Every year I look so forward to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. I love the synchronized moves of the Radio City Rockettes, the stunning, glittering costumes and the beloved, traditional scenes such as my favorite, the one with Clara and the Nutcracker. I sit there with my family and have a blast wearing the 3D glasses as Santa comes to New York from the North Pole. The Christmas songs that this production is filled with simply warm the heart.
Of course, the wooden soldiers number is charming to view and makes one feel so good. New York at Christmas is another marvelous musical number. There is a stunningly beautiful and fun number that explains how there are so many Santas around the city during the holidays. This number has been enhanced digitally and it’s absolutely delightful to see. The story of the two brothers searching for the perfect Christmas gift for their sister is still touching to watch as Santa takes them to the North Pole for them to find just the right gift and the Rockettes come out dressed as ragdolls, doing some truly fun, interesting dance moves.
One of my favorite parts of the musical has always been the Nativity scene that goes into the story of Jesus Christ’s birth. That is the part that normally closes the show out. It normally leaves me feeling so warm and touched, but this year, that part of the show is rushed through to add in new moments. Santa talks about the lights of Christmas and dancers fly high above the audience and dance as different colored Christmas lights flash in the background. They dance to “Winter Wonderland.” The Rockettes come back out and dance to “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.” Their costumes are so dazzling. The show ends with a rock ‘n roll version of “We Wish You A Merry Christmas,” so the show ends on a very upbeat note. I don’t know. This ending was something different, but I would have preferred it if the show, which is steeped in tradition, stuck to its regular position of ending with a complete, not rushed Nativity number.
This show is still definitely a musical that the entire family will enjoy. Go and enjoy the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. For more information, visit www.rockettes.com/christmas/.