The Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall, one of New York City’s most celebrated performance centers opened in December 1932. The 5,960-seat hall (and standing room for 6,225) was constructed as part of the Rockefeller Center complex during the Great Depression. It was designed by renowned architect Edward Durell Stone in collaboration with designer Donald Deskey. (Stone also designed the Museum of Modern Art, in New York City and the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Deskey won the competition to design the interiors of Radio City and in the 1940s, at his own studio he created some of the most recognizable designs in the American marketplace, namely the Crest toothpaste tube and the Tide laundry detergent bullseye.) The Music Hall was envisioned as a grand space for music and theatre performances. The proposed layout was welcomed since it would come to life in the Art Deco style, which was widely admired at the time.
From its inception, Radio City Music Hall was a pioneer in the entertainment industry. Its grand opening featured the film “Walking Down Broadway” and a live performance by the Rockettes, a dance company that has since become synonymous with the venue. The hall’s design emphasized acoustics and sightlines, which contributed to exceptional performances by major artists and productions over the decades.
Throughout its history, the Music Hall has hosted a diverse array of events, from film premieres to concert performances. It became the home of the annual Radio City Christmas spectacular in 1933, which has remained a holiday tradition for millions. The venue became a key site for film and variety shows during the mid-20th century.
Today, Radio City Music Hall stands as a National Historic Landmark between 50th and 51st Streets at 1260 6th Avenue (Avenue of the Americas). With its continued relevance in the entertainment world, Radio City remains a cherished symbol of New York City’s history.
The Rockettes
The Rockettes is a world-famous organization of dancers that keeps a headquarters at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The group consists of about 90 women, mostly under 30 years of age (32 to 40 performing at each show) who conform to the same height and weight standards that are demanding. The kick-line dancers are known for their precision choreography, particularly during the holiday season when they perform up to 180 ninety-minute shows. [Editor’s note: this season’s tickets (2024) range from $100–$125 for upper seats, while premium seats in the center orchestra cost between $200–$400. Each performance’s gate receipts average $1,867,500, plus gift shop souvenirs sales and bar and beverage sales.]
The history of this celebrated dance troupe dates to 1925 when the “Rockette” name was first imagined. The original group, known as the “Missouri Rockets,” was founded in St. Louis, but soon relocated to New York, where they made their debut at the Roxy Theatre.
When Radio City Music Hall opened, the Rockettes became a staple of its holiday show, The Christmas Spectacular. The performance showcased the Rockettes’ signature high kicks and synchronized dance routines, which captivated the audience. Each show would set new Broadway standards. Over the years, the Rockettes evolved to reflect changes in fashion and music, but it was their unchanged excellence that caused audiences to return year-after-year.
Throughout their history, the Rockettes have faced some challenges – economic downturns and changes in entertainment choices, however, they have consistently adapted, embracing new forms of media and performance while retaining the elements that define them. In 1982, the Rockettes integrated into a more diverse range of performances and performers. The broadening of their performance venues (film and television specials) also helped to solidify their place in pop culture.
The Rockettes remain a symbol of New York’s arts scene – on a recent Saturday, more than 13,000 tickets (two full house/SRO shows) were sold. Radio City draws millions of visitors each year. As they celebrate nearly a century of artistry, the Rockettes continue to capture audiences who arrive in New York with twinkles in their eyes.
Thanks for this very fine article the subject of which reminded me of an experience from at least 20 years ago. My wife & I were in NY city and we were, of course, touring Radio City Music Hall. In the great Foyer, our guide asked where everyone in the group was from. We replied ‘Yakima in Washington State.’ Other places such as Connecticut, Georgia etc – all east coast were named. Later a lady came over and asked if we were the folks from Yakima, ‘we were,’ and she went on to tell us she had lived here while… Read more »
Once of my aunts had a dream of joining the Rockettes, but she never grew to the minimum height (5’2″ at the time) the troupe required.
I loved the history lesson about the “Missouri Rockets”. My wife and I had a very memorable trip to NYC a few years ago that included a Rockettes Christmas-time show. I don’t know if I need to have any of these postcards in my collection, but it was great seeing them.
Read the Spectacular by Fiona Davis –
Fiction with a huge dollop of Radio City and the Rockettes.
Great article. It brings back memories of when I saw the Rockettes in 1966 during a visit to New York City. I was amazed by the immense size of Radio City Music Hall compared to the 3 movie theaters we had in Galveston, Texas.