Her love of dance leads to Rockettes
Growing up in Hanover Park, Gabrielle Del Re Ashley had never heard of the Radio City Rockettes, let alone seen their famous eye-high kick line.
Instead, she was busy studying ballet at Lisa Boehm's School of Dance in Elgin, and later, she immersed herself in gymnastics at Streamwood High School, where she was a three-time sectional qualifier.
But in 1999, when her older sister, Nickie, headed for a local audition, Ashley acted on a whim, and decided to tag along.
That was in 1999, and now in her ninth tour with the Rockettes, Ashley is one of its veterans, having performed her first four years along side of her sister, Nickie Masino, now a dance teacher in Elgin, Hanover Park and Schaumburg.
"It's a lot of hard work and discipline, and long days of rehearsing," said Ashley, who lives with her husband in Pingree Grove. "But I love it, I look forward to it all year."
Ashley and the Rockettes opened Nov. 9 in the "Radio City Christmas Spectacular" at the Rosemont Theatre. Its 39 performances run through Dec. 2.
Its colorful holiday review show includes such classic numbers as "Parade of Wooden Soldiers," which has been a "Radio City Christmas Spectacular" tradition since 1933.
Other numbers include "The Twelve Days of Christmas," which features a tap-dance extravaganza; as well as a rendition of "Sleighride," during which the Rockettes join Santa Claus on stage; and "Christmas Dreams," which brings the holiday season to life.
"It's such a great feeling to be part of this great holiday tradition that draws so many families together," Ashley said. "Just seeing the looks on children's faces makes all the hard work worthwhile. It's a privilege to be a part of it, an honor, really."
Ashley's road to becoming a professional dancer included the five years during high school when she walked away from ballet, to concentrate on her gymnastics.
But after graduating in 1994, she returned to her first love of ballet, training under Watmora Casey, at the Academy of Dance in Hanover Park.
"It's always been my passion," Ashley said. "I just felt like something was missing."
Her pursuit quickly became serious and included training with prima ballerina Gelsey Kirkland and David Howard, in New York. At the age of 19 Ashley became a professional ballerina, and now has performed in such memorable ballets as "Swan Lake," "Sleeping Beauty," "Paquita," "Les Sylphide" and "Giselle."
Ashley also has performed principal roles in The Nutcracker, both at Elgin's Hemmens Auditorium and at Schaumburg's Prairie Center for the Arts.
When she is not performing with the Rockettes -- her contract runs from October through December, including her run in Des Moines after Rosemont -- Ashley is a member of Elements Contemporary Ballet in Chicago.
"I think both my dance training and my gymnastics have helped me with the Rockettes," Ashley said. "You have to be very athletic and flexible to be a Rockette, and have a lot of strength."
Leading up to their opening, the Rockettes rehearsed seven hours a day, six days a week, consequently its members drew on all their training and conditioning all year long to prepare.
Prior tours with the Rockettes have taken Ashley to Branson, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Columbus, St. Louis, Atlanta, Orlando, Boston and Chicago.
"I've never performed in New York," Ashley said. "I've always chosen Chicago, when I've been able to. It's nice to be able to perform at home."
If you go
What: "Radio City Christmas Spectacular," starring the Rockettes and Hanover Park native Gabrielle Del Re Ashley
When: Shows run through Dec. 2; 1 and 4 p.m. today and Dec. 2; 2 p.m. Tuesday; 2 and 8 p.m. Friday; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 11 a.m. and 2, 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road in Rosemont
Cost: $25-$65
Call: Ticketmaster at (312) 559-1212 or visit www.ticketmaster.com