It’s that the time of the year again when the Radio City Rockettes put on their “Christmas Spectacular.”
Beginning in 1933, every year the show is presented with traditional numbers and new routines.
The dancers prepare for 4 weeks in a studio before 2 weeks of technical practice inside their Radio City Music Hall home.
“They are incredible athletes they work incredibly hard to do what they do. They are the only precision dance company that exists in terms of the quality of the work that they do,” explained Karen Keeler, a former Rockette and Director of Rockettes Creative.
The ladies perform up to 300 kicks in one show.
That rehearsal also includes learning how to quickly change costumes with as little as 78 seconds to spare.
“Dressing you would think would be complete chaos, but it’s very choreographed chaos in Rockette land,” said 14-year veteran, Sam Berger.
Each performer styles her own hair into a signature French twist and applies Rockette red lipstick and black flash eyelashes.
The 80-person dance troupe rotates between shows with half on a morning shift and half perform evening shows.
The show began on Nov. 9 and will end on Jan. 1.