May 1, 2008

New York, NY - Madison Square Garden Entertainment (MSGE) announced today that it will launch the biggest production of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, starring the world famous Rockettes, in the show’s 76-year history. This year marks the debut of a whole new Spectacular, re-imagined specifically for large-scale venues and playing to 18 cities across the country. This production will redefine family entertainment in an Arena setting, as this brand new show replicates the magic of the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall on an entirely different scale, including all the elements of the 75th celebratory edition, which debuted to critical acclaim and dazzled national audiences during its televised NBC special last year.

“The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is the #1 live holiday production in the world and has been a cherished part of holiday family traditions for generations. Straight from the great stage of Radio City Music Hall, the scope and scale of this new production of The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is going to raise the bar for live family entertainment,” said Jonathan Hochwald, executive vice president, Productions, MSG Entertainment. “We look forward to bringing the spirit and warmth of our holiday production to more people than ever before with the largest traveling Christmas celebration ever created.”

Directed and choreographed by Linda Haberman, who conceived and directed last year’s critically acclaimed 75th celebratory show at Radio City Music Hall, the Arena production was specifically designed to play in large venues scaled to capacities ranging from 7,000 – 12,000.  This multi-faceted theatrical touring production will be completely constructed for an arena space, allowing the audience to experience the magic of The Christmas Spectacular at the grandest scale ever imagined by the Radio City creative team. Hitting the road with twenty-six trucks and sixteen buses, the show will celebrate Christmas with dramatic arena lighting effects; breathtaking imagery; flying sequences; new musical compositions; and an array of glamorous new costumes. The touring production will feature high-energy, tap-infused Rockette performance numbers, breathtaking sets that will surround the audience and special effects that will fill the venue.

“My vision for the Rockettes and the Christmas Spectacular has always been to explore scale and take the precision dance form to new levels, whether in a theatrical venue or an arena space,” said Linda Haberman, director and choreographer, Radio City Christmas Spectacular. “In my view, the mark of a true classic is that it is timeless, relevant and can be re-interpreted to push artistic boundaries.”

The show will be enhanced by an immense LED screen that will transport the audience from a wintry landscape to Times Square to Santa’s Workshop right before their very eyes. The larger than life sets and awe-inspiring special effects, such as Santa flying out into the audience as snow falls upon the crowd, will allow families to connect with both the intimacy and grandness of The Christmas Spectacular as they are immersed in the warmth and grandeur of the holiday spirit. From the moment guests settle into their seats, the audience will become part of the Spectacular’s magical experience.

Traditional fan-favorites like “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers,” which continue to set the standard as the signature Rockette number for precision performance, and “the Living Nativity” will remain a vital part of the show’s core. And this year, the Rockettes will undoubtedly bring the audience to their feet with a Rockette finale “Let Christmas Shine,” which honors and celebrates the Rockettes as the stars of the show.

For more than three-quarters of a century, the Radio City Rockettes have entertained millions of families with their eye-high kicks and unparalleled precision dance. The Radio City Christmas Spectacular creates wonderful memories for more than two million patrons each year and has been enjoyed by approximately 65 million people since its inception in 1933.  The Rockettes are an American treasure and their performance style has always been both entirely glamorous and deceivingly complex.  As the stars of the legendary Christmas Spectacular, the Rockettes will move this new production forward as they showcase their signature precision dance style and debut some of the most challenging and freshest Rockette numbers that have ever been conceived.

ARENA TOUR TICKET INFORMATION:
Become a “Radio City Christmas Spectacular Insider” and get the best seats before they go on sale to the general public in September. Groups of 10 or more people will be on-sale beginning May 1, 2008. For more information please visit www.radiocitychristmas.com and sign up today.

Madison Square Garden, L.P. is owned by Cablevision Systems Corporation, and includes the New York Knicks (NBA); the New York Rangers (NHL); the New York Liberty (WNBA); the Hartford Wolf Pack (American Hockey League); MSG Entertainment, which includes concerts and events at Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, The WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden, the Beacon Theatre, as well as the legendary Chicago Theatre, and which manages wholly-owned live entertainment properties including the Radio City Rockettes and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular; MSG Media, which is comprised of MSG and MSG Plus; Fuse, the music television network; and the Madison Square Garden arena complex, located in the heart of the New York metropolitan area.

Since 1977, the Frank Erwin Center has served Central Texans with some of the best in live entertainment. The multi-purpose facility located on The University of Texas at Austin campus, hosts a variety of events including concerts, theatrical performances, family shows and sporting events. It is also serves as the home court for the Texas men’s and women’s basketball teams.

For all ticket inquiries, please contact Texas Box Office at
512-477-6060 or 1-800-982-2386.

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