Dancer Saves Radio City Music Hall

Rosemary Novellino-Mearns, Dance Captain of the legendary Radio City Music Hall Ballet Company during the 1970s, tells the amazing story of how she motivated a small group of dedicated colleagues, friends, media, and political allies to join forces, challenge the Rockefeller establishment and, against all odds, save the Art Deco masterpiece—one of New York City's iconic tourist attractions.

Meet Rosemary Novellino-Mearns on Sunday, October 8, at 4:00pm at the Larchmont Public Library and hear her read from her book SAVING RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL: A Dancer’s True Story. Refreshements will be available at 3:30pm.

A modest but determined young dancer from Glen Rock, New Jersey, Rosemary Novellino joined the Radio City Music Hall Ballet Company in 1966, remaining with the group for twelve years, eventually becoming its Dance Captain and Assistant to legendary choreographer Peter Gennaro. In the mid-1970s, questionable behind-the-scenes changes in management alarmed hundreds of employees, but no one was prepared for the official announcement in early 1978 that Radio City Music Hall was slated to close that April and be demolished.

Drawing upon formerly untapped inner strengths, Rosemary refused to let this happen. She became President of "The Showpeople's Committee to Save Radio City Music Hall" and motivated fellow workers, friends, and thousands of Radio City fans around the world, as well as New York and national media, cultural leaders and politicians to support the cause. As a result of these efforts, the Art Deco palace was declared a national historic landmark, saving not only the building but the jobs and livelihoods of thousands of Music Hall employees on stage and behind the scenes. Rosemary is now in demand nationwide for her authoritative, informative, and highly entertaining appearances in which she recounts the Radio City Music Hall story.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Larchmont Public Library.