REVIEW: Radio City ‘Christmas Spectacular’ dazzles

Holiday show remains a traditional treat at the Music Hall

BY MICHAEL SOMMERS

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

OFF BROADWAY REVIEW

The very first show I can remember was the Christmas spectacle at Radio City Music Hall back in the late 1950s — when a feature film was stilled paired with the stage attraction — so I tend to be sentimental whenever I review what's now called the "Radio City Christmas Spectacular." The relatives who took me there are long gone from this world, but they are with me in spirit when I see again the Christmas show.

Then and now, The Rockettes comprise the dynamo that makes the "Spectacular" run so spectacularly. Tirelessly dancing, kicking and smiling, this long line of lovelies animates the majority of the 90-minute show's dozen scenes. A throwback to the famous "Tiller Girls" of the 1900s, The Rockettes continue to dazzle with their precision routines and kinetic charms.

Their capers as floppy rag dolls in a Santa's workshop number and easy expertise in tapping through an intricately choreographed "Twelve Days of Christmas" sequence are marvelous to behold. Perhaps best is the "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers," which dates back to 1933 and sees The Rockettes drilling as toys smartly clad in military costumes designed by Vincente Minnelli before he emigrated to Hollywood.

Conceived, directed and choreographed by Linda Haberman, this highly satisfying edition remains much the same as it's been the last several seasons. The 3-D movie short of Santa's descent upon Manhattan still thrills, "The Nutcracker" with its fancifully-dressed dancing bears still charms and the Living Nativity, if not so grandly realized as yesteryear versions, still reverently depicts the miracle at Bethlehem.

A double-decker Grey Line bus, glowing background visuals and a full orchestra that rises and descends on a stage elevator are among the pleasing incidentals to the extravaganza, which remains in excellent form at the Music Hall where many lucky youngsters no doubt will encounter the amazing "Spectacular" for the first (but probably not the last) time.

"The Radio City Christmas Spectacular" continues through Dec. 30 at Radio City Music Hall, 50th St. at Avenue of the Americas, New York. Call (866) 858-0007 or visit www.radiocitychristmas.com.