Report: James Dolan wants Rockettes to be 'tolerant of intolerance'
A few weeks ago, it was announced that the Rockettes, the group famous for it's fabulous kick line, would perform at Donald Trump's inauguration later this month. The news came as a surprise to the dancers, many who objected to being forced to take part in the performance. While the performance was later deemed optional, many dancers fear they won't get their jobs back if they don't show up.
"This is not a Republican or Democrat issue - this is a women's rights issue," a dancer told Marie Claire . "It's a basic human-rights issue. We have immigrants in the show. I feel like dancing for Trump would be disrespecting the men and women who work with us, the people we care about."
On Tuesday, Marie Clairepublished an account of a December 27th meeting between the woman and Madison Square Garden Company executive chairman (and New York Knicks owner) James Dolan, where Dolan tried to sway the dancers to come around to his point of view, insisting that the performance didn't mean they were supporting President-elect Trump.
Via 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'm about to spend $50 million remounting this summer show. I'm going to spend a similar amount remounting next year's Christmas show. I gotta sell tickets." He went on to point out that support from Trump voters isn't something he wants to miss out on: "A good portion of people voted for this person. Hopefully they will like our brand. If 1% of 1% of them come to our show, we're going to do great."
As the meeting continued, Dolan became flustered as dancers, who were described as "noticeably upset," continued to push back.
"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," Dolan said.
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?"
In an official statement the Madison Square Garden Company denounces the dancer who leaked the information but says Dolan stands behind everything he said at the meeting.
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. While Mr. Dolan stands behind everything he said during the meeting, no one in that room believed they were speaking publicly. Everyone in the meeting had the chance to speak their mind in a safe setting, and many did. Her secret recording was deceitful and cowardly and has betrayed all of her fellow Rockettes.
Other performers slated to appear at Trump's inauguration include singer Jackie Evancho and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.