Christmas Comes Early for Rockettes

By SOPHIE DWECK

It’s almost the most wonderful time of the year — again.

In the basement of the St. Paul the Apostle Church on Thursday stood two, long uniform rows of women facing a mirrored wall. All were beaming yet with a certain seriousness behind the smiles. All 80 women were  around the same height, 5 ft 7 in. Their hair was tied up in high topknots and their lips were a bright shade of red. The women wore similar black outfits—black character shoes, black spandex, and the same top that read “Rockettes” in rhinestones.

“And 5,6,7,8,” shouts Julie Branam, the director and choreographer of the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes.

The familiar holiday instrumental music started up, and the Radio City Rockettes were off rehearsing the number “New York at Christmas” for the 2016 production.

Known for their precision, the dancers showed off the very routine that makes the Rockettes, “the Rockettes.” They each kicked up their left legs to eye level and followed with their right in perfectly synched unison, and so on and so forth. Not once did the girls wipe the dazzling smiles off their faces.

This was the first day of rehearsals for the girls. During the next eight weeks, they will be rehearsing for the prominent holiday show for seven hours a day, six days a week.

“It’s a long process, but it’s worth it,” Samantha Berger, a New York City Rockette said. “That’s what makes us so special. It’s the precision and all the details we have to pay attention to.”

Since The Christmas Spectacular’s debut in 1933, the Radio City Rockettes have danced into the hearts of millions and spread holiday cheer to people of all ages. During the Christmas season, the Rockettes perform five shows a day, seven days a week, featuring popular dance numbers and extravagant costumes.

Berger who has been a Radio City Rockette for  12 years, thanks her mother, who first urged her to audition, for what she calls the “best experience for her life”.

“Always listen to your mother,” she said assertively. “She’s always right.”

The show was scheduled t0 run from November 11 to January 2.

Photo and Video by Sophie Dweck

Radio City Rockettes Rehearsal