A staple of the New York City holiday season is marking a century of wowing crowds: The high-kicking Radio City Rockettes are turning 100. The famed dance troupe will celebrate the anniversary with its annual Christmas Spectacular this week — a festive performance of synchronized dance routines that includes the troupe’s signature precision kick line as well as the fan-favorite “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers,” in which the costumed dancers march in military-like formation and then famously collapse like dominoes. The Rockettes represent a throwback to old-time New York, when Broadway was dominated by extravagant music and dance spectacles, elaborate costumes and lavish sets. Their journey through the past century has seen their modest Midwest beginning as a troupe of 16 precision dancers evolve into a large company of more than 80 staging as many as five shows a day. The shows incorporate a range of dance styles, including jazz, tap and ballet. |
