According to the show’s director and choreographer, Julie Branam, the key to executing the unique “fall” in the dance is perfect alignment between the dancers. The dance move involves raising hands up, sliding them through and opening arms while someone rocks up on their heels and starts to go back. To prevent anyone from getting hurt, the dancers’ feet have to be completely lined up.
Learning the dance routine can be challenging, as Rockette Maranda L. explains. The routine is initially taught to six girls at a time, and then gradually to 18 girls, which is half the line. Once everyone understands how the fall works, all 36 members practice falling together.
The dance routine becomes even more challenging when costumes are added. The Rockettes wear grandiose costumes, including 3-foot-tall hats that are difficult to keep straight. Trusting that their noses will get flattened a little bit, the dancers rely on each other for support to execute the dance routine successfully.
Despite the hard work involved, the Rockettes love performing the Parade of the Wooden Soldiers every year for their audience. The routine remains virtually unchanged since 1933 and is a crowd favorite. Rockette Maranda says it is one of her favorite parts of the show to perform, and the audience loves it.
The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers is an incredible dance routine that showcases the Rockettes’ talent, hard work, and precision. Watching it is sure to make your day, and you can watch the entire performance in the video below
