The Spectacular

Just as his character is portrayed in The Spectacular, the historical Russell Markert established the iconic dance style for the Rockettes by blending the dancers’ glamor with the military-like precision of their choreography. Russell served as the Rockettes' chief choreographer from the 1920s through the 1970s, and like his fictional character, he was highly regarded as a considerate, father-like figure for the dancers. The original 1925 group of 16 dancers (now 36) needed to meet certain height and weight requirements while demonstrating proficiency in tap, modern, ballet, and jazz dance styles. The dancers take pride in blending as a group to create the illusion of one effortless collective movement onstage. Often seen as a symbol of American culture abroad, a traveling troupe of performers represented the Rockettes until 2015.

Although the Rockettes are known for their uniformity while performing, the dancers occasionally break ranks to advocate for their own personal, professional, and political beliefs. Active in the 1960s feminist movement, the Rockettes proved successful in their efforts to strike for better working conditions. More recently, several dancers protested performing during President Donald Trump’s inauguration in 2016. Just as the character of Marion proves that women—especially those working in the performing arts—are not to be underestimated, the Rockettes periodically demonstrate leadership in the New York community. For example, the dancers played a critical role in saving Radio City Music Hall from financial closure and demolition in the 1970s. While other forms of entertainment at Radio City evolved over the years, transitioning from movies to live performances, the Rockettes’ uniform performance style remains the same. While the dancers have updated their choreography to follow more modern trends and embrace diversity, their famous kick line and exactitude remain the same, especially during the Christmas Spectacular show.