Behind The Scenes: Rockettes Celebrate 90th Anniversary At Radio City Music Hall

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- As the holiday season approaches, there is no better place than New York City to lift your spirits.

The spirit is seen from the decorated window displays to the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree -- and of course, the Radio City Rockettes who are celebrating their 90th anniversary.

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is back at Radio City Music Hall and CBS2's Jill Nicolini got a behind-the-scenes tour of the world-famous Rockettes' eye-high kicks and all of their costumes backstage.

"We have up to six shows per day broken down between two casts," Rockette Audrey Thelemann said. "Each cast has 36 women plus four women known as 'swings.'"

The Rockettes have nine costume changes throughout the show, donning different costumes for different numbers, like their classic Parade of the Wooden Soldiers number, which has proved to be a longtime fan favorite.

"We have a ninety-second quick change," Thelemann said.

Rockette Brittany Werthmann said their seven-minute 'Twelve Days of Christmas' number is one of their most difficult numbers during the show -- giving the dancers a cardiovascular challenge.

"It's a lot of hard work and a lot of practice, but we all do it together with a little bit of Christmas magic," Thelemann said.

Showgoers will also get a visual tour of the city from a double-decker bus and experience the magic of "snow," along with a 'Living Nativity Scene.'

And, a little behind-the-scenes secret?

The Rockettes actually do their own hair up in a twist and makeup before each show. They are required to wear fake eyelashes and use the same color lipstick.

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular runs now through Jan. 3 at Radio City Music Hall.