Santa is here to explain how Christmas works and the journey that he ventures on each and every year. Accompanying the world-renowned Santa Claus are the Radio City Rockettes, here to express, by way of dance, that aforementioned journey. The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes depicts Santa trying his best to deliver on a promise to a young girl–but Christmas comes with its challenges. Can Santa deliver once again?
I’ve never done this before–I’ve never before reviewed a live stage play (only recorded ones). I have to look at this as an immersive experience, starting from the second I walked into Radio City Music Hall and ending at the conclusion of the performance (in reality I don’t care what happens once the curtains close). As I walked in the doors with my beautiful wife I was begged to look up at the lustrous lights and decorations and I was immediately transported to a winter wonderland–far better than the hustle and bustle of the New York City streets right outside. If you know anything about me you know that I love everything Disney. I love the films, Disney World, and the general idea of Disney Magic. No, I’m not here to promote Disney and its entities, but, as my wife reminds me, I like to compare everything to Disney. The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes is the closest to that aforementioned Disney Magic that I’ve seen in a live production. The lights, sounds, and the general ambiance reflect the things I’ve seen in Disney parks, and I love that aspect of the show.
When watching a stage play I have to evaluate the acting. The players on stage don’t have the opportunity to try again and again until they get it right, and if things don’t go as planned the success of said performance may hang in the balance. The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes sees a number of very talented individuals–particularly the Rockettes–take the stage and sleigh *wink wink* their respective roles–except for one sad excuse for acapella. That scene in question–as the elves converge around Santa and begin singing unencumbered by instruments it becomes quite clear that this act will fail miserably…and it does. Like nails on a chalkboard I begged for the noise to stop–and fortunately, that scene doesn’t last too long. Aside from this minor blunder, The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes shines in terms of performance.
I have three massive complaints about The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes. The first being the fact that guests are permitted to wander around the theater willy nilly whenever they feel the need. I’ve been to Philadelphia 76ers where spectators aren’t permitted to walk back down to their seats until a timeout, commercial break, etc., but I didn’t find that at The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes (and if the Sixers organization can figure this out then why can’t the team at Radio City Music Hall?). As late guests or guests returning to their seats after purchasing concessions or running to the restrooms wandered the theater and shimmied down the rows, they impeded the view of others. This reality became frustrating and honestly diminished aspects of the overall experience.
My second major issue is the title: The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes. The performance is for all intents and purposes a variety show–but The Rockettes are the leads in every way. The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes began in 1933, and the Rockettes have led the way since the show’s inception. I appreciate that there are other aspects of this production, but without the Rockettes it would be nothing. In all honesty I think it’s time to rebrand as something like The Rockettes’ Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall, and while that name may not be the best, I genuinely believe that it’s time to reconsider the name and showcase who and what makes the show successful–the Rockettes.
Finally, and I imagine that I’m in the minority for this–but the Rockettes, in all of their glory, regardless of how much they bring to the show, seem to have become too gimmicky. Anyone who has heard of the Rockettes knows about the high-kicks. They are in sync, and immensely talented, but it’s been done so many times now (and something like a half dozen times throughout the course of each performance) that it’s gotten to be redundant. I’m certainly not taking anything away from their abilities, but things need to change–the move has become a tad antiquated and The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes may appear gimmicky to guests as a result.
The show is grand, the production is, in many ways, magical, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like it, but the reality is that I don’t love stage plays. The reimagining of the classic Christmas songs, the top-notch light and sound production, and the more-than-talented Rockettes bring Christmas to life, keep Christ in Christmas, and entertain guests from start to finish (with the exception of that minor hiccup in the middle of the show). The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes has proven itself successful since its inception in 1933–and with some rebranding and other minor adjustments I truly believe that this already wonderful show can extend itself to new viewers and find even more success.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10
To learn more about The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes and purchase tickets for upcoming shows you can click the following link: Rockettes.com/Ticketmaster
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