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- 1. Photo by PamelaCosel/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 thelast 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."