invinciblesummer

We are a young 32-year-old Australian couple coming to NY for Christmas (3 week stay).

I have heard that the Radio City Christmas Spectacular is worth going to - despite my guidebook calling it
a 'hokey rip-off'. Ouch!
I must admit, parts of it do look a little cheesey, but I suppose that's part of the appeal.

My question - 2nd Mezz and 3rd Mezz tickets are temptingly cheap...
What can I expect sitting in either of these sections? If the seats are really terrible, just wondering whether it would be worth going at all.

invinciblesummer

Oh - and if we are happy with 2nd Mezz or 3rd Mezz tickets, is it easier just to wait til we get there and buy them then?

magialmemories

We went in 2006 on Christmas Day and sat in the second Mezz. We were 37 and had our 11 & 14 yr old.

A lot of touristy things are cheesy but I thought this was worth it. There was a live nativity scene at the end that was so beautiful and the dancers were really amazing. I thought the Moulin Rouge in Paris was very cheesy and wouldnt go back but am so glad I did it....Radio City is just a classic NY city moment that I dont think you would regret.

Also we went on Christmas because there really wasnt a lot going on that day. If you are thinking about ice skating in Rockefeller Plaza Christmas morning is the time to go....absolutley empty first thing! We walked through New York and had it all to ourselves.

Have fun! Three Weeks? You are going to have the time of your lives!

Judyrem

I agree with magialmemories. I liked it very much. I love Christmas, and this was magical.

Philip

If you love "musicals" and "Christmas" suggest:

1. throw away any guidebook that calls the Christmas Spectacular a 'hokey rip-off'

2. buy the best tickets that are still available and that you feel comfortable purchasing

Having said that, my wife and a friend have been going to NYC at Christmas each year. We buy tickets early in the year as soon as they become available. I suggest Mezz only as last resort (however, don't miss because they are the only seats). We will also be seeing Jersey Boys this year.

IMHO Rocketts and the Christmas Spectacular is outstanding. You may have to attend during the day as better seats will be available. Loved visiting your country.

nytraveler

The Radio City Music Hall is incredibly large - not like a normal theater - it has over 6,000 seats - and I would;t touch mezzanine tickets with a barge pole if you want to see anything except the overall shape of things.

As for being "hokey" - I'm a native and have been seeing shows there since I was 5. So for me - I'd never go - even if for free. We usually do the Nutcracker at Lincoln Center for the holidays.

but - if you have never seen a troupe like the Rockettes - it's your call if it's worth the money.

that said the show is very old-fashioned and the dance isn't the quality of what you will see on Broadway.

Fodorite018

I took the kids one year and we loved it! We had seats in the 1st mezz and they were fine. We were only a few rows from the front of that area. The show is excellent and lots of fun.

NeoPatrick

I wouldn't miss it for the world, hoakiness and all!

I've only seen it from down in the orchestra and relatively close up at that. I once did a Music Hall tour and we went into the 3rd Mezzanine. I could make out the stage, but to be honest Barbra Streisand and Rosie O'Donnell could have been standing next to each other on that stage and at that distance I wouldn't have had a clue which was which. It is really a LOOOOONNNNNNNGGGGG way up there.

SharonG

I started going as a child and it is absolutely magical. Don't miss it. The Rockettes alone are worth the price of admission especially their classic Toy Soldier routine.

nytraveler

The March of the Tin Soldiers is cute- but when you've seen in 6/7 times - and it's available on TV every year - it has limited interest.

gyppielou

I think due to your extended stay, it is likely you can get seats when you arrive. Check out off peak times and you just may find that the company has released house seats, which are up close, but not too close. I think my Mom even got them at a discount due to a slow selling performance. The closer to the Holidays and Weekends are madness, but if you look for a Tuesday Wed, anything could happen.

I'd gamble on finding something when you arrive. The economy is down, and a lot of things just aren't selling. So many families may pass on their yearly tradition.

happytrailstoyou

Check out discounts available at broadwaybox.com

invinciblesummer

Thanks all! I'm gonna attempt to buy orchestra seats!

kswl

We've been numerous times and our best seats were the first row of the first mezzanine. We had kids with us and wanted to make sure they saw everything, and because they did, we did, too. First row, First Mezz are better than back row Orchestra seats, imo.

invinciblesummer

Well, I just tried to buy a couple of tickets, but apparently international addresses are not allowed to choose the option where you print your own ticket at home?? Makes it a bit difficult. We will be staying with a friend, so I could use her address, but then it says if the credit card details don't match the billing address, the order might not go through.
Guess I will just wait until we get there.

invinciblesummer

Just tried again and purchased tickets via Will Call.
We're in Orch2, row RR, seats 202-201.
These may be too close, but everything else I could find was too far away!

Does anyone know how far in advance we are allowed to collect Will Call tickets?

dfnh

OMG, I was so surprised to see this show called a hokey rip-off. I have only seen it twice. The first time with my husband who had to be dragged to see it. We live in NH and he hates cities. He was mesmerized by the theater and the staging. (Probably appealed to the engineer/builder in him) He loved the show. I saw it a second time with friends and I think it was a mistake to get close seats that were way off to the side. There is an illusion created for the Nativity but we were too close and too far to the side and didn't see the illusion part. We could see actors coming onto the stage from behind the curtain.
OUr granddaughters are only 2 and 4yo so I have to wait a few years before we can take them but I certainly want to see this show again.

girlonthego

This is a wonderful show. You will have a great time! I have seen it several times over the years and each time enjoyed seeing it again. It puts you in the Christmas spirit. It is good that you bought your tickets ahead of time. I think they are hard to come by unless you buy them way in advance. The farthest back we have sat is 1st mezz. and that was fine.
Orchestra is so much better. I can't help with willcall, usually I think the day of the performance? Enjoy NY!

NeoPatrick

Not at all too close. You are about 16 rows back, but at the extreme side. Still you'll love it.

Here's a seating chart if you haven't seen one:

http://tinyurl.com/67l6hq

invinciblesummer

Thank you very much everyone!