Rockettes in step with the holidays in Rosemont

The well-dressed families might riot if the Rockettes skipped "The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers."

And who could blame them?

The number has been in "The Radio City Christmas Spectacular" since the show hit Manhattan in 1933, and it's still the most fabulous segment of the evening.

In this number, the famous legs are hidden in long, white pants, but the precision of the pivots, turns, kicks, straight lines and pinwheels is still magical.

The legs are better displayed when the Rockettes show up as reindeer and in numbers like "The Twelve Days of Christmas," which features graceful tap dancing and, of course, kicks and a chorus line. Promoters promise you'll see 300 of the signature eye-high kicks in each show.

The most innocent cancan dance on record presents the Rockettes costumed head-to-toe as rag dolls in Santa's Workshop.

Although much of the choreography in non-Rockette numbers is not very challenging, the costumes and scenery are all brightly colored and glittery, and sometimes you just don't know where to look because there is so much going on.

While the Rockettes are strongly identified with their home in New York City, they really originated in the Midwest, starting as the Missouri Rockets in St. Louis in 1925.

Little girls in the audience who dream of the spotlight and sparkle will have to be athletic as well as graceful. These dancers really work, and candidates must show their legwork with jazz, ballet, modern dance and tap.

The "Living Nativity," also a staple for 75 years, really doesn't fit into the show. Yes, it's an attempt to bring in the real meaning of Christmas. And it's done tastefully without a single kick or show of leg. But all it has to offer are brightly colored costumes and real camels, donkey and sheep. Its seriousness doesn't mesh with the frivolity of the evening.

But that being said, "The Christmas Spectacular" is a great start to the season - guaranteed to get you in a good mood, humming favorite songs and ready for the holidays.

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular"

Rating: 3 stars

Location: Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont

Times: 1, 4:30 and 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28; 11 a.m., 2, 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29 and Dec. 6; 1 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30 and Dec. 7; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 3 and 4; 2 and 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5.

Running time: About 90 minutes plus intermission

Tickets: $25-65

Parking: $11.

Box office: Ticketmaster.com; (312) 559-1212

Rating: Suitable for families

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Video</h2> <ul class="video"> <li><a href="/multimedia/?category=1&type=video&item=218">Clip of "The Radio City Christmas Spectacular" </a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>