Radio City Music Hall
1260 6th Avenue,
New York,
NY
10020
1260 6th Avenue,
New York,
NY
10020
116 people
favorited this theater
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Vincent: “Each employee should get a SAAB for their Christmas bonus.” I agree and I even personally know a Saab dealer though he is in Erie PA and not NYC!
The Christmas show seems to have more corporate sponsors than a worlds fair with a potential gross from ticket sales alone of 21 million a week(not including premium priced ducats. In saner times these were simply the reserved seats on the first mezz.)
Each employee should get a SAAB for their Christmas bonus.
Cold shivers run through Radio City Christmas show
By Elizabeth LeSure
NEW YORK Radio City Music Hall’s famed “Christmas Spectacular” may have a different ring this year. Management promised ticketholders Thursday that the show will go on but the leggy Rockettes might have to dance to canned music as the result of a musicians strike.
A preseason performance Wednesday was canceled and ticketholders left disappointed as several dozen musicians staged a picket line outside the Manhattan landmark. Stagehands walked out in support.
“We are going to hope that cool heads prevail and that everybody involved will find a way to get the show back,” said David Lennon, president of Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians.
At issue are salaries and overtime pay. The orchestra’s contract expired in May. Lennon blamed Radio City Entertainment, which produces the Christmas show, for the subsequent breakdown in talks.
In a statement, Radio City Entertainment said the union walked away from the negotiating table and was holding hostage “the ‘Christmas Spectacular,’ its 300-member cast and crew as well as hundreds of thousands of patrons.” No meetings between management and labor are scheduled.
The union accuses Cablevision Systems, which operates Radio City, of vastly underpaying musicians who put on several shows a day throughout the holiday season. Radio City responds that it offered the musicians increases in salary and benefits “over what is already the most lucrative contract in the industry.”
The labor strife has cast a cloud of uncertainty over the “Christmas Spectacular” ? a show that has entertained children and adults for seven decades. People pay up to $250 a ticket to watch the Rockettes high-kick to Christmas tunes.
“We have the whole night to do absolutely nothing,” said Alaura Imperioli, 16, of the Bronx, who had planned to see the canceled Wednesday night.
Lennon said the union-represented Rockettes were supporting the musicians in their walkout but Radio City officials said that was not the case and suggested there is a no-strike provision in the Rockettes' contract.
The Rockettes reached a contract agreement with Radio City Entertainment last month. A message left for the union representing the Rockettes, the American Guild of Variety Artists, was not immediately returned.
More than a dozen Broadway musicals went dark in March 2003 for four days after the musicians' union walked out, and theaters lost millions in revenue. But when the union struck the New York City Ballet in 2000, performances of “The Nutcracker” went on as scheduled with taped music.
Last week, hundreds of musicians and supporters held a boisterous, music-filled protest on Sixth Avenue in front of Radio City Music Hall.
Union negotiator Mark Johansen said previously that Radio City Entertainment was trying to cut the musicians' base pay of $133 per show, which he said was about $40 less than what standard Broadway musicians are paid. At the height of the Christmas season, the orchestra works as many as six 90-minute shows every day ? at overtime pay beyond the first two. The musicians must play at least 12 shows a week.
On average, Johansen said, a musician doing 150 of about 200 shows in the run would make about $25,000; orchestra members also receive very basic year-round health benefits.
Here’s a Program from August 1957:
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“Carefree” might have lasted only a week, but “Silk Stockings†ran for six weeks in ‘57. It was yet another in a quartet of big musicals that played at RCMH that year, ushering the two named to follow on the announcement page. I’m not sure anyone knew that it would be Astaire’s last musical. The stage show’s salute to the USAF brought a Wright Bros.’ model B to the footlights, along with an original Sousa-like composition by RCMH’s music arranger Rayburn Wright (no relation to the Bros.?); athletic high leaps by Conrad Ludlow, a Balanchine protégé and principal dancer from the NY City Ballet; a full range of sound effects mouthed by Wes Harrison, who regularly deployed his lip-talent for Disney and Tom ‘n’ Jerry cartoons; accompanying mimes by circus-clown George Carl; andâ€"staggering if true, a show to wake the deadâ€"an appearance (on film?) by Robert Goddard, a contemporary of Lindbergh and a pioneer rocket scientist who died in 1945. But what I remember most was a series of blasts that rocked the huge auditorium every fifteen minutes or so. On the NW corner of 50th and Sixth, excavations were underway for the foundation of the Time-Life Building which would rise within the year. Ker-Bam. Ker-Boom. Ker-Shudder.
From what I read today the virtual orchestra is a recording of a 55 piece orchestra. Is this possible that other musicians would do this to their own union collegues?
UPDATE
I just spoke with a reliable source who told me last night preview show was cancelled, however in spite of the fact that they do not have a contract, have decided to play today in the spirt of the tradition of the Christmas show and for the many people who have tickets to todays performances. Although the first show is 11AM it is unclear wheather or not Radio City will allow them to play or go on with their plan to use canned music. However, in light of the solidarity issue I can’t imagine that will happen.
