This topic is locked, no replies allowed. Inaccurate or out-of-date info may be present.

  • Print

Topic: Radio City Music Hall cancels the Rockettes' Christmas Spectacular for the first  (Read 404 times)

cadence4u

    US flag
    View Profile
  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 475 (since 2016)
  • Thanked: 40x
Radio City Music Hall cancels the Rockettes' Christmas Spectacular for the first time in 87 years due to the coronavirus pandemic

* MSG Entertainment, which owns the Radio City Music Hall, announced Tuesday its decision to close the curtain on the
   iconic festive show for 2020
* The Christmas Spectacular was to run from November 6 to January 3
* It is known for its performances by the legendary Rockettes dance troupe
* MSG Entertainment is also laying off one-third of its corporate workforce   
* Sister company MSG Sports is also axing about 15 percent of its corporate staff

Radio City Music Hall has canceled the Rockettes' Christmas Spectacular for the first time in 87 years due to the coronavirus pandemic.

MSG Entertainment, which owns the Radio City Music Hall in New York City, announced Tuesday its decision to close the curtain on the 2020 festive show as infections of the deadly virus continue to surge across America.

The annual Spectacular, famous for its sparkling performances by the legendary Radio City Rockettes dance troupe, had been scheduled to run from November 6 to January 3 this year.

Its cancellation comes as the events giant also announced plans to lay off around one-third of its corporate workforce marking the latest business casualty to come from measures put in place to slow the spread of the virus.   

'We are disappointed for everyone involved with the show, as well as for the many fans who make the Christmas Spectacular a cherished part of their holiday tradition,' MSG Entertainment said in a statement announcing the Spectacular's canceling.

All tickets will be automatically refunded at the point of purchase and fans can start snapping up tickets for the show's return the following season.

'We look forward to welcoming audiences back for the 2021 production, which is on sale now,' the company added.

This marks the first time the Christmas Spectacular has been canceled since its debut in 1933 catapulted the show into becoming one of the highlights of the Big Apple's festive calendar.

The 90-minute long celebration of the holiday season centers around the legendary Rockettes, set up by Russell Markert back in 1925.

Around 80 Rockettes take to the stage in a typical season and more than 75 million people have flocked to watch them since the show first opened.

The shuttering of the holiday performance comes as MSG Entertainment also announced Tuesday plans to lay off 350 people or about one-third of its corporate workforce. 

MSG Sports, the sister company which owns the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers, is also planning to ax 50 jobs or about 15 percent of its corporate staff.

'This was a difficult decision for both companies, as we know that our success rests on the strength of our people, who consistently set the industry standard for excellence and professionalism,' the companies said in a statement.

'While we believe this is a necessary step to protect the long-term future of our businesses, we continue to actively pursue solutions that will allow us to safely reopen our doors, so we're able to bring as many employees back as quickly as we can, once a return date for live events is established.'   

Live performance organizers have been hard hit during the pandemic, with theater shows, music performances and live sports first forced to shutter back in March. 

In June, the Broadway League announced it was extending the closure of Broadway theaters for the rest of 2020.

Once the epicenter of the virus, New York City has recorded 222,522 cases of coronavirus and 18,927 confirmed deaths, with another 4,623 probable deaths.

Cases and deaths have been declining in the city and wider state but the outbreak is now spreading across the South and West of America, with Texas, Florida and California all hard-hit.

To date, more than 4.7 million Americans have tested positive for the virus and 155,000 have been killed. 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8592285/Radio-City-Music-Hall-cancels-Rockettes-Christmas-Spectacular-time-87-years.html

dreamyxo

    US flag
    View Profile
  • Platinum Member
  • *********
  • Posts: 6845 (since 2007)
  • Thanked: 185x
I don't think we can gather in large groups for a very long time.  I hope things get better by this time next year. 

makeblessed

    US flag
    View Profile
  • Gold Member
  • ********
  • Posts: 3000 (since 2013)
  • Thanked: 67x
That is so sad to hear, but understandably with not being able to gather in large crowds; this will be a very different kind of holiday season, I generally travel to visit family but will be remaining home this year. Hopefully, next year will be better.

debidoo

    US flag
    View Profile
  • Platinum Member
  • *********
  • Posts: 4425 (since 2010)
  • Thanked: 184x
Not that I would be going anyway but it is sad the impact that is made by this virus and that is not to even mention the societal difficulties that seem to be on the increase.

pstovall

    US flag
    View Profile
  • Platinum Member
  • *********
  • Posts: 4331 (since 2011)
  • Thanked: 224x
OMG!  That is unbelievably sad.  Think of all the people who have always wanted to visit the Rockettes' during Christmas, and finally bought tickets, only to find it's been cancelled. And the disappoint to the dancers and staff (and people losing their jobs.)  I don't even want to think about how my own traditional family get together is going to evolve. Stressful times, indeed.

ktheodos

    US flag
    View Profile
  • Platinum Member
  • *********
  • Posts: 5504 (since 2008)
  • Thanked: 88x
Wow...the domino effect of this pandemic continues....

aflyingmonkey

    US flag
    View Profile
  • Gold Member
  • ********
  • Posts: 2985 (since 2014)
  • Thanked: 107x
Sad. Might as well figure on this entire year being on pause...  My Governor, Gavin Newsom, stated that herd immunity won't be reached in the state until probably 2022 -- can't imagine another year of this type of life on pause.  I'm thinking how is Halloween, Thanksgiving, & Christmas going to play out this year :(

Nancy5

    US flag
    View Profile
  • Platinum Member
  • *********
  • Posts: 6813 (since 2012)
  • Thanked: 405x
That is so sad but I honestly expected it.  It’s a shame it really is something to see.  We only live about 2 1/2 hours from New York City and we have seen pretty many of the Christmas shows.  If you ever get a chance to see one please try to go.  You won’t regret it.
*Image Removed*

judylucas

    US flag
    View Profile
  • Silver Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 1675 (since 2015)
  • Thanked: 36x
So very sad but better to be safe than sorry

linderlizzie

    US flag
    View Profile
  • Platinum Member
  • *********
  • Posts: 4118 (since 2012)
  • Thanked: 294x
I hope they don't stop practicing because it makes their legs look great!

  • Print
 

Related Topics

  Subject / Started by Replies Last post
5 Replies
1111 Views
Last post December 03, 2010, 03:12:37 pm
by sgluckadoo
24 Replies
5077 Views
Last post September 03, 2012, 06:35:34 pm
by ShadeTree
music radio

Started by bszamborski « 1 2 » in Offers

15 Replies
1082 Views
Last post March 01, 2013, 10:00:33 am
by ladavia89
Christmas Music

Started by LaKecias « 1 2 3 » in Off-Topic

31 Replies
2883 Views
Last post November 10, 2014, 05:30:25 pm
by cathy37
22 Replies
1426 Views
Last post January 04, 2017, 07:17:16 pm
by PGS28