REVIEW: Radio City Christmas Spectacular

A Review

Holiday Kicks

By R. J. Donovan

Haul out the holly, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular is back in town.

Having premiered in Boston two years ago, the show is back at The Wang (correction, the Citi Wang Theatre) for 54 performances through December 31.

The production features a cast of 53, including a dozen singers and dancers plus the world famous Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, who kick up their heels again and again during the two-hour show. (The production is virtually identical to the show that played played here in 2004. If management is planning this as an every-other-year Wang tradition, it would be nice if some new elements were introduced.)

With Santa as our jolly old host (and logging more stage time than anybody else), teddy bears come to life, snowmen dance, we visit the North Pole, join in the holiday excitement of 5th Avenue and top the evening off with Radio City's trademark Living Nativity (which, aside from the live animals, features some highly detailed and really majestic costumes designed by Pete Menefee).

As an added Opening Night treat, Governor-elect Deval Patrick was on hand to present a special reading of "Twas The Night Before Christmas."

The Rockettes first appear as Santa's reindeer and later dance (and act out) the Twelve Days of Christmas. They close out the first act with their signature "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" (above) showcasing precision military marching and climaxing with their crowd-pleasing, slow-motion domino collapse to the stage floor. They return in Act Two for a couple of pieces, including a colorful Rag Doll tap number.

With glitter and snow and plenty of rich, holiday colors, the show goes into overdrive with more Christmas songs than even Perry Como knew, from "Deck The Halls" to "White Christmas," "Snowfall," "Winter Wonderland," "I'll Be Home For Christmas," "Let It Snow," "The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year," "Happy Holidays," "We Need A Little Christmas," "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve" and Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker."

From start to finish, it's all presented with bright smiles, colorful outfits and the sugary spin of the season. Bottom line, it's beginning to look a whole lot like Christmas -- at the Wang.

"The Radio City Christmas Spectacular" is at The Citi Wang Theatre, 270
Tremont Street in Boston, through December 31. For information, call 880-447-7400.

-- OnStage Boston

12/08/06

			A Review Holiday Kicks By R. J. Donovan Haul out the holly, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular is back in town. Having premiered in Boston two years ago, the show is back at The Wang (correction, the Citi Wang Theatre) for 54 performances through December 31. The production features a cast of 53, including a dozen singers and dancers plus the world famous Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, who kick up their heels again and again during the two-hour show. (The production is virtually identical to the show that played played here in 2004. If management is planning this as an every-other-year Wang tradition, it would be nice if some new elements were introduced.) With Santa as our jolly old host (and logging more stage time than anybody else), teddy bears come to life, snowmen dance, we visit the North Pole, join in the holiday excitement of 5th Avenue and top the evening off with Radio City's trademark Living Nativity (which, aside from the live animals, features some highly detailed and really majestic costumes designed by Pete Menefee). As an added Opening Night treat, Governor-elect Deval Patrick was on hand to present a special reading of "Twas The Night Before Christmas." The Rockettes first appear as Santa's reindeer and later dance (and act out) the Twelve Days of Christmas. They close out the first act with their signature "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" (above) showcasing precision military marching and climaxing with their crowd-pleasing, slow-motion domino collapse to the stage floor. They return in Act Two for a couple of pieces, including a colorful Rag Doll tap number. With glitter and snow and plenty of rich, holiday colors, the show goes into overdrive with more Christmas songs than even Perry Como knew, from "Deck The Halls" to "White Christmas," "Snowfall," "Winter Wonderland," "I'll Be Home For Christmas," "Let It Snow," "The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year," "Happy Holidays," "We Need A Little Christmas," "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve" and Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker." From start to finish, it's all presented with bright smiles, colorful outfits and the sugary spin of the season. Bottom line, it's beginning to look a whole lot like Christmas -- at the Wang. "The Radio City Christmas Spectacular" is at The Citi Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont Street in Boston, through December 31. For information, call 880-447-7400. -- OnStage Boston 12/08/06

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