Radio City Christmas Spectacular Boston Featuring the Rockettes (Review)

For years, when people talk about activities and must-see attractions that awaken some good old-fashioned holiday spirit, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the Rockettes always seems to be a topic of conversation. In all honesty, I have mainly only related this particular show to New York City and I don’t think it ever really registered until I was provided with an opportunity to review the experience, just how many shows occur in Boston each holiday season.

Call us crazy, yes, we were the ones who brought our 26-month-old son to a 7:30 p.m. show in Boston. Right now he is our only child, and we have tried our best to not pass up new or different family experiences, even if they directly coincide with his bedtime. So we crossed our fingers and hoped for the best.

When I asked Gavin this morning about our visit to see the Rockette’s, his response in one-word toddler order, as he paused to think was this, “Santa … HoHoHo … school bus … reindeer … dancing!” Aside from the fact the show had a red double decker bus instead of a school bus, I’m pretty sure it left a long-lasting impression on his memory.  For the entire show, minus a few minutes before intermission and the last few minutes of the show, he was completely mesmerized during the 12 scene, 1 hour and 45 minute show.

I don’t know why I assumed this, but I figured that most of the acts would feature only the Radio City Rockette’s, number after number. I was hoping at some point Santa made an appearance, but figured that it probably would be like all the parades we have gone to, that he’d ride in at the tail end in some grand fashion, do a brief wave and keep on his merry way. Honestly, this show is completely magical and had so much more to offer than what I could have ever had imagined.

Santa was in the picture from the first act and made multiple appearances throughout different acts in the show, even starring in several himself. Given the fact that he’s pretty much one of the only things that my 2-year-old associates with Christmas today, Gavin was so excited to see him each and every time time he appeared.

The Rockette acts were amazing. Watching so many women choreographed in the utmost precision, is quite an experience. Aside from the dancing, this show provides a nice overview of all things Christmas. There was an adorable Nutcracker scene with an enormous Christmas tree and a lot of dancing bears, but one of our favorite scenes included the Rockette’s boarding a double-decker bus on stage. Coupled with the full size screen behind the bus, it gave the illusion that you were driving along with them through Rockefeller Center and the streets of New York.

The intermission was brief, only 15 minutes, which honestly felt like an eternity with a busy toddler. Prior to the start of the show we attempted to take a picture in the theater and were immediately reminded no pictures were allowed. When “tweeting” our whereabouts prior to show as well, we were also reminded that cell phone use was strictly prohibited. There was really only one place in the show that brought a little bit of a lull, as they showed a brief movie about the Rockette’s history. Most likely this lended itself for one big set change because it preceded The Living Nativity, which through no fault of their own, it was just late enough in the night to start Gavin’s downfall.

So many holiday experiences these days are watered down and removed of any biblical affiliations to appeal to the holiday masses. The Living Nativity scene, which included real camels, donkeys and sheep, along with Mary, Joseph and the 3 Wise men, really brought to light the real reason, as a Christian myself, why we celebrate this gift giving season. I’m so thankful my family had the opportunity to view such an entertaining and magical show, for us to see the excitement and awe through our toddler’s eyes will make this truly an unforgettable experience.

From now until December 12th, 2011 I’ll be giving away 4 tickets to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular Featuring the Rockette’s in Boston, MA with a meet and greet, scheduled for December 28th, 2011. Click on this link to view the post and read about how to enter the contest. If you would like to purchase your own tickets, there is a discount code available in the same post, that will provide 25% off during off peak performances.

I was provided with free tickets to view this show with my family. The opinions are my own.