If you think Santa Claus is jolly when he listens to little tykes’ requests at the mall, wait until you see St. Nick waltz across the stage at the 76th annual Radio City Christmas Spectacular in New York City.
The benevolent bearer of gifts sports the broadest of grins when surrounded by the Rockettes, a bevy of long-legged beauties kicking their way across the venerable Radio City stage in midtown Manhattan from November 7 through December 30.
More than half of the show was revamped for last year’s diamond anniversary. Some of the effects are dazzling: Falling snow, flying ribbons and fireworks are part of the new eye candy.
The Rockettes will kick it up a notch in their showstopper, “New York at Christmas.” The number finds them boarding an actual double-decker tour bus, which navigates the massive stage for a singing and dancing tour with “stops” at the Empire State Building and Central Park.
Despite the new numbers, there is room for tradition in the intermissionless, 90-minute show. The reverent “Living Nativity,” which features camels, sheep and donkeys, is still part of the production. And how can the show go on without “Here Comes Santa Claus”? The number features a cheery Kris Kringle flanked by hordes of hoofing helpers, who make the season very merry indeed.