NBC AND MSG ENTERTAINMENT TO AIR FIRST-EVER ONE HOUR 'RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR' HOLIDAY SPECIAL
NBC AND MSG ENTERTAINMENT TO AIR FIRST-EVER
ONE HOUR 'RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR'
HOLIDAY SPECIAL FROM THE GREAT STAGE
AT RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
"Today Show" Hosts Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira to Co-Host
Holiday Special; Legendary Don Hewitt to Serve as Executive Producer
'Celebrating 75 years of The Radio City Christmas Spectacular'
NEW YORK � May 23, 2007 � NBC and MSG Entertainment announced today the first-ever televised special to celebrate 75 years of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. NBC will offer viewers a chance to see America's most beloved holiday show in a one-hour extraordinary production from the Great Stage of Radio City Music Hall, in honor of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular's 75th year. Co-Hosted by 'The Today Show's' Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira, and executive produced by "60 Minutes" creator Don Hewitt, the special will air in early December. The 2007 edition of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular features the most dramatic re-imagining in 75 years, and for the first time ever, viewers will be able to experience the thrill and excitement of this New York holiday institution in their own homes nationwide.
For 75 years, millions of families have made coming to Radio City Music Hall for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular an annual tradition. The 75th Celebration of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular special NBC telecast will bring the show's unique holiday celebration into homes across America, featuring new scenes, state-of-the-art special effects, glamorous costumes, and eye-popping numbers performed by the world-famous Radio City Rockettes, as well as traditional classics including the famed "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers".
"NBC is thrilled to bring this timeless tradition to homes all over the country, and help celebrate their 75 years of success," said Doug Vaughan, Vice President NBC News and Entertainment Special Projects.
The annual production, along with the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, has become synonymous with the holidays in New York City and now, the quintessential holiday spirit that only The Christmas Spectacular can provide will be broadcast for NBC viewers to experience.
"The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, to be broadcast on NBC, salutes one of the most beloved entertainment institutions in the world, which has been a treasured part of holiday traditions for generations," said Jay Marciano, president, MSG Entertainment. "This year's show will be the most dynamic version to hit the Great Stage in our storied history, with new elements to showcase the unparalleled talent and precision of the world-renowned Radio City Rockettes, along with time-honored favorite numbers that families have enjoyed for decades. We are extremely proud to spread the unique holiday spirit of the one-of-a-kind Radio City Christmas Spectacular to millions of NBC viewers."
This year's production is framed around the heartwarming magic that only the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and the Rockettes can create. The 75th celebration features updated original scenes and Rockette performance numbers, ten new sparkling Rockettes costumes and breathtaking special effects on-stage, such as fireworks, delicate snowfall and Santa flying over The Great Stage.
Don Hewitt, legendary creator and executive producer of "60 Minutes," will serve as Executive Producer of the broadcast. "We wanted to find a way to bring the wonderful experience and tradition of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular to people everywhere," said Hewitt. "This 75th Celebration will warm viewers' hearts with the magical holiday spirit that has created wonderful memories for more than 62 million people since its inception in 1933; I am thrilled to be involved."
In 1994, MSG Entertainment (MSGE) broadened the holiday theatrical's schedule for the first time to include markets outside of New York. Since then, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular has performed in top cities across North America, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Ft. Lauderdale, Nashville, Pittsburgh, Toronto, and many more. In 2007, The Christmas Spectacular will entertain audiences once again in Phoenix, Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa, Chicago, and Nashville and will make its debut in Costa Mesa and Des Moines. In its 13-year combined history outside of New York, as well as the production at Radio City Music Hall, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular has brought joy and entertainment to families in over 29 different cities.
MSG Entertainment (MSGE), the live entertainment arm of Cablevision Systems Corporation, is a worldwide entertainment company recognized for its signature combination of event production. In addition to the nearly 700 entertainment concerts and events that take place each year at Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, The WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden, the Beacon Theatre, and the Expo Center at MSG, MSGE produces shows across America. MSG Entertainment's live events include "The Radio City Christmas Spectacular," as well as seven productions of The Christmas Spectacular outside of New York and this year's debut of Cirque du Soleil, WINTUK at the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden. Additional information about MSG Entertainment is available on the Web at www.thegarden.com and www.radiocity.com. Madison Square Garden, L.P. is owned by Cablevision Systems Corporation, and includes the New York Knicks (NBA); the New York Rangers (NHL); the New York Liberty (WNBA); the Hartford Wolf Pack (American Hockey League); MSG Entertainment, which includes concerts and events at Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, The WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden, and the Beacon Theatre; MSG Media, which is comprised of MSG and FSN New York; fuse, the music television network; and the Madison Square Garden arena complex, located in the heart of the New York metropolitan area.
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