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Section C • Sunday, September 29, 2013
spotlight on
FALL ARTS
’ N I E K H T C I F N F K O O S A SE Special Photo
The Rockettes to make local stop in Atlanta By Meghan Kotowski
meghan.kotowski@gwinnettdailypost.com
ATLANTA — Christmas comes to metro Atlanta early this year when 18 women stop by the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in November. That’s right — The Rockettes are bringing their high-kicking, precision dancing to town Nov. 7 through 23 with a new production of its iconic show “Radio City Christmas Spectacular.” “We are thrilled to return to Atlanta at the Cobb Energy Centre with IF YOU GO an all new • What: “Radio City production Christmas Spectacular” of the ‘Radio starring The Rockettes City Christmas • When: Nov. 7-23, Spectacular,’” dates and times vary said Don • Where: Cobb Energy Simpson, Performing Arts Centre, executive 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta vice president • Cost: $34.15 to of produc$140.75 tions at MSG • For more informaEntertainment. tion: Visit www.cobben“With new ergycentre.com state-of-theart technology coupled with dazzling new Rockettes choreography and performance elements, the 2013 production offers a truly immersive experience like nothing Atlanta audiences have ever seen. Returning audiences will be amazed by the transformation of the ‘Christmas Spectacular,’ and new fans will not want to miss this show.” New features include several additional dance numbers set in front of a 50-foot LED screen that takes the audience through New York City, hitting major landmarks during the holidays, and Santa’s workshop. It may be 2013, but there are still many of the traditional numbers to be performed, like “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” and “The Living Nativity,” which have been a part of the show since The Rockettes’ inception in 1933. “They are definitely traditional (numbers) that people look forward to,” said Joanna Richardson, who has been a Rockette for eight years. “Especially people that saw See rockettes, Page 6c
Joanna Richardson, left, and Alina Duncan are two Rockettes who will be stopping by the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre for the “Radio City Christmas Spectacular” from Nov. 7 to 23. (Staff Photo: Jason Braverman)
FUN COSTUME FACTS • More than 300 costumes and 200 hats are used in the “Radio City Christmas Spectacular.” Each costume is exclusively designed for the show.
• Each pair of pants used in the “Wooden Soldier” act must be so heavily starched that it can stand up on its own — with no person inside to support it.
• Each season, the wardrobe department makes thousands of red cotton dots for the Rockettes’ cheeks.
• Hundreds of Austrian crystals are hand-applied to each costume for the “Reindeer” sequence.
• With the alternating green and red Rockettes during “New York at Christmas,” this costume marked the first time in history that the legendary precision dancers were not dressed identically.