Jeff B.
Yelp
(Attended 11/25/22 FR @ 4:00pm - 5:30pm): A Christmas spectacle of odd proportions that simply rocked and showed love for the city!
Another travel bucket list I was excited to accomplish on this recent trip was finally seeing in person the Christmas Spectacular Starring The Radio City Rockettes at the famed Radio City Music Hall https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=v2ibc21lcwPC4L4sh0IE2w&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw! I've watched this performance over the years in part or in whole on television in addition to the actual Rockettes whenever I viewed the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Was it all that and a bag of nutcrackers to put me in the Christmas spirit!?
Because picture taking wasn't allowed during the 90-minute no intermission performance, here was a chronological list of scenes (*denoted dancing):
Overture
*Sleigh Ride
Santa Flies To New York
*The 12 Days Of Christmas
*The Nutcracker
*The Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers
*New York At Christmas
Santa Steps In/Department Store
*Here Comes Santa Claus
*Chestnuts
*Closer Every Day
*Rag Dolls
*The Man With The Bag
*Dance Of The Frost Fairies (NEW)
Living Nativity
*Christmas Lights
PURCHASE
Sec ORCH4 Row N Seat 406 ($170.00): Perfectly centered yet far enough away from the falling "snow" in the front rows and just underneath the 1st mezzanine. The viewing area was spectacular https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=TdEA84FxKgIS2_-T1idICg&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw!
Soldier Pocket T-Shirt ($40.00): Like I needed another t-shirt to add to my ever growing collection, I wished the year was printed on it https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=IPzmRnGisM7o4F__vUtteA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw.
Mrs. Claus's Mule Cocktail ($18.00): Crafted with Tito's Vodka, passion fruit puree, ginger beer, and lime juice, the vodka was almost non-existent which was then basically a fruity ginger beer drink https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=TffDg1wcBglXY1u9JU2qKw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw.
Show Program ($15.00): A nice souvenir with nice pictures and story copy on very good paper stock https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=RABO-fvf728Hjw-pp087Hg&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw.
Magnet ($10.00 x2): A little souvenir for mom and sister https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=UP0oaCKKIWOwMzvjRHuglA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw.
Tote Bag ($5.00): Decent quality, but I really needed something to carry all the swag I bought https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=enf8a1mAUzCW7hFDmggQQA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw!
12pc Souvenir Cookie Bucket ($19.00): This was an impulse buy AFTER the show because I was hungry for chocolate chip cookies which were fresh and surprisingly good https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=57wNVjTNPyK5gXrFRPynIA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw.
SERVICE
The online purchase was a breeze. They asked that you queued in the line at least 30 minutes before showtime to allow enough time for security check (good thing we showed up even earlier!). Once inside, we headed for the closest concession stand to get our drink on. The lines were long, but the staff got through the patrons in good enough time in all instances. The usher greeted us and graciously showed us to our row. After that, no more service was required. I was impressed with how everything ran like a fine precision Swiss watch - thank you!
PARKING (Varied; N/A this instance)
Located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, there wasn't any onsite parking; instead, there were a ton of offsite garages, or you could take your chance in trying to find a spot along the many congested streets that surrounded the area. Otherwise, just simply walk as I did, or there were a plethora of nearby subway stations - 'nuff said.
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
A nearly 6,000-seat theatre with one large orchestra section and three tiered mezzanines all facing in the same direction towards the stage, each row was slightly raised https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=PwtjvYE623ndZ8EY108F3Q&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw. As you'd imagine, everything was decked out in Christmas regalia. A decent amount of natural lighting came into the lobby while electric lights filled in the rest at night. I saw no TVs while festive music and the general hustle-and-bustle of the buzzing activity bombarded your ears.
ATTIRE
In a suit and dress shoes for the holiday; otherwise, business casual would be the bare minimum.
OVERALL
The Christmas Spectacular Starring The Radio City Rockettes was awesome, hokey, a total tourist trap, and I loved it! Having said that, I felt I got the itch out of my system. But definitely, everyone should see this show in person at least once. Prices were high, but I didn't let that ruin things. I found complete value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $287.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 5.0 STARS