My review of the New Radio City Christmas Show

[shermanslave]

Posted: 11/7/07 at 5:24pm

It is the 75th anniversary of Radio City Music Hall and to celebrate, the Christmas show has been dusted off, revamped and updated. In the past, the show was quite disjointed hopping from one Christmas tradition to another without much thought. One moment there are ice skaters and then the Nutcracker and elves and suddenly the audience is whacked on the head with a baby Jesus. This year though they figured out a way to make it all go together. Of course the classics are still there. The Rockettes still look great and their precision is most evident during the Parade of the Toy Soldiers. It's a real crowd pleaser and will always be in the show. One new scene that was particularly good was New York at Christmas. Although the scene has been part of past productions, the addition of a double decker bus with all of the Rockettes riding on it is really great. The stage has a humongous LCD screen that serves as backdrop for almost all of the scenes. As the bus "drives" around the stage the screen shows, with remarkable accuracy, the city streets from Radio City to Central Park. It looks real and it's hard to believe that it is only computer generated. Amazing.

Another new element in this year's show is the addition of two young boys questioning the existence of Santa Claus. By putting them in the show, it allows a real segue from scene to scene. The double decker bus ends it's tour at a city corner where Santa is ringing his donation bell when the boys ask him how he is in so many places at once. Cue: Here Comes Santa Claus. Although the number has been in past productions, now we have a reason for it. Then Santa takes them to the North Pole again giving a reason for the transition.

The Living nativity is still in the show although greatly (and thankfully) shortened. In past shows it always seemed like an afterthought to have any explanation of the real meaning of Christmas. Wisely, the two young boys are now shown in their living room reading the Christmas Story as the Nativity scene comes to life in the background. Gone is the overpowering voice over booming about the importance of Jesus Christ. Now we have the simple voice of a young child gently reading the story to his little brother.

The Radio City Christmas Show has always been a bit over the top trying to stuff in every Christmas cliche as possible. This year, it seems that they have acknowledged the level of X-treme X-mas and accepted it. The show even has a few very moving moments and the cast is great. Charles Edward Hall makes a a great Santa Claus as usual. The ensemble actually sings this year instead of lip syncing and the whole cast gets a well-deserved curtain call for the first time. If you have not seen the Christmas show in a few years, this is the year to do it. And if it's your first time to see it, you won't be disappointed. It gets you in the mood and ready for the whole holiday season. Merry Christmas!

Updated On: 11/7/07 at 05:24 PM

[shermanslave]

Posted: 11/7/07 at 6:07pm

No one else has seen the show yet I guess because today was the first dress rehearsal.

[PlayhouseBeauty]

Posted: 11/7/07 at 6:34pm

They took away the reading of One Solitary Life!?!?!?! Thats very disappointing...that was always a highlight for me

[shermanslave]

Posted: 11/7/07 at 6:37pm

Sorry, it's gone!! So are the ice skating snowmen

[uncageg]

Posted: 11/7/07 at 6:38pm

Glad they shortened the Nativity Scene at the end. As nice as it was to look at with the real camels, etc. It just brought the s how down, and at the performance I attened here in Denver 2 years ago, it slightly offended some audience members.

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

Posted: 11/7/07 at 7:01pm

I really want to see this. Is it mostly sold out?

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/7/07 at 7:03pm

It looks good . I have to get over Sunday & get tickets for it.

[shira467]

Posted: 11/7/07 at 7:57pm

I'm seeing the final dress tomorrow. SO excited!!

[MotorTink]

Posted: 11/7/07 at 7:59pm

We have tickets for the Saturday after Thanksgiving. I haven't seen it in over 10 years so I am excited!

[Albin]

Posted: 11/7/07 at 8:17pm

"Glad they shortened the Nativity Scene at the end. As nice as it was to look at with the real camels, etc. It just brought the s how down, and at the performance I attened here in Denver 2 years ago, it slightly offended some audience members."

Huh? Why on earth would someone be offended by a nativity scene AT A CHRISTMAS SHOW???

[uncageg]

Posted: 11/7/07 at 8:21pm

I don't think they were so much offended by the Nativity scene itself as they were by the heavy handed message. You didn't get it once, but twice and once on a screen. Once was enough.

