10. Performances by the Radio City Rockettes
For almost a century, the Radio City Rockettes have dazzled the world with their dance performances. Founded in 1925 by Russell Markert, the Rockettes — originally known as the Missouri Rockets — were inspired by The Tiller Girls, a British dance troupe known for their 1922 Ziegfeld Follies production. After making their debut in St. Louis, the group was discovered by showman S.L. “Roxy” Rothafel, who moved the troupe to Radio City Music Hall for opening night on December 27th, 1932.
During World War II, the Rockettes became some of the first entertainers to volunteer for the United Services Organization (USO), helping to entertain troops stationed at the Copacabana, Army Air Corps base in Pawling, New York, and at the Stage Door Canteen. Most recently, the Rockettes are known for having performed at the inauguration of the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush, in 2001.
Today, the Rockettes are known for their Radio City Christmas Spectacular, an annual 90-minute musical holiday stage show performed in November and December at Radio City Music Hall. The show features more than 150 performers and an original musical score, combining singing, dancing, and humor with traditional Christmas scenes. In addition, the performance features real-life camels, sheep, and donkeys in the “Living Nativity,” which are given daily exercise twice a day on the streets outside the Music Hall. After being canceled in 2020, the Rockettes will return this year for the holiday season, performing every night from December 2nd through January 2, 2022. Tickets can be purchased online and range in price from around $60 to $260.