Congrats to Local 802 for their dedication to the people of New York in the decision to continue to work this problem out and not strike
today. Radio City, the ball in in your court.
Oh Denpiano that’s great! I was hoping for solidarity.
It sounds as if there will be a contract for the musicians by the start of todays show. Please keep us posted, I am going to try and swing by there today.
>>Fascinating that two of Hepburns greatest Holiday and Bringing up Baby only played a week each. They both seemed perfect choices.
These pictures came out during Hepburn’s “box office poison” period; big flops in their day but now considered classics.
The Rockettes and stagehands walked out last night in solidarity,
today will tell if there indeed will be a show this year.
They cancelled the Christmas Show tonight because the Musician’s Local 802 went on Strike. Looks like they will be using Recorded music for the performances till the musicians return.
Warren: What a neat b/w photo! Thanks so much as all RCMH fans will enjoy seeing it!
Anybody else remember the Christmas show from ‘71 with a circus theme where there was a trapeze act over the orchestra pit? They had cut holes in the first arch so that they could hang the equipment which was the only time I remember the auditorium being modified in any way. What goes on today would be considered unthinkable.
The orchestra was on stage so that the sunken pit had a net in it.
Having the act in effect in the house itself made it seem all the more dangerous.
Yes, sounds like a great book. I hope it’s the definitive one. So many stars bios are just parts of their lives, either their work or private life. Nice to read a book that explores everything, warts and all.
Warren: Thanks for the plug! It’s always nice to chat with an author! I will consider purchasing “Clark Gable: A Biography” by Warren G. Harris!
Clark Gable starred at the Music Hall in Adventure(one of only two at the Hall?)This film for some reason began Greer Garson’s(the Music Hall greatest star)descent in popularity while not affecting Gable at all according to Warren in his book on Gable.
I only saw one Garson film there “The Happiest Millionaire."
It would be interesting if somebody would compile a list of movies stars films which had their New York premieres at the Hall and the length of the engagements.
Fascinating that two of Hepburns greatest Holiday and Bringing up Baby only played a week each. They both seemed perfect choices.
And the discount book website is www.abebooks.com
The celebrity website is www.imdb.com Also, correction Mr. Gable was married 5 times!
Stan: Thank you so very much for your recent RCMH post! I plan to see the show in Charlotte on December 30th at the Ovens Auditorium and sure hope there is a live orchestra after reading your words about that element! On the 31st I’ll post my personal thoughts. You mentioned the classic, Gone With The Wind. I’ve been reading about Clark Gable’s life and found it most fascinating. I didn’t know that he went on to marry twice after the death of wife, Carole Lombard. He not only had a son (John Clark Gable) born with his 4th wife, but he had an illegitimate daughter, Judy Lewis whose mother was the late Loretta Young though they never really acknowledged her existence. Go to google and type in any celebrity name and a website will come up with additional information on that celebrity. Ms. Lewis wrote a book entitled, Uncommon Knowledge that I plan to purchase on a discount book website.
I am an older dad with young children (eleven and nine years) and definitely a Music Hall Groupie. Since their birth we have seen the Christmas Show three times at Radio City and one time in, of all places, Myrtle Beach, SC. One of boys when he saw the Wooden Soldiers number remarked that there were not very many soldiers this time and of course the Myrtle Beach Theatre could not accomodate the full line of Rocketts.
I have also seen the Christmas Show in Chicago and just last year at the FOX Theatre in St. Louis. I can tell you that they all pale in comparison to seeing the show at RCMH. For one thing the backdrops and scenics are all static and none have the Great Hydraulic Stage elevators.
But the one thing that I really missed was the live orchestra which none of theatres offered.
If they do away with the live orchestra at RCMH I predict that the Christmas Show will not last another three or four years and it certainly won’t last at current ticket prices.
I have tickets for this year and will ask for a refund if there is indeed canned music.
It will ruin the show and the current owners should not treat this as a trivial matter.
They should not underestimate the intricate part the live orchestra plays at RCMH.
In fact, when I saw the show at The Fox in St. Louis a couple of people around me remarked that they were disappointed that a live orchestra was not present. They wanted their children to experience that element.
One of my great experiences at Radio City was seeing the 50th Anniversary showing of Gone With The Wind. I thought that I would be the only fanatic in the crowd but, as it turned out, there were
some 6000 New York fanatics. We all knew the film so well and reacted to every moment.
At Scarlet’s oath the whole audience cheered. It was amazing.
Always fun to read about one of the greatest art deco theatres ever built and “Reborn after a $70 million renovation in 1999, Radio City has been restored to all of its original opulence.”
