Practice makes perfection for Rockettes

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The Rockettes rehearse their Radio City Christmas Spectacular at the Fox Theatre Tuesday, Nov 17, 2009. Photos by Elissa Eubanks

When it comes to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes, not even a little backstage chaos can spoil the onstage perfection.The popular holiday show opens at the Fox Theatre Thursday and is set to run through Dec. 6.

Prepping for opening night requires the efforts of 125 cast and crew members, three weeks of advance rehearsals at a vacant strip mall in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and about a week to stage the show at each new venue.

The 18 Rockettes (and four swings who act as substitutes for injured, ill or absent performers) turn their proficiency in ballet, jazz, tap and modern dance into the Rockette style of precision dance.

The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers -- a crowd-pleaser that features a dramatic fall -- are the only two numbers that have been performed in every production of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular since 1933.

The Rockettes' toy soldier pants that are made by Vincent Minelli stand up on their own to make the dancers walk straighter during their performance.

The Rockettes' toy soldier pants hang backstage on a rack next to the various hats and other accessories the dancers will wear during their performance.

But the show isn't all about the Rockettes. There are 14 singers and dancers, two children, four little people and one Santa Claus. There are also seven live animals that appear in The Living Nativity.

With so many costume changes, the scene in the Rockette Corral can get hectic. Thirteen dressers stack costumes of the 18 Rockettes on folding chairs with each dancer's name. As they exit the stage, the dancers toss old outfits into giant personal laundry baskets, and dress for the next number. At a second station, they pick up hats and hairpins and head back to the stage.

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When it comes to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes, not even a little backstage chaos can spoil the onstage perfection.The popular holiday show opens at the Fox Theatre Thursday and is set to run through Dec. 6.

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