One Hundred Years 

By Sarah McVeigh

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: Rockettes season! Although I pretend to be a rough and tough sporty chick in this column (that’s the vibe I give off, right?), I grew up dancing and will always appreciate the SPORT that dance is. So, because many of you readers probably do not understand or recognize the Rockettes for the perfection that they are, I thought I’d set the record straight.

For my birthday, I asked my husband for a day out in the city and tickets to the Christmas Spectacular. I did not realize that we’d need to take out a second mortgage (we rent) to afford two tickets on a Sunday in December, but what birthday girl wants, she gets. We went on a “five-show day.” Yes, that’s five 90-minute performances in one day!

Sometimes I forget what a circus Rockefeller becomes—the crowds, street vendors, pedicabs blasting music—the city was electric.

Walking into Radio City Music Hall is one of those experiences that will never get old. Between the historic red velvet lobby and the massive Christmas tree chandelier, it’s iconic. Also, a shout-out to the seating: Radio City actually offers normal human legroom, unlike Broadway, where you are essentially sitting in the lap of both the people in front of and behind you.

This year marks the Rockettes’ 100th anniversary. They actually predate the Christmas Spectacular itself. Originally from St. Louis, they were created by choreographer Russell Markert before the theatre owner, “Roxy” Rothafel (find me a better theatre owner name), brought them to Radio City in 1933.

If you aren’t from the dance world, you might think any girl in a leotard and dance class could do this. You’d be wrong. There are millions of dancers globally, but only a fraction can meet this standard. I’d like to try to compare it to baseball: There are thousands of guys playing baseball throughout the college game, minor leagues, and major leagues, but there’s only one Aaron Judge.

CMT and Netflix gave us a deep dive into the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, and while I overly indulged in those series, what I really want is a show about making the Rockettes. The audition process alone is cutthroat. I’ve heard that you are met with a measuring tape as you walk in, as most girls are required to be between 5’6 to 5’10. The line is meticulously organized to create an illusion that makes every girl look the same height. Even arm and leg lengths are factored in to ensure the kick line is perfect.

These women need to have exceptional ballet, tap, and jazz technique. The precision and perfection required are unmatched. They have perfect posture and carry themselves with grace while also having the power to kick over 200 times per show. You need to pick up on choreography quickly. The girls sometimes refer to themselves as mathematicians because the formations are so complex; every dancer has a specific coordinate on stage to maintain those razor-sharp lines.

After the grueling audition process, only 84 Rockettes make the cut. Going back to baseball, there are around 780 players in an MLB season, so there’s a lot more losers who can catch a ball than there are women who can do what a Rockette does.

Those 84 girls are split up into two casts of 36, plus 12 “swings” who have to know every single part. Once they make the iconic company, the Rockettes rehearse six hours a day, six days a week, for six weeks. Then, they perform over 200 shows between November and January.

I wish my writing could do these girls some justice, but I worry I fall short of the miraculousness, athleticism, and PERFECTION that these girls are. When people think of iconic New York attractions, they think of Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge, heck, the New York Knicks! I think of the “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” and the “12 Days of Christmas” tap number that will always bring a tear to my eye.

These girls are athletes. Dance is a sport. Go see the Rockettes — and Merry Christmas, ya filthy animals.