presented at the 1985 63rd Infantry Division Association Reunion held in New York, City.