How many seats does Radio City Music Hall have?

Radio City Music Hall currently seats 5,960 people, making it one of the largest indoor theaters in the world. When it opened in 1932, it seated 6,200. The seating has been slightly reduced over the years to improve comfort and sightlines while maintaining the venue's massive scale.

Who are the Rockettes?

The Rockettes are a precision dance company that has performed at Radio City Music Hall since its 1932 opening. The troupe consists of 36 dancers known for perfectly synchronized high kicks and formations. They are most famous for the annual Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Height requirements ensure visual uniformity during performances.

What is the Christmas Spectacular?

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is an annual holiday show featuring the Rockettes that runs from November through early January. It began in 1933 and includes famous routines like the Parade of the Wooden Soldiers and the Living Nativity. The production presents over 200 performances each season attracting millions of visitors.

What style is Radio City Music Hall?

Radio City Music Hall showcases Art Deco design at its finest. Interior designer Donald Deskey created lavish spaces featuring geometric patterns, rich materials like gold leaf and crystal, and the iconic sunrise ceiling design. The building represents one of the world's best examples of Art Deco architecture and received landmark designation in 1978.

Can you tour Radio City Music Hall?

Yes, Radio City Music Hall offers guided tours when performances are not scheduled. The tour includes the grand foyer, the auditorium with its famous ceiling, backstage areas, and history of the Rockettes. Tours provide insights into the Art Deco design and the venue's role in entertainment history.

How big is the Radio City stage?

The Great Stage at Radio City Music Hall measures 66 feet deep and 144 feet wide, making it one of the largest indoor stages in the world. The proscenium arch rises 60 feet high. The stage features elevators, a turntable, and sophisticated technical systems that allow elaborate productions with massive casts and complex effects.

Why is it called Radio City?

The name Radio City comes from the partnership between John D. Rockefeller Jr. and the Radio Corporation of America during the Rockefeller Center development. The RCA connection led to the Radio City name. The Music Hall designation reflects its original purpose as a premier entertainment venue featuring music, variety shows, and movies.

December 27, 1932: Radio City Music Hall Opens in New York

The world's largest indoor theater debuts in Manhattan

On December 27, 1932, Radio City Music Hall opened in New York City as the world's largest indoor theater, seating 6,200 people and becoming an iconic entertainment landmark.

Key Facts

Opening Date

December 27, 1932

Location

Rockefeller Center, Manhattan

Original Capacity

6,200 seats

Architect

Edward Durell Stone

Interior Designer

Donald Deskey

Cost to Build

$10 million (1932)

Architectural Style

Art Deco

Famous Feature

Great Stage (66 feet deep)

The Rockettes

Precision dance company since opening

Christmas Spectacular

Annual tradition since 1933

Landmark Status

Designated 1978

Annual Visitors

Millions attend shows yearly

Quick Stats

Attribute	Value
Grand Opening	December 27, 1932
Seating Capacity	5,960 seats (current)
Stage Dimensions	66 feet deep, 144 feet wide
Construction Cost	$10 million (1932 dollars)
Opening Night Attendance	6,200 people
Number of Rockettes	36 dancers per season
Chandelier Weight	2 tons
Landmark Designation	1978 (Interior and Exterior)
Christmas Spectacular Shows	200+ performances annually

About December 27, 1932: Radio City Music Hall Opens in New York

On December 27, 1932, Radio City Music Hall opened its doors in New York City, instantly becoming the world's largest and most spectacular indoor theater. Located in Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan, the venue seated 6,200 people and featured groundbreaking Art Deco design that dazzled audiences.

The Vision Behind Radio City Music Hall

Construction began in 1931 during the depths of the Depression. Workers labored for 18 months to complete the massive theater. The final cost reached $10 million, an enormous sum in 1932.

Art Deco Masterpiece Design

Radio City Music Hall showcased Art Deco design at its most spectacular and refined. The grand foyer featured 60 foot ceilings with gold leaf accents and massive mirrors. A magnificent chandelier weighing two tons hung in the lobby, crafted from crystal and measuring 30 feet across.

The Revolutionary Great Stage

The stage measured 66 feet deep and 144 feet wide, making it one of the largest indoor stages in the world. The proscenium arch rose 60 feet high, creating a dramatic frame for performances. The stage featured revolutionary technology for 1932, including three elevators that could raise and lower entire sets.

The Rockettes and Precision Dance

Louis in 1925 as the Missouri Rockets. The opening night featured 16 Rockettes, but the troupe eventually expanded to 36 dancers. Height requirements ensure visual uniformity, with dancers between 5 feet 6 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall.

From Movie Palace to Christmas Tradition

Throughout the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, Radio City premiered major Hollywood films with lavish live prologues. However, by the 1970s, changing entertainment habits and the rise of multiplex cinemas made the movie palace model obsolete. The theater received landmark designation in 1978, protecting it from destruction.

The Christmas Spectacular Phenomenon

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular evolved into one of New York's most beloved holiday traditions. The show combines traditional Christmas elements with Broadway style production values. State of the art lighting, projection mapping, and special effects create magical moments.

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Did You Know?

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Radio City Music Hall opened December 27, 1932, as the world's largest indoor theater seating 6,200

•

The Great Stage measures 66 feet deep and 144 feet wide with a 60 foot high proscenium arch

•

The Rockettes have performed at Radio City since opening night, known for perfectly synchronized precision dance

•

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular began in 1933 and now presents over 200 shows annually

•

The magnificent Art Deco chandelier in the lobby weighs 2 tons and measures 30 feet across

•

Radio City received landmark designation in 1978 protecting both exterior and interior from alteration

Frequently Asked Questions

Radio City Music Hall opened on December 27, 1932, in New York City's Rockefeller Center. The opening night featured a nearly four-hour variety show for 6,200 attendees. The theater was built during the Great Depression as part of the Rockefeller Center development project.