I heard canned music at Radio City last night. My thoughts:

It was definitely noticable to me that there was no live orchestra. Especially when the stage came up filled with some snowy park scene that normaly would have had the musicians on it. It was kind of weird that for two minutes or so, we listened to music as the snowy park scene came from the back of the stage and then back down into the pit. However, the place was full of people who could not have cared less. I have only seen the show one other time and I had forgotten how disinterested so many people can be. Kids and people milled about through the whole show. It never got quiet in the house and when the Nativity scene came up, the place was full of flash photography; it looked like a rock concert. And ehat's up with that Nativity? Man oh man, it's like they practically bang you over the head with a baby Jesus. Alright already, Jesus is Lord-got it!

So now that I have seen the Spectacular twice in ten years, I think I am good.

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Yes, I get that "Jesus is the reason for the season", thanks. But it's sort of an afterthought in the show. After an hour and fifteen minutes of ice skaters, elves and Santa-fluff the show suddenly turns into this big preachy thing for about 15 minutes. It just seems suddenly serious. And preachy. Way too preachy.

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you got that right.

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I hadn't seen this show in about 20 years and went back about 3 years ago so my niece could see it. It was exactly the same thing. I hated it. A few years ago we went to the circus here and it felt the same - people running all over, talking out loud, taking pictures. It wasn't theatre in any way whatsoever. I said it before - the people who go to that show don't care about live music. The musicians strike isn't going to hurt their ticket sales at all.

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I think that for the majority of the people who go, they think it is wonderful. They just seem to think they are at a movie theater. Perhaps I am just too bitter to enjoy something that "the masses" would enjoy as well. I had comps, which is the only way i would ever see that show. My boyfriend is a dresser on it, so he got me some tickets for it.

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Ahhh...I feel for those people performing on that stage.

This show just reeks of tackiness.

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I saw this show last year for the first time since I was a kid. I was appauled at how they encourage you to bring candy and drinks, and flashlights, and toys that are bright and make sounds into the theatre. I found the show dated, sexist, and tacky. And was very happy to leave.

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When I was younger, my grandmother took me every year. Every year before I left the house, I screamed and cried and begged not to go. Oh the benefits of being the only grand child to live less three hours away.

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