Rockettes are ready to kick it in Utah

The only requirements are being between 5 feet 6 inches and 5 feet 10½ inches tall in stocking feet. And you must be 18 years old.

Sounds easy enough, right?

But each year thousands of women audition to be a member of the Radio City Rockettes — a kick line that, in total, has room for 180 pairs of legs.

There are two casts for the "Radio City Christmas Spectacular," one in New York City and one on the touring production, which opens at the Maverik Center tonight and runs through Nov. 29. It's the Rockettes' first time to Utah.

The dancers do up to 17 shows a week during the holidays.

Summer Renner, Lindsay Howe, Karilyn Ashley Surratt and Utah native Talese Hunt handed out an early Christmas present in August, teaching young ones and dance groups gathered at The Gateway how to do the famous eye-high kick.

Afterward, they stopped by the Deseret News to chat about what it's like being a member of world's most famous precision dance troupe — a tradition 80 years in the making.

Though the four hail from different parts of the country, their bright red lipstick and sparkly tights unite them in a way few things can.

"I love my Rockette sisters," Renner said as the rest enthusiastically nodded their heads. "There is just something about being a part of something bigger than yourself."

The women work year-round just to keep their three-month contract with the group. They have to audition every year to keep their spot.

The first audition is an open call that lasts two days.

"You learn a number of routines, in all the styles of dance, and there are a series of cuts," Renner said. "The world famous eye-high kicks are the very last thing you do."

Returning Rockettes get to skip the open call and go straight to Round 2, but it's still just as difficult, they say.

"And it's all new stuff," Hunt said. "They like to throw curve balls at you. We have to make sure we're in tip-top shape.

"Then you wait. You have to wait a couple of months to find out; it's terrible."