Celebrating 100 Years of the Rockettes

It’s a celebration of an iconic group. Fans of the renowned Radio City Music Hall dance troupe will be excited about the tribute marking the Rockettes’ 100th anniversary.

Recently reported, the city has officially renamed the street in front of the venue to “Rockets Way,” complete with a stylish black-and-white sign featuring bright gold lettering at the intersection of 50th Street and Sixth Avenue. This is a fitting tribute as the theater company marks its century. The much-loved “Christmas Spectacular” starts on Thursday nights.

City rules about road signs are often strict, but when the owner of MSG Entertainment reached out to the New York City Department of Transportation for a special sign, the response was quick—almost instantaneous.

Quickly, the staff at the DOT Sign Shop in Queens worked to finish the custom sign within three days, just in time for its debut outside the famous theater.

They’ve even made a limited run of 25 “Rockets Way” signs, for sale at New York City malls for $100 each.

For fans and dancers, this celebration is pretty special.

“The Rockettes have shown year after year that they are not just part of our culture, but an essential element that unites us. Their passion and enthusiasm inspire not only New York and the country but the entire world,” Mindy Moller, a longtime dancer, told reporters.

Before the Rockettes became a household name, they were a smaller troupe based in St. Louis. In 1925, choreographer Russell Marquardt was tasked with creating a professional dance group to perform at the Missouri Theater.

After auditions, he formed a talented team that he initially named the “Missouri Rockets.” The choice of the name “rocket” didn’t have anything to do with dance, but it sounded fitting, perhaps echoing their precision and impressive moves.

The Missouri Rockets soon gained traction and embarked on a national tour, eventually performing in New York where they caught the eye of Samuel “Roxy” Rothafel, the owner of the newly opened Roxy Theatre. By 1930, he had moved them to New York, expanding their ensemble and rebranding them as the “L’Oxiettes.”

In 1932, the group performed at the brand-new Radio City Music Hall and introduced their first “Christmas Spectacular” just a year later.

The name evolved one last time to “Rockettes” in 1934 after some fine-tuning, and the group has been a legend ever since.

“How many dance companies in America can claim a century of existence? Not many. It’s truly a remarkable honor to celebrate this milestone, signifying how the Rockettes have weathered the ups and downs of history,” Moller expressed with excitement.

So far, over 72 million people have witnessed the Rockettes performing their signature eye-high kicks in the Christmas show.

This year’s ticket holders will be treated to something new—a video tribute before the show highlighting the Rockettes’ 100-year journey, featuring reflections from past and present dancers.

Enhancements to the show include improved acoustics, thanks to the Sphere Immersive Sound System—a nod to MSG’s flashy venue in Las Vegas.

The 100th-anniversary festivities extend beyond Radio City. Popular spots like Serendipity Three and Magnolia Bakery are serving themed treats, all celebrating “The Spectacular,” which will run until January 5, 2026.

Landmarks like the Empire State Building and Broadway Museum honor the Rockettes by showcasing archival photos and costumes designed by various creative minds over the decades.

As for costumes, the famous “Parade of Wooden Soldiers” was crafted by Vincente Minnelli and has remained mostly unchanged since 1932, while a few tweaks have made the outfits more comfortable over time.

“Every Rockette who has ever danced at Radio City has worn that outfit,” Tuttle noted.

While many traditions endure, like the iconic red lips and French twists, the Rockettes have also evolved significantly over the past century.

The original Kickline had just 16 dancers, but now, there are 42 Rockettes across two casts.

Height requirements have shifted over time too. Originally, dancers needed to be between 5 feet 2 inches and 5 feet 6.5 inches tall, whereas now the range is 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 10.5 inches.

In an age where social media dominates, the Rockettes continue to find ways to stay relevant, engaging with fans and participating in various events, like dancing with celebrities and performing at community gatherings.

“We recognize how much this brand means to so many people, including those who may never see us perform live,” Tuttle reflected.

The Rockettes’ strong legacy is also anchored in their sense of sisterhood and community. Tuttle emphasized the tremendous diversity among the women who have been part of this journey.

“When they come together, they create something truly extraordinary,” she concluded.