The theater lights dim as dancing snowflakes light up the walls, the ceiling and the eager crowd. The audience holds its breath with anticipation as the curtain rises. Instead of 36 long and slender legs, the curtain lifts to reveal 36 dancing reindeer hooves. The Radio City Christmas Spectacular has begun.
The magic begins the moment an usher, decked in Christmas attire, takes your ticket and says, “welcome to the show.” Christmas lights and decorations adorn the lobby of the Cobb Energy and Performing Arts Center. Little children holding Rockette dolls sit on Santa’s chair beneath a large Christmas tree and get their picture taken. An excited crowd strolls through the lobby sipping hot chocolate and inspecting the souvenirs.
As the Rockettes take the stage, glimmering reindeer antlers atop long prancing legs enchant the audience. The dancers sing and perform their signature line kick to cheers and applause. A jolly Santa enters in on his sleigh welcoming one and all to the show.
There is something for everyone to see at The Radio City Show. Children enjoy watching the Nutcracker’s Clara dance with bears dressed as ballerinas and nutcrackers. This dance is all the more impressive considering each costume can weigh 30 to 60 pounds.
The show does not ignore the main reason for the season. The momentum builds to a magnificent nativity scene.
The three kings traverse the stage to songs like “Noel,”“We Three Kings,” and a variety of traditional Christmas tunes.
Finally, for those who have always wanted to experience a New York City Christmas, a bus tours the avenues of New York including the huge tree at Rockefeller Center and the Radio City Music Hall.
“The Parade of Wooden Soldiers” receives roars from the crowd. The soldiers march with mesmerizing precision. Not a single hat tilts, or leg bends as they move robotically across the stage. By far the most impressive sight is when a cannon firing causes the soldiers to slowly fall backwards upon one another.
Santa really shows off in “Here Comes Santa Claus.” Dozens of Santas hit the stage, dancing in unison. They even run through the crowd. The audience goes wild when hundreds more dancing Santas appear on the big screen performing in unison with the dancers on stage.
A video history of the Rockettes provides a break from the dancing and singing. The movie begins with their founding in 1925. It is fascinating to see that the precision of the Rockettes’ dancing has remained popular with audiences for decades.
The costumes are one of the more spectacular aspects of the show. The changing color of the lighting creates varying dazzling effects on the dancer’s costumes. Glistening candy cane outfits are every little girl’s dream. The Nativity scene costumes are a high kick above the rest. As the kings follow the star of Bethlehem, their costumes are as vibrant as the star itself. Billowing into the air, the kings’ robes are breathtakingly beautiful with deep vibrant colors.
The Rockettes’ magic continues as the crowd exits the theatre. Smiling families once again fill the lobby and little girls practice their high kicks. The Radio City Christmas Spectacular runs through Nov. 23.