Posted on 01/04/2017 11:42:31 AM PST by drewh
Shortly after it was announced that the world famous Radio City Rockettes would be dancing at President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, reports of discontent among performers in the famed dancing group began to circulate.
One performer took to Instagram and stated she was “embarrassed and disappointed” at the prospect of the performance, which triggered more social media backlash from current and former Rockettes.
According to an article published by Marie Claire, one dancer couldn’t contain her sadness after being informed that the group would be performing at the inauguration and “tears streamed down her face through all 90 minutes of their world-famous Christmas Spectacular” the day she heard about the performance.
As a result, according to another article from Marie Claire, James Dolan, who is the executive chairman of the Madison Square Garden Company, which employs the dancers, sat down with the Rockettes on Dec. 27 to allow the dancers to air their grievances over performing at the inauguration.
One particular back-and-forth exchange between Dolan and the dancers details how the owner of the Knicks and Rangers tried to persuade the group that performing isn’t an “endorsement” of Trump or his policies.
From Marie Claire:
When asked by a woman in the room if that means the Rockettes support President-elect Trump outright, Dolan clarified “no,” but when pressed about the idea that aligning the Rockettes with such a controversial figure could tarnish the brand, Dolan didn’t budge: “I don’t believe it’s going to hurt the brand. And nobody is more concerned about that than the guy sitting in this chair…I gotta sell tickets.”
As the debate continued, Dolan shifted his focus onto the idea of being “tolerant” of others’ beliefs as well, stating the following:
From Marie Claire:
“I find it a little ironic—I get all of these emails, too, from people saying, ‘Don’t perform for this hateful person.’ And then they proceed to spew out this diatribe of hate. When another staffer spoke up about the backlash from the theater community in particular—the dancers’ friends and colleagues who “really suffered this past election cycle from this hate”—Dolan inquired, “How can they be your friends if they’re not tolerant of a different opinion?
One dancer eventually piped up: “I mean, it just sounds like you’re asking us to be tolerant of intolerance.” Her comment was followed by uncomfortable laughter around the room and a pause.
“Yeah, in a way, I guess we are doing that,” Dolan said. “What other choices do we have? What else would you suggest?”
Per a New York Times report, The Madison Square Garden Group issued a stern response through spokesman Barry Watkins, which painted the source of the Marie Claire article, identified only as “Mary,” as being “deceitful and cowardly” in secretly recording the group’s meeting with Dolan.
Watkins further stated that “This is one person who continues to attempt to represent the entire team of Rockettes. This time it’s in a story that is the result of an unauthorized recording that violated the confidentiality of all of her sister Rockettes.”
He also added that the decision to publish the piece was “beneath the ethical standards of Hearst.”
The Rockettes have a long history of performing at marquee events, including both the 2001 and 2005 inauguration ceremonies for President George W. Bush.
The Madison Square Garden Group has stated that performing at the inauguration is “optional” but many of the performers are concerned about repercussions should they choose to skip the event on Jan. 20.
Am I the only person in the world who is sick of the lefts non stop wailing and gnashing of teeth about everything? Barky got a nobel prize before he did anything. Trump hasnt done anything yet either (other than save thousands of jobs so far, and make friends with a few world leaders who are happy to no longer have to deal with a petulant infant)
One of my relatives - one of the ones who “unfriended” me when she learned I had voted for Trump, used to dress these ladies for a living. So totally in that bubble. Sad.
The MSG should fire any witch that will not dance. What a bunch of losers!!! Not worth commenting on!!! Let Obama’s beloved Muslim brotherhood refugees, get their hands on these ladies...and you will see how quickly they call on DJT for help!!! Female morons!!!
I am getting REALLY SICK OF THIS $HIT
I will, however, watch them during the inauguration in the hopes that the one that claimed to be incapable of holding back her tears while performing since being made aware that she had to perform for Trump will reveal herself in public via her sobs. Pure satisfaction!
Geez, it has nothing to do with the Rockettes but everything to do with one, just one, who is a drama queen grabbing for the spotlight. There are 80 Rockettes and only 18 who will be performing. They are allowed to pick and choose when they want to perform. Phoebe Pearl, the pearl clutcher, didn’t have to cause all the ruckus as 79 other dancers were waiting in line. She’s had her 15, now it’s time to dance on out of here.
Surely not surprise advice this sad example of a Catholic leader would give to any one. And while I Know it won’t happen, I would very much enjoy seeing Trump replace Dolan with a Catholic who actually sees the mission of the Church for what it truly is––to lead all mankind to salvation. Dolan, and the other modern bishops see the mission of the Church as promoting globalization, indifferentism and the redistribution of wealth.
Some may have forgotten this, but the last time this allegedly Catholic prelate was invited to speak at a national political gathering was in 2012 when he was invited to give the benedictions at each of the political parties conventions.
One may recall that, at the time, the Democrats had all but scrubbed God completely out of their platform before Dolan appeared. So, in keeping with the “theme” of the Democrats, this supposed Catholic managed to completely exclude even mentioning the complete name of Jesus Christ. But to avoid the backlash he knew he’d get from faithful Catholics, he mentioned to slip in the name of Jesus in the middle of a sentence where he spoke the name, Jesus, as the last in a list of four other biblical characters.
But the inauguration will be very different, and you know Dolan realizes Franklin Graham is going to speak loudly and often about Jesus Christ. With that help from a very decent and holy Protestant, perhaps this so-called Catholic will work up the courage to do likewise. At least I hope so.
Surely not surprise advice this sad example of a Catholic leader would give to any one. And while I Know it won’t happen, I would very much enjoy seeing Trump replace Dolan with a Catholic who actually sees the mission of the Church for what it truly is––to lead all mankind to salvation. Dolan, and the other modern bishops see the mission of the Church as promoting globalization, indifferentism and the redistribution of wealth.
Some may have forgotten this, but the last time this allegedly Catholic prelate was invited to speak at a national political gathering was in 2012 when he was invited to give the benedictions at each of the political parties conventions.
One may recall that, at the time, the Democrats had all but scrubbed God completely out of their platform before Dolan appeared. So, in keeping with the “theme” of the Democrats, this supposed Catholic managed to completely exclude even mentioning the complete name of Jesus Christ. But to avoid the backlash he knew he’d get from faithful Catholics, he mentioned to slip in the name of Jesus in the middle of a sentence where he spoke the name, Jesus, as the last in a list of four other biblical characters.
But the inauguration will be very different, and you know Dolan realizes Franklin Graham is going to speak loudly and often about Jesus Christ. With that help from a very decent and holy Protestant, perhaps this so-called Catholic will work up the courage to do likewise. At least I hope so.
“I am getting REALLY SICK OF THIS $HIT”
It’ll pass. By the time they get tired of self-flagellation and rending their garments it will be easy to spot them on the street. We just need to ridicule or shun them. They’ll die from lack of attention. (I hope)
Do these people have any idea at all how severely they are damaging their brand with all of this nonsense?
Evidently not.
As well they should be. Because any refusing to perform should be fired.
They are performers. Management chooses where they perform. And for those choosing not to perform, there is a pretty little pink slip waiting for them at the exit door.
Apparently some Rockettes have brains in their feet and rocks in their heads.
...what is best in life? ...Hear the lamentations of their women... That is good! That is good.
what ever gave you the idea that James Dolan is a Catholic.
If you are referring to Cardinal Timothy Dolan, he is not working with the Rockette’s!
Are you nuts?
discontent among performers....ONE (1). HEH HEH
Not nuts; just lazy. I read the banner headline and jumped to the wrong conclusion. Sorry about that.
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