Radio City Music Hall

Simon, I’m intrigued by your box-office numbers regarding “North by Northwest” topping the non-holiday record held previously by “High Society.” I followed the RCMH figures (and those of about 200 other theaters) scrupulously in Variety for decades. But especially RCMH’s numbers because that was the theater that, more than any other, enjoyed the pick of the litter. Is there any chance you kept a log of RCMH’s weekly figures, film after film?

Tinseltoes, Thanks for talking about it. August 6, 1959 must have been an absolute summer night in New York City to remember for a lifetime! With North by Northwest on the big screen in the big Hall, and add the Summer Festival and the spectacular “Serenade to the Stars,” and all the New York scenes in the movie, WOW!“ So, Tinseltoes, where can one find these unforgettable "bright-lights” moments in today’s NYC?

For most of you, this link won’t be news, but I thought I would just share a photo of myself (second left) as an RCMH in 1958 with a short article I wrote to accompany a review of “Zarkana” http://curtainup.com/zarkana.html Enjoy. Also would like to initiate a possible reunion of staff prior to the Music Hall ending its regular stage and film policy. Anyone interested?

The contour curtain is open in the current show. And probably, and rightfully, because it wouldn’t fit into the Zarkana production design… It’s too dramatic and grand. Zarkana is dark and mysterious… And a little creepy, quite frankly.

The Cirque commitment is for three years each summer, with an option for another two. Re: changes to the structure… I would think the landmark status of RCMH would prohibit any permanent change to the proscenium. Regarding the show specifically, I’ve seen it and, well, let’s just say it’s not a spectacular Roxy would have mounted —– more like Alice in Wonderland meets Las Vegas. They’re using the music hall stage for its size, not for it’s technical ability. Mind you all, this is just one man’s opinion.

I’m sure nothing that was done to the Music Hall for the Cirque du Soleil show is permanent. The alterations were probably overseen with a great deal of attention to detail and meticulous planning for eventual restoration, once the contract for “Zarkana” runs its course. When David Letterman took over the Ed Sullivan Theatre for the Late Show, they did extensive modifications to the auditorium and took great care to box-up and store pieces of stained glass and other delicate ornamentation so that the Landmark-protected house could be restored once the production vacates the facility. Consider that Letterman is TRULY a long-term tenant at the Ed Sullivan and how much more significant a structure Radio City Music Hall is – not just for the city but the entire country.

Thanks redt55 It just seems looking at the pictures that the changes to the proscenium were minor and not enough to affect the screen size but I guess looks are deceving. Any idea if Cirque du Soleil will return next summer?

I added the Cirque du Soleil photos to the photo section of RCMH

NY I did a review of the show and in this clip the proscenium can be seen somewhat altered. I have no apples to apples comparisons to show but the changes seem minor, perhaps I am wrong and someone moe familar with the theatre can elaberate, it has been a while since I attemded a show there. The stage has been extended out over the pit area but that is not at all unusual and has been done many times. Bases on what we can see here it would even be posssible to use the main curtain in the show.The NY 1 video shows a bit more of the processium than the You Tube video tinseltoes has kindly posted here , I have included the video of the review and made a couple of caps as well. As to the size of the3D picture for the Christmas show it seems to me based on what you see in this video the picture does not need to be made smaller as suggested by rcd55b perhaps there is a secondary reason for the change of the picture size we may learn about later. There are changes this tear with the Rocketts 3D what ever that is and may explain the change in the screen.

http://www.ny1.com/content/140402/new-cirque-du-soleil-show—zarkana—fills-radio-city-music-hall?ap=1&MP4

[URL=http://pimpandhost.com/image/8203477-original.html][IMG]http://ist1-4.filesor.com/pimpandhost.com/1///_/1/y/q/6/9/yq69/music%20hall1.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[URL=http://pimpandhost.com/image/8203502-original.html][IMG]http://ist1-3.filesor.com/pimpandhost.com/1///_/1/y/q/6/y/yq6y/music%20hall12.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

It looks inicent enough from the You tube movie I just am confused by rcdt55 comment about reconfiguring the Christmas Show 3D for a smaller picture because of some of the changes. That sounds a bit scary, please to expmain rcdt55 I read the Times review and can’t for the life of me find anything regarding “auditorium modifications” Did my tired ole eyes miss something?

Oh my plinfesty I think we are all clear on that whole Kiss Me Kate misunderstandment it was an interesting journey however mudding thru it all was it not :)

Plinfesty, I simply wanted to clarify the 3D situation at the hall I beleive I misssd the word “probably"in your post which changes what you meant, and I misunderstood it

I sute miss the days when we had someone like REndres at the hall to keep us up to date, I have asked about the modifacatios in the Hall for the current show but apperently no one knows. Guess I will have to go there and see for myself. I also wonder how the boxoffice is doing with those very high ticket prices for that show.

Ok now ou have sparked my interest What are these modifacations you speak off. I certanly hope the main curtain is intact.

Thanks for that tinsetoes, has anyone attended the show I would love to know more abouttchnical aspects of how the show works at the hall.