Thursday, December 3, 1998
Kicking it on the west side
DANCE: The Rockettes, America’s favorite dance troupe, are
spreading the holiday spirit from New York to Los Angeles
By Sandy Yang
Daily Bruin Staff
In the midst of the countdown to Christmas, the holiday season
is in full swing here in Los Angeles. Wilshire Boulevard is
decorated with white lights, outlining bells and candy canes. Store
windows are streaked with greens and reds, wishing the sentiments
of the holidays. The snow isn’t falling, but the air is cooler.
Now Los Angeles can add another Christmas tradition to the list:
"The Radio City Christmas Spectacular."
Now in six cities, the New York Christmas tradition has expanded
in the last few years to places such as Chicago and Detroit, giving
audiences around the country a chance to see the famed precision
dance team, the Rockettes.
Known for their high kicks, matching outfits and flawless
synchronisity, there are 20 Rockettes in this year’s L.A.
production. Since their debut in Radio City in 1932, the famous
Rockette kick line has become a regular sight come Christmas time.
Along with the Radio City Christmas Spectacular performances, the
Rockette’s popularity has pervaded other mediums of entertainment
including parades, talk shows and award shows. For Los Angeles,
this performance will mark the first time West Coast natives can
view the Rockettes live.
Having gained a home following in New York, the first expansion
to Branson, Mo., in 1994 was welcomed by sold-out shows. Since
then, the show has met with the same enthusiastic response that has
propelled the show to a timeless tradition throughout its 65-year
run.
"I think that everywhere in the States, everyone loves
Christmas," says Amy Powell, associate director of the L.A.
production. "It just speaks to that part in your heart that enjoys
the holidays, and it brings on a dance to the celebration."
Included in the multitude of familiar Christmas scenes
integrated with the Rockettes’ song and dance numbers are
traditional numbers such as "Parade of the Wooden Soldier" and "The
Nutcracker." Live animals and children also perform, in acts like
"The Living Nativity."
The settings also move from Santa’s Workshop to a Christmas in
New York. And although each number is a separate entity, all 15
numbers are tied together by the theme of Christmas.
For Powell, a native New Yorker, watching Christmas come alive
on the stage when she was young always held the fondest memories of
both the holidays and her family.
"I saw it first when I was a child and I’ve remembered it all my
life," Powell says. "I was talking to my family about how I was
involved, and I have a 70-year-old aunt who said, ‘I wanted to be a
Rockette when I was young.’ I think it’s one of those reasons why
it’s successful. It’s teamed generations of people, so each
generation wants to share it with the next because they remember it
so fondly."
Ann Miller, one of the Rockettes for the L.A. production and a
West Coast native, remembers having the same contemplation as a
child, watching clips of the Rockettes on television in the news
and in parades. In her fourth year as a Rockette (having performed
in Branson and Myrtle Beach, S.C.), Miller still finds excitement
in witnessing the warm and excited reactions of the crowd upon
seeing the Rockettes.
"To me it’s the whole reason to be a part of the show," Miller
says. "It’s just amazing – no matter where I’ve gone with the show,
people know who the Rockettes are. There’s just an energy you get
back from the audience when we’re on stage, and everyone’s excited
to see our high kicks.
"It’s just completely rewarding because everyone takes something
from it," Miller continues. "You’ve got everyone ranging from small
children to elderly people … There’s something they’re taking
away with them when they leave the show no matter what."
The show’s appeal can be attributed to the wide celebration of
Christmas, a holiday that people of all ages can enjoy. For Miller
and her family, the performance even surpasses the idea of a
Christmas theme.
"It even reaches out past the whole idea of Christmas," Miller
says. "My family’s Jewish, and my father still grew up coming to
the show, so the overall message of the show is the holiday spirit
… it’s just exciting that it could be as universal as this."
For those behind the scenes, the perfect holiday settings and
mood are created a month before. All the performers are
professionals, including the animals and children, and can spend
more than seven hours a day rehearsing. The Rockettes, a group of
20 dancers, are all versatile professionals who must also be able
to act and sing. In addition to dancing, the Rockettes will also
sing the opening number and two new numbers.
Also included in the cast are 22 singers and dancers, four
children, two ice skaters, six elves and Santa Claus.
Starting Dec. 9, the show will come together in front of live
audiences.
At the stage two weeks before its opening, Powell is already
feeling the twangs of excitement and nostalgia that comes at the
opening of the curtains.
"I was in the auditorium, and they were doing the lights for the
front curtains," Powell says.
"When (the) stars move across it, it does something to you when
you see it all come together. Then the curtain comes up, and you
see the stage for the first time, twinkling all over the place and
people making an entrance to the music," Powell continues.
"You’ve been working on it for weeks – you see it come together
and your heart starts beating faster. It really is quite stunning
to see it all come together."
Powell is looking forward to the same response from the L.A.
audience at the spectacular’s premiere this year. The L.A.
production will mark the extension of the well-known tradition to
the West Coast for the first time.
"Everyone looks forward to Christmas morning or Christmas Eve,"
Powell says.
"Every family has their tradition, whether it’s eggnog or each
year in England, they have this Christmas pageant. Well, for us
here in the States, it’s the Christmas Spectacular because it
becomes a tradition. It helps you bring in the season."
PERFORMANCE: "The Radio City Christmas Spectacular" runs Dec. 9
through 29 at the Universal Amphitheater. Ticket are $19.50 to
$59.50 and are available through Ticketmaster.
Davidson & Choy Publicity
The Rockettes will be coming to the Universal Amphitheater with
their show, "The Radio City Christmas Spectacular."
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