When you think of the ultimate Christmas experience, you think of going to The Big Apple, and to Rockefeller Center. You think about going to see the tree, going skating at the iconic ice rink, and going to watch the Christmas Spectacular, starring the Radio City Rockettes. As aptly described by John D. Rockefeller Jr, you think of it as a “city within a city”. The Rockefeller Center is an array of 19 buildings that cover 22 acres, from 48th Street to 51st Street in Manhattan, New York City. Throughout the walkways, past the fountains and sculptures, you’ll see many famous buildings and landmarks. Beyond 30 Rockefeller Plaza, or 30 Rock, the building where Saturday Night Live, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, and many more are filmed, you’ll find Radio City Music Hall, home to the Rockettes.
After the stock market crash of 1929, John D. Rockefeller decided he wanted to build Rockefeller Center as a way of attracting more business. Construction started in 1931 and ended by 1940, though the first buildings were opened in 1933. Radio City Music Hall, nicknamed “The Showplace of the Nation,” opened for The Christmas Spectacular on December 21 of 1933, and has run every Christmas season since. The musical features a “Living Nativity,” several holiday stories, organists, and, of course, the iconic Rockettes performing the “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers,” a scene that has been included in every Christmas Spectacular! The Rockettes are a household name, even for those unfamiliar with the Christmas Spectacular, as they have graced the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade since 1957, becoming another Christmas in New York tradition. It’s hard to believe that a humble group of 16 dancers from Missouri have grown and evolved into the cultural phenomenon they are today.
In 1925, the “Missouri Rockets” of St. Louis made their debut, and later that same year, the dancers had traveled to New York City where they were discovered by Samuel Roxy Rothafel, while performing the show Rain or Shine on Broadway. Then in the early 1930s, Rothafel moved two thirds of the dancers to Radio City Music Hall and called them the “Roxyettes,” and in 1934, the “Roxyettes” were officially named the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes. The Rockettes are known for their precision, their perfectly choreographed routines, their synchronized kicks, and their beautiful costumes. Over 100 women attempt to become new Rockettes annually. This season, only 14 new dancers were selected after a long, arduous two full day tryout, but once selected, dancers must try out again annually. There is currently a dancer who has been a Rockette for 20 years!
There truly is nothing like Christmas time in New York City. The holiday lights and decorations, ice skating, pop-up holiday markets, the Rockefeller Center tree, and all of the holiday shows can be seen in many Christmas movies over the past century, such as Miracle on 34th Street, Elf, and Home Alone. People flock from all over the world to experience it, and we are so lucky that it is a quick car or train ride away. The Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the iconic Rockettes is a must-see!
