'U' grads perform with the Rockettes

As winter quickly approaches, the holiday season comes as well. Local malls are packed with shoppers, houses are covered in fairy lights and "The Radio City Christmas Spectacular" is brought to life in various cities across the nation.

Looking at the faces behind the bright smiles, eye-high kicks and teddy bear costumes in the show, two faces may look familiar. Rockette Kristi Young and chorus member Matt Toronto graduated from the University.

"I graduated in '98 with a degree in Musical Theater," explained Toronto, who will sing and dance in the chorus for his first Radio City show.

Young, however, is a six-year veteran of the show. "I had always seen the Rockettes at "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade" and when I saw an audition posting in the "Entertainment Trade Paper," I thought I'd be right for the part," said Young, who dan

Courtesy of Olympia Entertainment The Rockettes perform during the holiday season at the Fox Theater.

ced and co-directed with Impact Jazz Company while at the University.

She competed against hundreds of aspiring Rockettes auditioning across the country to become one of the approximately 200 current Rockettes. Since 1932, nearly 2,000 women have danced as Rockettes.

Aspiring Rockettes must be proficient in jazz, tap, ballet and modern dance, and must also have vocal talents. "We sing about four numbers in the show while dancing, so it's kind of hard to catch your breath," said Young.

Rockettes also must be between 5' 5" to 5' 10" to meet a height requirement. The tallest women are placed in the middle. Young is third from the middle this year to create an optical illusion. "You really have to work as a cohesive group, so it takes a lot of practice," said Young.

"It's grueling work," said Toronto. "The chorus goes in for rehearsal around 1 p.m., practices for four hours, gets a dinner break and then goes back until 9 p.m." Once the show starts its run, days will become even longer. In the 5-week run, the Christmas Show will be performed 70 times, meaning there are many days with three performances.

"It's tough," said Young, "It's kind of like having finals week for a month. You have to take your vitamins and eat right. There's a ton of chocolate and coffee involved."

Equally as tough is the performance itself. Cast members go through many clothing changes between scenes, some in less than 80 seconds. Rockettes have 10 costume changes, which includes outfit, hats and their famous tights. "Costume changes were the most difficult part to get used to," said Toronto, who will appear as a polar bear and robot. "My most difficult change is when I have two minutes to change and then run under the stage to get to the other side for the next number."

Several teddy bears, such as Toronto's polar bear, appear in the Nutcracker scene. The bear costumes weigh up to 60 pounds and are extremely hot. "I have to do normal ballet steps while in my polar bear costume," said Toronto.

Two months of intensive work seems like enough to burn out anyone, but not Toronto or Young. Young came in from Las Vegas where she performed as a Rockette in the year-round "Great Radio City Spectacular" show. She also holds the distinction as one of the few Rockettes to be a wife and mother.

"I'm the only one in the Detroit show with a child," said Young. "I get a lot of help from my husband and parents who live here. I danced until I was about four months pregnant and then took some time off."

Toronto is also married. He lives in New York now with his wife, who is also an actress, dancer and singer. Since graduating in '98, Toronto has performed in the musicals "Chess," "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and "West Side Story."

So what might the pros suggest to the aspiring college performers?

"Don't be afraid to try something new," suggests Toronto. "When in comes down to it, if you really want to be an artist, just do what you feel is right for you." For aspiring Rockettes, Young recommends, "Work on your tap dancing and practice those eye-high kicks."

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