Wednesday, November 26, 2008

NYC: Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Radio City Music Hall) - 11/26/08

As far as spectaculars go, Radio City's annual Christmas show is tops. From the word go, this shrewdly lavish production manages to sustain a giddy, almost super-human exuberance throughout its 90 minute running time. The glamorous Rockettes, of course, are the main attraction here, and they do not disappoint. Each number involving these leggy beauties (which is a good chunk of the program) is performed with amazing precision and gusto. This show was revamped last year, to much acclaim, for the 75th anniversary edition. It's my understanding that this year's version is pretty much the same show, and it's visually breathtaking. Filling the vast, vast stage of the legendary theater is no small feat, but the designers here have done themselves proud: the design is a perfect blend of 21st century stagecraft (there is a segment featuring NYC sightseeing bus tour that must be seen to be believed) and traditional stage design.

Rating: **** (out of *****)

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