As an adjective, spectacular is defined as beautiful in a dramatic and eye-catching way. As a noun, spectacular is defined as an event such as a pageant or musical produced on a large scale with striking effects. The Radio City Christmas Spectacular began in 1933. Can it really still be spectacular? Without question, the answer is yes.
The family of four sitting in front of me was probably indicative of the typical reaction one could have at this show. The father was just sitting there unreactive (or maybe bored). The mother was preoccupied filming as much as she could on her phone. Her daughter was bouncing around in and out of her seat not paying attention but waving some sort of wand and seemingly content. Their son, however, was enraptured by the whole experience. His joy never faded as fantastic number after fantastic number flowed from this historic stage. I identified with the kid. The only word to describe this show is spectacular.
Directed and choreographed by Julie Branam, the ninety minutes fly by. The Rockettes are simply phenomenal. You expect high kicking and you get that with subtle variations that are interesting and, of course, precise. Their costumes are holiday sparkle magic. There is a small storyline which emerges amidst the pageantry that is cute but doesn’t get in the way of fun. The result is a Santa number that is eye-fillingly superb.
What’s the best part of this spectacle? The large orchestra which pops up from the depths every once in a while? The Christmas in New York section which reminds you how lucky you are to live in or visit this amazing city? The ice skaters who perform spinning lifts? The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers routine, essentially unchanged since the inception of this show? I cannot decide.
I will, however make three observations. First, I have seen this show before and thought it a pleasant diversion. I had felt the nativity scene went on too long and the live animals were overkill. Mercifully the scene is now reasonably short and visually arresting. Second, the projections and digital content (Sam Buntrock) immersed the entire music hall with imagery that demanded my attention so I had to take my eyes off the stage in appreciation. The finale seemed like a prelude to the future of this show – traditional spectacle with new technology flourishes.
My third and perhaps most important observation is about the cast. I attended a performance on a Monday morning at 11:00. There are many performances every day. The show came across as remarkably fresh. Every face was engaged in delivering the promise of a title that includes the word spectacular. I made a point to look hard and I never found anyone phoning in their performance. This is not a cheap entertainment. Isn’t is wonderful that the Radio City Christmas Spectacular is appropriately named and worth every penny? I’m not someone who could sit through this show year after year. I am, however, someone whose holiday season was made a little more sparkly for having invested the time to watch the Rockettes kick ass. Just give in and go. It’s delightful from start to finish.