Denpiano – Many thanks for the infomation about the new stop tabs. I suspected they were for something like that. I got hooked on the Music Hall organs when I was growing up in Ottawa, Canada, through old Dick Leibert 78s and later his LP series and Ray Bohr’s elegant recording for Reader’s Digest. One of the first things I did when I got to New York was write to Leibert for more information on the organ. He forwarded my letter to the publicity office and I received the whole press package – photo, press release, stoplist and chamber analysis. Had that whole thing memorized in a week! I would be interested in exchanging more thoughts with you on the organ and organists. You can email me privately at , so we don’t take up valuable space here. I wonder if I may have been acquainted with your friend who recently passed away.
Vincent – The years appear to have taken a toll on my ability to recall details – I could have sworn that when I started going to the Music Hall regularly in the fall of 1967 that I only paid 99 cents in the afternoon, but I have checked a few New York Times ads I have in my collection and apparently I was paying more! Prices for the 1968 Easter show (Disney’s “The One and Only Genuine Original Family Band” with “Glory of Easter” and a Markert production “Spring Bouquet” on the Great Stage) were $1.25 to noon, $1.50 afternoons, evenings $2.00 ($2.25 on Fridays), Sat., Sun. and holidays slightly higher. By the following Easter (Disney again, this time “The Love Bug” along with “Glory of Easter” and “The Spring Thing”) the afternoon and evening prices had risen a quarter. Even at $1.75 it was a bargain, especially when you could stay all day if you wanted!
Stan… “Mame” was released in 1974. It played with the Easter show on the Great Stage. I saw it here as well.
By the by… the rooftop observation deck at 30 Rockefeller Center (across 51st street from RCMH) is set to re-open on November 1st after being closed to the public for some 20-odd years. If anyone plans on making it in to NYC for the Holidays, a trip to Radio City should be paired with a trip up to the top of the former RCA building. It offers spectacular views from a comfortably open space. I remember visiting when I was a child and was floored by the views of the Empire State Building and Chrysler Building. Bieng not quite as tall as the more famous deck on the 86th floor of the Empire State, you don’t get the feeling so much as being high above the city but more that you’re skimming the top at eye level with all the other mid-town skyscrapers. You might recall that a portion of the “New York, New York” number in “On the Town” were filmed here (most people outside of NY might assume the shot is of Kelly, Sinatra and Munchin singing atop the Empire State, but they’d be wrong). I’m anxious to have a re-visit myself after all these years.
Vincent-
The organ is used in May for all the graduations and also
for any renters of the hall that request it, though rare, they
sometimes ask for “walk ins” 20 minutes or more prior to whatever
extravaganza they are throwing. Update: tomorrow (SUN)we are supposed
to have an orchestra run thru for the christmas show, I hope they settled their differences!!
Don’t Let Cablevision $teal Christmas!
SUPPORT RADIO CITY MUSICIANS!
Call CEO Jim Dolan at
(516) 803-1002.
Tell him you demand the real Radio City orchestra, not canned music
.
In answer to the above post I remember seeing a RCMH Ad in the late 50’s – early 60’s showing a price of 90 cents before 10:30 AM. And here are a few insignificant memories of my own about RCMH.
As a six year old in 1947 my family drove up from Florida for a NEW YORK CITY VACATION.
It was the beginning of my love for NYC with the Empire State Building and the RCA building where
a tour of the radio studios ended with a display of, oh my GOD, TELEVISION. But it was e RADIO
CITY MUSIC HALL that impressed me the most. A STAGE SHOW and a MOVIE. I thought I had gone to heaven and I remember especially all the curtain maneuvers (not just the GRAND DRAPE) but all the runners. Its been 58 years ago but the split timing of the show is still with me. The Rocketts would all be dancing and singing or whatever for the big finale and the curtain would close and then
immediately open and there was the Movie., How did they do that so quickly was my thought.
I also remember that well into the 50’s (when I was in high school and in New York again) I attended a RCMH show and remember the newreel contained just ONE news event (about 45 seconds with the intro and close). The Coming Attraction trailer as mentioned above was very impressive because it was custom made (like a formal invitation) and accompanied by the organ playing subdued music. I remember the Grand Curtain dropping down and wondering whether the preview would run out before the curtain completed its drop since it takes some time for the curtain to complete its
closing.
I was lucky to see (probably around 1960) or so the Underwater Mermaid Sequence which was fantastic.
Around 1970 I was with a friend who was well versed in the ARTS and MUSIC and who had never been to RCMH. We attended the 3:43 or something like that and the movie was almost over. The curtain closed and immediately this giant Symphonic orchestra rose up playing all the while. I remember him laughing at the audacity of the presentation (I mean the orchestra was actually playing as it rose and this was not just some small band but a damn symphonic orchestra. He just couldn’t believe it. But he was impressed and enjoyed the entertainment value of the show if not the
sophistication he was used too.
The last film I saw and it must have been in the middle or late 70’s was MAME with Lucille Ball. I sat in the upper balcony. stan