"About Face!" was the first in a series of Soldier Shows "Blueprint Specials" created by the Special Services Division of the Army Service Forces during World War II to provide soldiers stationed overseas with all the resources they need to stage an original, full-length, Broadway-style revue for their fellow soldiers. Each "Blueprint Special" includes a libretto, set and costume designs, conductor's score, and individual vocal and instrumental parts, as well as detailed instructions for staging the show effectively. Costumes and sets can be constructed from local scrap materials, the sketches that compose the libretto can be omitted or added to according to local needs and time constraints, and the big band style musical accompaniment can be reduced or expanded to accommodate whatever players are available. Each show features one scene where any number of specialty acts can be inserted to showcase local talent.