Sisters high-kicking their way to history.

• Author: Jantzie, Alison
• Position: Entertainment - Kristin, Lisa and Alison Jantzie of the Rockettes - Cover story

THE 2012 RADIO CITY "Christmas Spectacular: The Rockettes Celebration" pays tribute to 85 years of the Rockettes in New York with a production that includes dazzling dance numbers, beloved favorites, eye-popping special effects, and a brand new showcase featuring the Rockettes' most extraordinary costumes throughout the years. Three sisters, twins Kristin and Lisa, joined by the younger Alison, tell audiences all about the show and how this trio of talented young ladies came to be part of the world's most famous kick line.

Alison Jantzie

In 2005, the Radio City "Christmas Spectacular" became a part of the Jantzie family tradition. It was Kristin's debut as a Rockette, and we all traveled from various cities to see her perform. I can remember clearly the excitement that I felt sitting in the theater waiting for the show to start and, as the music began to play and Kristin appeared on stage, I was overwhelmed with pride: "That's my sister!" For the millionth lime in my life, I wanted to be just like her. Although I knew then that I would love to be a part of the "Christmas Spectacular," I did not get up the nerve to audition until six years later.

My first season as a Rockette was 2011, and this year I am honored to be sharing the stage with my two sisters and a cast of incredibly talented women as we celebrate the 85th anniversary of the Rockettes performing in New York. Last year, when I received an offer to be a part of the "Christmas Spectacular," my belief--that with hard work and determination you can achieve anything--was renewed. I was incredibly excited, but I also felt a great deal of pressure to live up to the standards that my sisters had set. I was nervous that people might think hiring that third Jantzie was a mistake, and I must admit that during rehearsals I questioned my own abilities. However, with Kristin's and Lisa's reassurance and the encouragement of the other Rockettes, I knew the season would be a great adventure.

To say that the rehearsals for the "Christmas Spectacular' are intense would be an understatement. The precision choreography that has made the production so memorable takes hours upon hours to perfect, and director-choreographer Linda Haberman and her team have sharp eyes that catch every mistake in an effort to improve the level of each routine. The six-day rehearsal week is rigorous and each number demands a unique style and attitude.

The first time I stood on the great stage at Radio City Music Hall, I was overwhelmed and intimidated. In the studio, the mirrors reassure you that you are doing the correct movement but, up on stage, you have to trust that your body knows the choreography. By the time we opened, however, I felt at home with 35 "sisters" at my sides. Each person on stage takes great pride in being a part of the Rockettes legacy, and it is the belief that "together we are better" that allows us to celebrate this milestone year. This season, the "Christmas Spectacular" honors the Rockettes 85-year legacy in New York with an exciting new costume retrospective. This scene celebrates the past, present, and future of the Rockettes and features some of the most dazzling costumes from the 1930s to the present day. The show also includes the "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" and the "Living Nativity," which have been a part of the "Christmas Spectacular" since its inception.

One of my favorite moments last year was climbing onto the life-sized double-decker bus in "New York at Christmas." It was one of the few moments during the show when Kristin and I had the chance to give each other a wink. That moment of connection reminded me how lucky I am to...