Hormel Girls celebrates the World War II-era women performers and musicians of the Hormel Girls Caravan in a new musical comedy at St. Paul's History Theatre.

History Theatre continues their 30th anniversary season with their 100th World Premiere play, Hormel Girls, opening Saturday, Nov. 24.

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Hormel Girls celebrates the World War II-era women performers and musicians of the Hormel Girls Caravan in a new musical comedy at St. Paul's History Theatre.

History Theatre continues their 30th anniversary season with their 100th World Premiere play, Hormel Girls, opening Nov. 24.

The original Hormel Girls were born when Jay C. Hormel created the American Legion SPAM Post #570 exclusively for "GI Jills" who were returning from their service in WWII. From the membership of ex-servicewomen, he created an all-female drum and bugle corps. During the day, they'd go door-to-door with coupons for housewives, reintroducing SPAM and other Hormel products to the civilian public. At night, they would play and sing.

From 1947-1953, they criss-crossed the country in a fleet of all-white Chevrolets, hitting towns big and small, singing, and selling everywhere they went. At its peak, the caravan contained 116 performing sales girls and could be heard Saturday mornings on three radio networks as "Music with the Hormel Girls."

Hormel Girls at the History Theatre recreates the story of the Hormel Girls Caravan from its humble beginnings as a drum and bugle corps to its metamorphosis into a glamorous Hollywood radio program. With a cast of six women and two men, the play follows six Hormel Girls as they forge friendships and find independence, while making their own way in a man's world.

"I had the good fortune to interview several Hormel Girls as I researched the piece," said playwright Laurie Flanigan. "I was amazed by how hard these women worked, how diverse their talents were

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