You may have seen them.
Tall, graceful women, faces perfectly made up, decked head-to-toe in red velvet, fur-lined holiday costumes, glittering with silver rhinestones and gliding effortlessly on silver shoes. The Rockettes have taken over Baltimore.
Four dancers were in town this week to promote the biggest production of the “Radio City Christmas Spectacular” in the show’s 76-year history. This year marks the debut of a whole new spectacular, redesigned specifically for large-scale venues and playing to 18 cities in the U.S.
The fair-haired Temple Kane, a Towson University graduate, laughs as she recalls her initial audition with the Rockettes.
“There was this huge audition sign posted that said ‘5-foot 9-inches, No Exceptions.’ Well, I’m 5-foot 10-inches,” she said. “But I knew that Radio City, with the Rockettes, was where I needed to work. So when they measured me in my stocking feet, I just did kind of a spinal crunch, and thankfully it worked!”
It’s the 13th season for Kane to take her place in the kick line.
“We are athletes,” she said. “It’s taken our whole life’s training, discipline and a lot of dedication to make our dream come true.”
Apparently the public thinks so too. When tickets for the Baltimore shows went on sale on Monday, more than 1,200 tickets were sold in a mere 45 minutes, a small indicator that the Radio City Christmas Spectacular is still one of the most anticipated performances in the U.S. today.
“The show really is for the whole family,” said Jenelle Engleson, who has danced with the Rockettes for 6 seasons. The Waldorf resident moved to New York immediately after graduating high school to put her dance, music and theater background to good use.
Engleson said she was blown away when she was accepted into the Rockettes.
“The second I got my acceptance letter, I was calling all of my friends and family,” Engleson said. “I was this small-town girl going to the big city. I was living the dream.”
More than 900 women from across the country audition each year for the coveted 25 spots. And although the competition gets tougher every year, Kane says she’ll keep vying for her spot every year until she’s cut. “Once a Rockette, always a Rockette, I say!”
IF YOU GO
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular Starring the Rockettes
Where: 1st Mariner Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 2 p.m. Friday; 1, 4:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 3:30 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2–7
Tickets: $31 to $81
Info: www.radiocitychristmas.com
