Steve On Broadway (SOB)

Radio City Christmas Spectacular (The SOB Review)

Radio City Christmas Spectacular (The SOB Review) - Radio City Music Hall, New York, NY

***1/2 (out of ****)

Practically daring the kid-at-heart in everyone not to come out, The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is one of those unabashedly cheery paeans to the true meaning of Christmas that stupefies with its exhilarating pace. And darned if it doesn't succeed.

Thanks to Linda Haberman's whiz-bang wizardry -- she's responsible for conception, direction and choreography -- The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is an eye-popping, breathtaking 90-minute variety show that simply refuses to slow down -- except perhaps for the glorious finale of the beloved and legendary "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" when the Rockettes gradually topple like dominos.

It's been at least a dozen years since I last took in one of Radio City Music Hall's most enduring spectacles, but with its diamond anniversary celebration coupled with the current Broadway stagehands strike, it was a no-brainer when opting to venture from the theatre district between 7th and 8th Avenues over to 6th Avenue to enjoy the festivities. And enjoy them I did like a gleeful little schoolboy regaining my lost innocence.

Replete with a magical Santa (lovingly portrayed by Charles Edward Hall) in duplicate no less, the seemingly inexhaustable and ever-smiling Rockettes (in a half dozen numbers, including my favorite, "The Twelve Days of Christmas") and the trademark living nativity scene, the Spectacular remains pretty much the way I remembered it. But sure enough, with one old-fashioned magical moment after another, it managed to make me feel like a kid again.

Visually enchanting, whether watching the aforementioned scenes or the stunning 3-D animation of Santa's sleigh flying around the landmarks of New York City, or even hitching a ride with the Rockettes on their double decker bus as they tour the Big Apple (thanks to an amazing LED video design), there's almost too much to look at on New York City's largest stage.

Unapologetically Christmas, the Spectacular is all about spreading holiday cheer. And in these days where conflict is gripping the world and most of the Great White Way, it's great to know that a little peace on earth is less than a smile (and one long block) away.

Radio City Christmas Spectacular is performed several times each day through December 30.

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Labels: Musical, Off-Broadway, Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Radio City Music Hall, Rockettes, Special Theatrical Event, The SOB Review

posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Monday, November 26, 2007