[nybearhugz]

Posted: 11/7/07 at 11:22pm

It's Christmas.. that is the message. It should be repeated over and over.

[shermanslave]

Posted: 11/8/07 at 1:13am

I agree with the need to show the meaning of Christmas. It just seems odd to have the serious Jesus bit after we just watched elves dancing in the North Pole.

[2373]

Posted: 11/8/07 at 11:27am

People were offended?? WTF?

It's Christmas. It should be first and foremost.

I am offended that Jesus and the nativity get a lousy few minutes at the end. THAT is offensive...

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 11/8/07 at 12:01pm

It sounds wonderful. I've never seen the show, but I've always wanted to. Perhaps next year...

[PlayhouseBeauty]

Posted: 11/8/07 at 12:05pm

"The serious Jesus bit"

WHAT!?!?! JESUS IS THE CENTER OF CHRISTMAS!

The dancing elves are just for entertainment...Im just glad its still in there and they didn't do away with the whole thing which now a days wouldn't suprise me...Everyone is taking CHRIST out of CHRISTMAS!

Im going to see the show for the first time since i was little and after hearing this i was tempted to give my tickets to someone else...but hopefully the show will still be good!

[philcrosby]

Posted: 11/8/07 at 12:08pm

I am seeing it for the first time this year ... on 12/9. Cannot wait!

[uncageg]

Posted: 11/8/07 at 12:11pm

Just wondering if those of you asking WTF, etc. have actually seen the show?

[PlayhouseBeauty]

Posted: 11/8/07 at 12:23pm

Yes I have seen it and I am very disappointed that they shortened the nativity soon....in a few years i wouldn't be suprised if it was gone completely!

[uncageg]

Posted: 11/8/07 at 12:32pm

Visually, the scene is pretty stunning. And I have no problem with Jesus being a part of the show, as it is a Christmas show. It just went on a bit too long and for me, my guests that evening and the people around us, it just brought down the festive mood of the show. You almost felt as if you had just been lectured to about religion. It MAY have been fine if it were followed up by a more upbeat closing that left you smiling and feeling good. I didn't pay to see a show to get lectured about Jesus at the end. The scene goes on way too long. About 10 or 15 minutes if I remember correctly. And I believe in Jesus and God.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 11/8/07 at 12:47pm

Are the drag Queen dancing teddy bears still in it? I believe they were part of the Nutcracker.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 11/8/07 at 1:28pm

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[PlayhouseBeauty]

Posted: 11/8/07 at 1:45pm

But thats what christmas is all about....its not about dancing teddy bears..skating snowmen...toy soilders...Its about the most amazing miracle that happened one night in a stable! Thats Christmas!

[2373]

Posted: 11/8/07 at 2:13pm

"And I have no problem with Jesus being a part of the show, as it is a Christmas show. It just went on a bit too long and for me, my guests that evening and the people around us, it just brought down the festive mood of the show. You almost felt as if you had just been lectured to about religion. It MAY have been fine if it were followed up by a more upbeat closing that left you smiling and feeling good. I didn't pay to see a show to get lectured about Jesus at the end. The scene goes on way too long. About 10 or 15 minutes if I remember correctly. And I believe in Jesus and God."

uncageg:

You have obviously LOST the true meaning of Christmas.. Christmas is about Christ and his birth; not Santa and gifts, Hallmark cards and outdoing the Jones' with your outdoor Christmas lights.

You say you believe in Jesus and God, so why would His miracle bring you down?
Christ's birth IS festive. ...

Christmas celebrates the Christian belief that our Lord and Savior was born. I am offended when those who don't even believe in Jesus celebrate Christmas. It is supposed to be a SACRED holy day celebrating our beliefs; not something SECULAR and commercialized.

It's a Christian holy day about Jesus; not Santa. Although that's what it is all about now.

You really don't think Jesus (the REASON FOR CHRISTMAS) deserves a lousy 15 minutes?? You think such a beautiful story is a lecture?? Maybe we all should be lectured because most people celebrate the holiday for all the wrong reasons.

I have seen this show 5 times over the years and look so forward to the end. It's just beautiful and very moving.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 11/8/07 at 3:10pm

I stopped going to this show when I realized how phoney and click tracked everything is.