
Radio City has hosted the Tonys more than 15 times. Winning a Tony is a lifelong pursuit and dream for any theater professional, signaling the pinnacle of quality and achievement in the field. The Tony AwardsĮvery year the Broadway community comes together to celebrate the best of American Theater in a ceremony known as the Tony Awards, named after Antoinette Perry, a leader of the American Theatre Wing. The Rockettes have performed overseas to support American troops in USO shows and alongside special guests like Heidi Klum and Stephen Colbert. They have become so iconic, in fact, that Radio City takes them on the road. Their famous high kicks have helped cement them as the darlings of NYC, especially around the holidays. What began as a line of 16 dancers has now grown to 36. The aim was ultimate precision ― in fact, Rockettes have to be between 5 feet and 6 inches and 5 feet and 10.5 inches in height in order to achieve total uniformity. In the 1920s, choreographer Russell Markert had the novel idea of creating what we know today as the conventional chorus line. The Radio City Rockettesįor almost 100 years, the Radio City Rockettes have captured the hearts of audiences with unforgettable dance shows and their iconic annual Christmas Spectacular. Chances are you’ve heard of the most popular two: the Radio City Rockettes and the Tony Awards.

And Radio City Music Hall Is BornĪlthough Radio City Music Hall got its start in film, it’s now considered a premier destination for live entertainment and special events. He partnered with the Radio Corporation of America (the parent company of NBC) and architect Raymond Hood to develop a city within a city, called Radio City. He decided to push forward with the project anyway, and to make it even bigger and better than anyone could imagine. Rockefeller wasn’t going to be discouraged. Though the site had been prepped to become the new location for the Metropolitan Opera, those plans were scrapped. In 1929, the stock market crashed, ushering in the Great Depression. Rockefeller had a vision to develop it, but unfortunately the economy had other plans. Rockefeller, Jr.Īt the turn of the 20th century, this area of midtown was known as “the speakeasy belt,” and there wasn’t a lot to see. The center is named after the ubiquitous (in New York, at least) philanthropist and heir to the Standard Oil fortune, John D. Radio City Music Hall is part of the larger complex known as Rockefeller Center.
