Arts & Entertainment

Rockettes Kick Out a New Show for Summer

May 27, 2016

By: Hannah Gundermann

Many dancers look up to the phenomenal Radio City Rockettes. Now, there is more to these talented dancers than just their Christmas Spectacular.

The Radio City Rockettes are an iconic group of women located in New York City. Every year the Rockettes star in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular during the winter. For the first time last year, the Rockettes had a second show in the spring. Going for a similar idea this year, they are performing the New York Spectacular.

Thirty-six girls, dancing as one on the huge stage of New Yorks Radio City Music Hall on Oct. 15, 1958, are the envy of many other girls throughout the United States. The dancers are the celebrated Rockettes. One of the dancers, Mary Ann Strilka of Olyphant, Pa., in a black leotard, white ballet slippers and socks is caught by the camera in some of the behind-the-scenes work at the theater. (AP Photo/Anthony Camerano)

The Rockettes date back to 1925 when they were previously known as the “Missouri Rockets.” The group was located in St. Louis until 1932 when they were moved to their current location in New York City. Now, everyone knows the Rockettes for their performances on the Radio City Music Hall stage.

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The New York Spectacular is set to run from June 15 through August 7. The Rockettes will take the stage every day except for Tuesdays and sometimes perform more than one time a day during this cycle.

In the Spring Spectacular last year, the Rockettes were involved in recreating familiar New York scenery with a storyline incorporated. This year’s storyline will be focused around a family and their trip to New York City. The two children are separated from their parents and are helped by the Rockettes.

According to Variety Media, the biggest takeaway from the show last year was that audiences wanted to see more of the actual Rockette dancers. To improve this show, they will keep the storyline, but use the Rockettes much more.

The cast is made up of 36 Rockettes, who will be the stars of the show. It will also include an ensemble that will make the total cast out to about 70 people.

The most anticipated element of this show is the choreographer, Mia Michaels. Michaels is best known for her work on the show So You Think You Can Dance. She has also worked with notable artists such as Madonna, Celine Dion, Prince, and more.

Michaels had worked with the Rockettes to choreograph one of the dance numbers in the Spring Spectacular last year. She is returning to bring more of her fresh take on the classic style.

Taylor Lewis, 22, left, from Baltimore, Md., line up with other dancers outside Radio City Music Hall waiting to audition for "Rockettes New York Spectacular" on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016, in New York. "I pray that I make it all the way through," said Lewis, hoping to land a spot in the summertime production from June 15 through Aug. 7, 2016. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews) — Taylor Lewis, 22, left, from Baltimore, Md., line up with other dancers outside Radio City Music Hall waiting to audition for “Rockettes New York Spectacular” on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016, in New York. “I pray that I make it all the way through,” said Lewis, hoping to land a spot in the summertime production from June 15 through Aug. 7, 2016. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

Another change from the Spring Spectacular will be the time of year. In 2015, the show ran from March 26 through May 3. The shift is said to be due to the increase in tourism during the summer.

According to Variety Media, tourism increases by about 30% in the city during the summer months. The leaders of the New York Spectacular are hoping the show will attract a lot of the city’s visitors.

David O’Conner, the President-CEO of MSG, said that the organization producing the New York Spectacular hopes to expand the brand. O’Conner wants to build more productions overtime. The addition of the New York Spectacular will help expand the brand. Now, Rockette and dance fans will have more opportunities to see talent on the Radio City stage.

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