1. Photo by Pamela Cosel/KXAN
A not-to-miss family Christmas show
Rockettes Christmas Spectacular through Dec. 26
Updated: Wednesday, 22 Dec 2010, 5:18 PM CST
Published : Wednesday, 22 Dec 2010, 12:54 PM CST
• Pamela Cosel
AUSTIN (KXAN) - It’s New York brought to Austin.
That’s what one patron said on opening night of the Radio City “Christmas Spectacular ” featuring The Rockettes.
“I’ve seen it in New York City, and it reminds me of the show in New York,” said Russ Finney. “A lot of the classic
dance sequences…It brings the Christmas tradition to Austin.”
The show is family-friendly, heart-warming and colorful, with a special ending that leaves the audience feeling good
and ready for the season.
Costumed characters are meant to put a smile on the faces of even the sourest of Scrooges: dancing bears,
mermaids, talking trees, ladies with pink hair, clowns, midgets. There are baby dolls with curly red wigs, horn-rimmed
glasses and big green bows. Not to forget Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus – all join the world-renowned, leggy dance
group, the Rockettes, on stage.
Eighteen women make eight different costumes changes in the show, and bring to life 12 different scenes that portray
the Christmas spirit in well-loved songs. From “Sleighride” to “The 12 Days of Christmas,” to “The Parade of the
Wooden Soldiers,” the dances and brightly-lit sets are simply fun.
The toy soldier costumes worn are still patterned after the original 1993 design created by Vincente Minnelli -- Liza's
father -- and show off the classic precision which the Rockettes are known for -- straight legs marching in perfectly
aligned angles, heads that turn in unison, ending as the lady soldiers execute a carefully orchestrated backwards fall,
all in a line, onto an oversized, stuffed red pillow held by a boy toy soldier. It’s a highlight of the show.
Santa and Mrs. Claus, along with their elves, play a big part, too. It wouldn't be Christmas without the chubby fellow
and his sleigh.

2. But it’s the last number, “The Living Nativity,” that takes one’s breath away. Live camels and sheep join shepherds,
Wise Men, Mary and Joseph to express the revered message of the holiday. The words of “One Solitary Life” written
on a bigger-than-life scroll flown from the ceiling share with the audience the story of Jesus’ birth and his mark on the
world.
Tickets are still available for shows at Bass Concert Hall on The University of Texas campus, set to run through
Sunday, Dec. 26. Valet parking is available for $16 for those who don’t want to find other parking.
It's a don't-miss holiday gift for the entire family.
Text of "One Solitary Life"
He was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another obscure village, where he
worked in a carpenter shop until he was 30. Then for three years he was an itinerant preacher. He never had a family
or owned a home. He never set foot inside a big city. He never traveled 200 miles from the place he was born. He
never wrote a book, or held an office. He did none of the things that usually accompany greatness. While he was still
a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him. His friends deserted him. He was turned over to his
enemies, and went throught the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a cross between two thieves. While he was
dying, his executioners gambled for the only piece of property he had -- his coat. When he was dead, he was taken
down and laid in a borrowed grave. Two thousand years have come and gone, and today he is the central figure for
much of the human race. All the armies that ever marched and all the navies that ever sailed and all parliaments that
ever sat and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this Earth as
powerfully as this "One Solitary Life."