Following the December 22 announcement that the Radio City Rockettes will participate in inauguration festivities in Washington, D.C., for President-Elect Donald Trump, the theatre community shared their thoughts on Twitter.
“The Radio City Rockettes, an original American brand, have performed at Radio City Music Hall since 1932 and, as treasured American icons, have taken part in some of the nation’s most illustrious events such as Super Bowl halftime shows, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parades and presidential inaugurations, including in 2001 and 2005,” said James L. Dolan, executive chairman of The Madison Square Garden Company, in a statement. “We are honored that the Rockettes have again been asked to perform in the upcoming inauguration festivities.”
Update: MSG management released a statement December 23, clarifying the situation and doubling down on its decision to participate in the inauguration. It reads: “The Radio City Rockettes are proud to participate in the 58th Presidential Inaugural. For a Rockette to be considered for an event, they must voluntarily sign up and are never told they have to perform at a particular event, including the inaugural. It is always their choice. In fact, for the coming inauguration, we had more Rockettes request to participate than we have slots available. We eagerly await the inaugural celebrations.”
Read how Broadway reacted below. Playbill.com will continue to update.
cool rehearsal shots of the Rockettes preparing for Trump's Inauguration pic.twitter.com/HoWhLfpovk
— AnnoyingActorFriend (@Actor_Friend) December 22, 2016
Vomit @Rockettes https://t.co/x5Pcmknhvk
— Matt Doyle (@MattfDoyle) December 22, 2016
.@Rockettes pic.twitter.com/lmakMi5Dr3
— Tim Federle (@TimFederle) December 22, 2016
Our one hope is that the @Rockettes stage a revolt. That for the first time ever, they step out of line.
Kick, ladies. Kick for our lives.
— Tim Federle (@TimFederle) December 22, 2016
If @realDonaldTrump plans on grabbing any @Rockettes by their "kitty", I don't advise it during the kickline.
— Betsy Wolfe (@BetsyWolfe) December 23, 2016
Wish I could personally shield each & every @Rockettes "kitty" during the famous kickline, but I can't. Maybe they just shouldn't perform.
— Betsy Wolfe (@BetsyWolfe) December 23, 2016
Hope @AGVAUSA will STAND UP for the talented women of the @Rockettes and their right to refuse to perform at the inauguration. #unionstrong
— Mamie Parris (@MamieParris) December 22, 2016
@Rockettes you really need to rethink that choice. #NeverTrump
— NICK ADAMS (@TheNickAdams) December 23, 2016
Just heard that AGVA has told the full time Rockettes that they must perform at the Inauguration or they can be fired and/or sued.����♀️������
— AnnoyingActorFriend (@Actor_Friend) December 23, 2016
This @Rockettes Trump revelation is a shocking blow to the gay community. Glad I saw them before this news came out- beyond appalled.
— Jeff Heimbrock (@jheimbrock) December 23, 2016
Please @AGVAUSA stand for the amazing @Rockettes and let them have the right to refuse to perform at the inauguration.
— Natalie Charle Ellis (@Natalieeinnyc) December 23, 2016
Disappointed to hear the @Rockettes are performing at @realDonaldTrump's inauguration.
— Will Chase (@WillChaseMe) December 23, 2016
At inauguration Rockettes should do that domino thing where they all fall 2 the ground, then 1 reaches out & gasps "America" & dies. SCENE.
— Lesli Margherita (@QueenLesli) December 23, 2016
This is what can be done to help be a voice for our fellow performers @Rockettes. Thanks @netaleenoy. pic.twitter.com/thj4ASldtB
— Stephanie J. Block (@StephanieJBlock) December 23, 2016
@ActorsEquity and @sagaftra, surely we can find a way to help our @Rockettes friends during this nightmare.
— Eric Ulloa (@EUlloa03) December 23, 2016
Shame on AGVA and @RadioCity !!
Email sent. Please do the same! @Rockettes @RadioCity pic.twitter.com/t9sHhsmuLh
— NICK ADAMS (@TheNickAdams) December 23, 2016
@RadioCity I've HAPPILY performed 4 politicians with different views than mine. This inauguration is different, Pls don't force @Rockettes
— Kerry Butler (@KerryButlerNyc) December 23, 2016
@RadioCity just give @Rockettes the option to back out, if it's important to them.
— Kerry Butler (@KerryButlerNyc) December 23, 2016
If #Rockettes are forced to perform at Inauguration they shouldn't wax,so kick line exposes overgrowth of full 1970's-style bushes. #Resist
— Rachel Dratch (@TheRealDratch) December 23, 2016
Use this information to help the rockettes!!!! pic.twitter.com/TjEA61qVVs
— Cynthia Erivo (@CynthiaEriVo) December 23, 2016
