Radio City Music Hall

moviebuff82 on October 13, 2009 at 2:46 am

How about 3D movies? The digital ones. They should get 4k projection and not the digital IMAX screens that the chains are using. They should also show broadway musicals like other former movie theaters that are now broadway theaters.

gabedellafave on October 12, 2009 at 11:50 pm

Vito — The orchestra (100 musicians) was seated in the pit. I didn’t know that the pit could hold 100 musicians but it can.

The 200 singers in the combined chorus were on the stage proper; children—stage right, grownups—stage left. They were in three rows and covered the length of the proscenium.

Projection to my eyes looked like HD digital. I looked around a couple of times to find the source, but could not see it.

I agree with RCTD that the image was a little washed out during the darker scenes, but given the circumstances, I don’t see how they could have avoided that.

I’ll also agree with RCTD about the sound. It was absolutely superb — clear, full, and not too loud — and no “Music Hall echo”!

Re: Christmas Show—I agree with oldjoe about the vid projections on the walls. Never really cared for them.

Pet peeve for today: By the way, who ever installed the huge side LED screens did a very bad job of it. There is at least one foot wide gash in the Music Hall ceiling, to allow for one of the suspension rods. The hole looks like it was ripped out with a jackhammer. Couldn’t they have been more careful? I know it is only cosmetic, but jeez we only have one Music Hall.

I won’t go into the choral staircase curtains that are missing their valances; nor the really bad fluorescent lighting in the public areas of the theatre; or the curtains on those side LED screens which look trite and are demeaning to the great stage contour curtain. Other than these items, the theater looks fine — very clean and in good repair.

Wish list: I hope that someday they will restore the indirect lighting behind the radiating grills in the auditorium, as well as the downlights under the choral staircases.

I also wish they would direct the incoming crowd through the main ticket lobby on 50th Street, instead of through the 51st Street “entrance” which is really an exit. Perhaps this new arrangement is due to security. The theater goer is supposed to see a progression from a small dimly lit low space to a vast golden sunset (or sunrise). The 51st St entrance is small, dim, and low, but it doesn’t register with the theater goer—it’s too small.

Finally two things: I hope someday they will put at least a few chairs and tables in the Grand Lounge, and that they open the 50st Exit from the Grand Lounge which takes the theater goer to the Rock. Center Concourse.

But we can’t have everything and thank goodness the theater is still with us — in any condition.

oldjoe on October 12, 2009 at 6:11 pm

The video projection elimated was directly on the walls/ceiling over the choral stairs on both sides of the theatre. Fuzzy still shots and snowfake graphics – and a distraction from the live show. sometimes lesss is more , good call to cut it.

gabedellafave on October 12, 2009 at 12:26 am

Almost a sell out. In my opinion, it looked a 90 to 95 percent booking.

gabedellafave on October 11, 2009 at 7:19 pm

Photos of the ‘LOTR’ event last night. We sat in 505E/506E (Row VV) in the orchestra section. It was a slightly different experience from our vantage point.

View link

rcdt55b on September 17, 2009 at 7:27 pm

It doesn’t mention wardrobe specifically on my schedule. October 20th is first day of load in. October 30th is first tech rehearsal.

rcdt55b on September 17, 2009 at 4:07 pm

Early?? It’s 3 days later than last year..lol.

Vito on September 17, 2009 at 10:22 am

Thanks oldjoe, Even that troublesome bus huh

Vito on September 15, 2009 at 2:10 pm

RCDTJ, has always we will look forward to your posts regarding the Christmas show. Anything new this year? I suppose the only thing the booth will be used for is the 70mm 3-D opening.
PLease don’t be shy, keep us up to date Thank you.

moviebuff82 on September 15, 2009 at 12:52 am

Last night, the MTV VMAs were shown live at this place. The Michael Jackson tribute was the best part of the show, and also Taylor Swift coming out of the nearby train station exit near the entrance to the theater was pretty cool. Next big event will be the LOTR film concert, and the Xmas show!!!!

kong1911 on September 7, 2009 at 1:05 pm

rvb, That is not a second organ. It is a second console connected to the same organ. Also, it is not a slave console. I also have been impressed when both are used. djf7 The Paramount organ can still kick. I was there yesterday. I’ll try resending you that e-mail.

robboehm on September 5, 2009 at 3:44 pm

Were you ever there when both organs were in operation. Of all the many times I was there I was surprised, on one occasion, when a second organ was revealed. My favorite things were always the elevators. I remember one show when, after it finished playing, the orchestra did not sink into the pit, as usual, but was transported to the back of the stage and raised again to preside over the action. It eventually disappeared only to reappear at the usual location. Very impressive for a young child – or even an adult.