Radio City Rockettes Return To Wang
For Holiday Season

After a four year absence, the world famous Radio City Rockettes will star in the "Radio City Christmas Spectacular" as the popular holiday production returns to Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre for 53 performances.

"The Christmas Spectacular" made its Boston debut in 2004, playing to sold-out houses, breaking box office records, ultimately playing to more than 200,000 theatergoers during its three-week run. A return engagement in 2006 repeated that success. Presented by John Hancock, the 2010 edition of "The Christmas Spectacular" will play the Wang Theatre from December 3 - 29.

"The Christmas Spectacular" is aptly named. A cast and crew of nearly 100 people will return to Boston to make teddy bears dance, wooden soldiers come to life and reindeer fly as Santa and his elves prepare for their biggest night of the year. Add the Radio City Rockettes performing their fancy footwork and eye-high kicks and you've got a show The New York Times calls “Brilliant! It lifts the spirit and spreads warmth, joy and good will!”

Jonathan Hochwald, of EVP Productions, MSG Entertainment, commented, “We are really looking forward to our return engagement in Boston this holiday season. Boston audiences are the best! They loved every minute of 'The Christmas Spectacular' in 2004 and 2006 and we can’t wait to kick off the holidays again on the beautiful Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre stage!”

Those who have glowing memories of the famed New York production of the "Radio City Christmas Spectacular" will be glad to know that the dance numbers featured in this production include “The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” (above)and “The Living Nativity” (below), both of which have been an integral part of "The Christmas Spectacular" since it debuted in 1933. In addition to the traditional favorites, the production will also feature “The 12 Days of Christmas,” a glittering Rockette tap number, and “Christmas in New York,” a high-kicking tour of New York City.

Josiah A. Spaulding, Jr., President and CEO of the Citi Performing Arts Center, added, “We are thrilled that the world famous Radio City Rockettes are coming back to the Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre. It’s hard to believe that four years have passed since they last played here. We have heard from so many families that experienced the 'Radio City Christmas Spectacular"' in its two previous visits and look forward to including the show in their holiday plans. We are proud to present them with the opportunity to continue the tradition.”

In 1994, due to popular demand, MSG Entertainment (the live entertainment arm of Madison Square Garden, Inc.) broadened "The "Radio City Christmas Spectacular" schedule for the first time to encompass markets outside of New York, while running simultaneously in Manhattan. Since then, the "Radio City Christmas Spectacular" has been performed in such cities as Boston, Atlanta, St. Louis, Chicago, Detroit, Ft. Lauderdale, Denver, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Seattle, Nashville, and Phoenix, among others.

In 2009 alone, the "Radio City Christmas Spectacular" was enjoyed by more than 2 million people. In its 16-year combined history outside of New York, as well as the production at Radio City Music Hall, the "Radio City Christmas Spectacular" has played to more than 69 million people.

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 dance troupe first kicked to life in 1925 as the “Missouri Rockets” and made their show business debut in St. Louis, the realization of a longtime dream of their creator, Russell Markert.

For tickets and information, stop by the box office, call 866-348-9738 or visit www.citicenter.org.