SHOW’S STILL A KICK
THE “Radio City Christmas Spectacu lar” may be marking its 75th anniversary, but it’s hardly show ing its age. Indeed, this latest edition is better than ever, thanks to some spiffy new numbers, newly dazzling production values and vibrant choreography that showcases the Rockettes in all their high-
kicking glory.
Director/choreographer Linda Haberman has enlivened the lavishly staged show, which had grown rather stodgy lately, to superb effect. And if there’s a certain self-congratulatory air to the proceedings – witness the short film narrated by Tony Bennett detailing the history of the Music Hall and its most famous attraction – at least it’s well-
deserved.
This year’s show wisely emphasizes the dancers, who are frequently given center stage to showcase their synchronized skills.
Clad in costumes that seem sexier than ever, the gorgeous Rockettes dazzle in such imaginatively choreographed routines as the toe-tapping “Twelve Days of Christmas,” “New York at Christmas” (complete with an onstage, double-decker bus) and, of course, the classic “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers.”
From its opening number, “Sleighride,” featuring antlered Rockettes as reindeer, followed by a 3-D film projected on a giant LED screen depicting Santa flying over the city streets (though I could do without the cheesy product-placement appearance of Madison Square Garden) and a sing-along finale, “Joy to the World,” the fast-paced, 90-minute “Spectacular” rarely disappoints.
The sole exception is the retooled “Living Nativity” segment, which pales in comparison to the wonderfully painterly stage pictures of the admittedly old-fashioned original.
Whatever the weather, rest assured that it will snow inside the hall. Given the indoor precipitation here and at “Wintuk” and “The Grinch” (once the latter resumes after the strike), it’s becoming necessary to bring an umbrella to the theater these days.
RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR
Radio City Music Hall, 50th Street and Sixth Avenue; (212) 307-1000. Through Dec. 30.

