BWW Interviews: Two Touring Rockettes Talk Radio City Spectacular

Jingle Bells start ringing and you know the time has come to celebrate Christmas when the words Radio City hit the airwaves. The Radio City Christmas Spectacular Starring The Rockettes
is that one-of-a-kind special Christmas show and plays the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles December 9 - 12. I interviewed two of the gorgeous New York girls who are on tour for the first time this year: Amanda Suchy and Brittany Marcin. Both had thrilling reports on the fabulous 2010 show.

Amanda Suchy
Originally from Kentucky, Amanda has spent the last eleven years in NYC as actress/singer/dancer.

How many of those eleven years have you been with The Rockettes?

Ten years actually.

You've been trained as a classical dancer, correct?

Yes. I danced with a ballet company in Kentucky and also was a dance major in college in Dallas, Texas. So I had a liitle bit of a taste of the big city before I went to New York.

So dance is your career?

I've also done commerical work, but for ten years I've danced with The Rockettes at Radio City.

How does it feel to tour for the first time?

It's exciting. I've never been on the west coast for such an extended period. It's really cool to see another part of the country and to bring the Christmas Spectacular to cities and people who've never seen it before.

Tell me about the show and what the dancers are doing in it.

We've actually been able to recreate the exact same show that we do at Radio City Music Hall. They came up with the Arena Tour production because we can now bring the show in tact from the great space at Radio City. It's so cool to travel with a show of that magnitude, created especially for these large venues like the Nokia Theatre.

Is there anything in the tour show that you didn't do in New York?

No, it's the same show: our eight minute high infused classic tap number, and the ragdolls in Santa's workshop. Kids love it. Santa Claus still stars with us. Have you seen the number with the double decker bus?

No. Tell me about it.

There's this giant LED screen in the background. I believe it's the largest that's ever traveled. It shows scenes of New York City at Christmastime. The Rockettes are on a real double decker bus that moves around the stage, and it looks like we're really driving through New York City. The crowd loves it.

That sounds like such fun. Do you still have the living Nativity?

Yes, it's been in the show since 1933, as well as the parade of the wooden soldiers. It's my favorite. So many people walk away from the show talking about it, because of the formation. The precision is so beautiful to watch.

Terrific! I'm so looking forward to seeing the show!

You're seeing it? Great! Be sure to stop back and say hi!

Brittany Marcin
Born and raised in St. Augustine, Florida. Brittany did ballet, but after high school went to New York, as she always wanted to be a rockette.

How long have you been doing the Christmas Spectacular?

This is my fifth season now. They've been in New York, so it's exciting to be on the road.

Have you ever been in LA before?

I've done two shows in LA: the original production of Curtains and the first national tour of Young Frankenstein, but it's fun to be back with a different kind of show.

What is your favorite part of the show?

A number called "Let Christmas Shine". It kind of gives the audience a glimpse at The Rockettes like a sea. All the women wear beautiful costumes that have over three thousand crystals on them. There's a fun video montage that shows The Rockettes through the years, so once the curtain goes up, it's really a spectacular moment.

Do you think that adults will like the Christmas Spectacular as much as kids?

Oh, absolutely. The wonderful thing about the show is that it appeals to all ages. Grandparents can bring their grandchildren. It becomes a family tradition and experience. If for some reason I don't do the show one year, my family will say, "Why aren't you doing The Rockettes this year? That's my favorite thing to come see." It's a wonderful thing to bring families together. And the technology in this new 2010 show is amazing!

Brittany said it. This is a treat for the entire family that you cannot afford to miss.

In Anaheim first at the Honda Center (formerly the Arrowhead Pond) December 6-7

and then in LA at the Nokia Theatre L.A.-Live December 9-12 only!

Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE
777 Chick Hearn Court, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Visit: www.ticketmaster.com for show times and prices

 

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