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Rockette Holiday Show Ages Spectacularly

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By KATHY L. GREENBERG, Tribune correspondent

Published: December 9, 2007

TAMPA - The "Radio City Christmas Spectacular" at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center proves why classics never go out of style. Besides the few updates, such as references to fax machines and BlackBerries, the 75-year-old production still entertains with traditional song, dance and holiday cheer.

Santa Claus and the Radio City Rockettes started the countdown to Christmas in a sleigh ride from the North Pole to Tampa. Santa, played by William Thomas Evans, warmed up the audience with a nod to local attractions, and no one seemed to mind the erroneous inclusion of Siesta Key.

Evans' jolly welcome segued into 12 dazzling numbers with the Rockettes, who kicked just as high as when I first saw them perform 25 years ago. Their showmanship and technical skill were superb, especially during the "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" number. A Timex watch could not be more precise than these 18 women marching in unison and then collapsing like dominoes at the end.

One of the most charming acts was "The Nutcracker: A Little Girl's Dream." After Santa selected a young girl from the audience to join him on the stage, the dancers emerged in elaborate bear costumes. Pandas, teddy bears and baby bears, heavy-headed and overburdened with stuffing, looked surprisingly elegant moving to the "The Nutcracker" suite.

The real treat was when the girl returned to the stage as a ballerina - clearly not a randomly selected participant.

When Mrs. Claus (Rebecca Young) made her entrance, the show took on a homespun feel that made me yearn for fresh-baked cookies and hot chocolate. Young was endearing as Santa's roly-poly better half and stole a bit of his thunder in the "Santa's Workshop" number.

"Christmas Spectacular" ended with the "Living Nativity" scene that has remained in the show since 1933. The audience gasped when a donkey walked nonchalantly across the stage, followed by camels and sheep. Though beautifully costumed and staged, this final act was jarring because it was so disparate from the overall production. It was the least secular part of the show and contrasted sharply with the warm inclusiveness of the first 12 scenes.

The costume designs of Gregg Barnes and Pete Menefee were imaginative and bold, as expected in a Radio City performance. From top to toe, the Rockettes shone in sequins and vibrant colors. Scenic designer Patrick Fahey took the audience across the world effortlessly, equally capturing the timeless romance of New York City and the magic of Tchaikovsky's dreamland. The music, including beloved carols, a bit of rock 'n' roll and some original toe-tappers, completed this nearly perfect holiday package.

REVIEW
Radio City Christmas Spectacular

WHEN: Through Dec. 30; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; . 1, 5 and 8 p.m. Friday; . 11 a.m. and 2, 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 1, 4 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Carol Morsani Hall, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa

TICKETS: $39 to $74; (813) 222-1001; www.tbpac.org

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