"You should be so close that only a thin piece of paper can fit between your shoulders," one Rockette told the students. "And I noticed quite a few bent knees. Soldiers don't have knees."
Added Towson graduate Temple Kane, who has danced with the Rockettes for 12 seasons: "That gives you just a little idea of how precise we have to be."
Some elements of today's show would have been a dream in the 1930s. In the New York at Christmas number, the show uses a massive LED screen to make it seem as if the Rockettes, loaded onto a double-decker tourist-style bus, are tooling through Manhattan, driving past city landmarks festooned for the holidays.
There will also be an ice rink and a setup that allows Santa to "fly" over the audience in the arena as he heads to the North Pole.
"It is a big, bright and very splashy production," promises Jeff Capitola, the company's vice president of touring productions. "It's a mixture of theatrical technology and rock 'n' roll technology. The scope is really quite amazing."
The show is designed to appeal to families. Kids get plenty of Santa, dancers in goofy plush animals suits and even real animals that come out for another of the group's traditional numbers - the Living Nativity.
"It's great for families and great for the holidays," Harvey says. "In these not-so-ideal economic times, the show promotes a sense of community, unity, love and joy. Everyone should get to see it."
if you go
The Rockettes' Radio City Christmas Spectacular runs Tuesday through Dec. 7 at 1st Mariner Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St. Showtimes vary. Tickets $31-$81. Call 410-547-7328 or go to ticketmaster.com.
