My review of the New Radio City Christmas Show 2007 NYC

My review of the New Radio City Christmas Show
Posted On: 11/7/07 at 05:24 PM


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!