European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 23, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse Radio City rockette still kicking i Sid Schapiro t would make an army Drill sergeant drool to see the Well drilled routine of the world famous precision dancing rockette at the radio City music Hall in new York. And it would make an army recruit turn Over in his sack to learn that in that lies behind the precision of 36 girls dancing As sane is Drill Drill Drill the rockette Are continually being scrutinized by e troupe s Captain and constantly being polished in i hearsay sessions. For when the rockette kick they ii kick to the same height when they tap their taps re pure precision and when they move in a ruler straight line to the footlights each girl looks As if she is been made from the same Mold blondes brunettes red Heads they stand from 5 oot-5 to 5-foot-8 in their blocking feet. The uniformity of appearance of those 36 pretty maids All in a Row is an optical illusion. The Shorter girls Are placed at the end f the line graduating to the taller girls at the Center re atm the illusion for the audience that All the girls ire the same height. The shapely and talented rockette Are not chosen 6r their Beauty but for dancing ability stage presence grooming. Personality projection and very important self discipline. They look More like the girl next door than showgirls. They come from All parts of the United states. Rockette proudly and accurately Call themselves lancers. They dislike the antiquated terms Chorine my one of the Phenomena of new York show business s the crowd that flocks to the music Hall during the Holiday season. And one of the biggest attractions at he world s most spectacular theater is its annual Christmas show starring the rockette put on five Imes a Day from mid november to Jan. 3. The theater Las More than 6,000 seats. Radio City music Hall is part of the Rockefeller Center business and entertainment Center. The theater s one of 16 buildings occupying an area of about 15 acres in the heart of Manhattan. The part of Rockefeller Center which includes the Vlasic Hall and the broadcasting and television studios of Pijie National broadcasting company is often called radio City and makes up about Ono sixth of the Center. At one time the rockette worked a 52-week year in the rockette perform their annual Christmas show at radio City music Hall in new York. Shows that were mainly adjuncts to the theater s movies. The music Hall stopped becoming a vast movie Palace 10 years ago. Now the rockette work in specials like the current Christmas show and next year s easter show plus making special appearances elsewhere. The format of the yuletide production has changed Over the years. Originally like the easter event it was a Short affair presented in tandem with the feature film. Today it s a 90-minute spectacular a blockbuster attraction on its own showcasing 117 performers including the rockette and the music Hall orchestra. The show s finale is the classic living nativity and has been performed in every Christmas show since 1933. During the tableau the entire length of the choral stairs is filled with singers. The pageant features Kings Angels Wise men and shepherds along with sheep camels and donkeys in the portrayal of the first Chris Mas. Next april the music Hall will again present an easter show for the first time in 11 years. In the past the music Hall has often paid tribute to the armed forces through spectaculars saluting each of the services. In the meantime some of the High stepping rockette have danced in various other shows and productions in specials with Peter Allen and other headlines an easter show in Australia a super bowl halftime show a David Letterman anniversary special Etc. Sometimes it s not the entire line that s involved. Thirteen rockette toured with Chita Rivera in can can in the United states and Japan. That still leaves a lot of time for other things and other jobs. However the 36 girls in the line along with a dozen swing dancers or understudied have one thing in common they would rather be rockette than just about anything else. They be even quit other full time jobs to do what is now a Job with some very High spots and some Slack periods. There s Maureen Pollack of Washington n.c., who has been a rockette for eight years appearing in the Christmas show and other events. She was a computer data entry clerk in a Bank when this year s Christmas show came around. When i had to decide Between what i was doing there and what i wanted to do Here the decision kind of made itself she said. I really love it Kerri Pearsall of Bellmore ., in Long Island is a second generation rockette her Mother was in the line in the late 40s and Early 50sand it s so great doing the wooden soldiers number my mom did the same this is her 10th Christmas show and she is looking Forward to her first easter show next april. Tho rest of the time she dances in Industrial shows models shoes and teaches dancing in her Mother s studio in Bellmore. Prudy Gray 16 years a rockette has two Young children. She teaches dancing at a senior citizens Center in Forest Hills Line dances that the seniors can dance without she is a devoted rockette going Back in the line five weeks after her second child was born. Stephanie Chase whose 14-year-old son comes backstage to play with the kids in the Christmas show has been a rockette for five years. She teaches jazz and dance movement classes at Juilliard but when the music Hall beckons her husband Bob lakes Over her classes. Says she it s an Ideal setup " Elizabeth Chan. Of Laurel md., uses her time off to study for a career As a physical therapist and to work at Beth Israel Hospital in Manhattan. She s been a rockette for nine years. There Are some things the music Hall won t talk about. The rockette Ages for example. They have to be 18 to Start and they can dance As Long As they can dance a spokesperson said. Mtr so Cha Poi. Retired but Mikhy Alao in tucking wat Lor Miny Yeara a number of to Start and str Pat new York Bureau Santa s Busy making his list. Have you made yours yet be sure to include children s Christmas books available at savings of 25% off or More on your list for this Christmas. You la find such popular characters As frosty he snowman and Rudolph the red nosed Reindeer a Many others available in colouring books pop up books stencils books & tapes magic slates Story treasures and other children s Christmas titles at a stars and stripes Bookstore near you. Make sure you be added children s Christmas books from your stars and stripes Bookstore to your list and remember. They re All available at savings of 25% off or Morel saturday december 23, 1989 the stars and stripes Page 17
