The Rockettes Rock Washington DC

The famous Radio City Christmas Spectacular, starring the world-famous high-kicking Rockettes will be performing at two Washington, DC area venues, the Verizon Center and the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Virginia in December.

Since 1933, the Rockette’s annual winter extravaganza has been delighting New York Audiences, but in 1994, they took to the road and tour nationally.

The Rockettes will be performing their signature dance numbers including the audience favorite “The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” dressed in their famous Babes in Toyland outfits will delight audiences with their precision chorus line dancing and signature high kicks.  Additionally, “The Living Nativity,” complete with live animals are sure to delight the children.  Another Christmas themed number, “Twelve Days of Christmas” shows off the troupe’s tap dancing skills.  And expect a visit from Santa as well during the the show. 

To become a Rockette dancer, women must be between 5’ 6” and 5’ 10½” tall and have solid dancing skills including tap, ballet, and jazz.

To prep for the 90-minute show, the dancers practice and rehearsal for just 3 or 4 weeks, rehearsing  6 hours a day with only one day off a week.  The show includes up to 8 costume changes and over 300 high kicks from the world-class caliber athletes attired in dazzling costumes and 3-inch heels.  Their famous chorus line eye-high kicks are carefully measured and practiced so that no dancer kicks higher than the others, although most can. 

I was lucky enough to attend one of their Christmas Spectacular shows at Radio City Music Center in New York a few years ago, and it was a fantastic and very entertaining show.  IT’s definitely a holiday show for the entire family.

Radio City Christmas Spectacular
Two venues in the Washington, DC area.

Patriot Center
4500 Patriot Circle
Fairfax, Virginia  22030  (map it)

Dates and Times – Tuesday & Wednesday – December 15 & 16, 2009. Show times:

• Tuesday – 4:00 & 7:00 p.m. 
• Wednesday 4:00 & 7:00  p.m.

Tickets – Adults – $52.50, $79.50 and Gold Circle $99.00, children $37.50 & 64.50, and are available online.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Vienna/GMU – Orange line, then a 6-mile cab ride.

Parking – Free.

Verizon Center
601 F Street, NW, between 6th and 7th Streets, NE
Washington, DC 20004  (map it)

Dates and Times – Friday – Sunday, December 18-20, 2009. Show times:

• Friday – 4:00 & 7:00 p.m. 
• Saturday – 1:00, 4:00 & 7:00  p.m.
• Sunday – 1:00 & 4:00 p.m.

Tickets – Adults – $49.50, $67.50 and Gold Circle $125.00, children $34.50 & 61.50, and are available online.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Gallery Place / Chinatown (the Metro station is part of the Verizon Center) – Red, Yellow and Green lines or use the DC Circulator bus.

Parking – Limited street parking in the area, but various paid lots and garages are within a short walk.

Images – Flickr – falling toy soldiers, Rockettes on the water, Rockettes in naval uniforms - Wikipedia