The spotlight shines on New York City’s theaters and concert venues, where artists and performers showcase their Holiday spirit. At Fordham College Lincoln Center (FCLC), students are excited for the return of their favorite classics such as “The Nutcracker”, “Radio City Christmas Spectacular”, “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical” and “The Christmas Attic.”

“THE NUTCRACKER”

Throughout New York City, variations of George Balanchine’s classic ballet “The Nutcracker” will be featured in numerous theaters, including The David H. Koch Theater and the Tarrytown Music Hall. At Hammerstein Ballroom, the Moscow Ballet will be taking a different angle on the story about marching toy soldiers, ballerinas and mice with their “Great Russian Nutcracker”.

For theatre design major Mikaela Peyton Berry, FCLC ’18, “The Nutcracker” was the first production that she ever attended. “I’ve been in love with the theater ever since I saw this production,” she said. 

“I love the dancing and the music in ‘The Nutcracker.’ Just watching and listening to ‘The Nutcracker’ puts one into the Christmas spirit,” Matt Figura, FCLC ’18, said.

Berry explained that “The Nutcracker’s” choreography was dynamic. “The sugar plum fairies dance was so beautiful and lively, and the dancers look as though they are snowflakes dancing around the stage,” she said.

“RADIO CiTY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR”

For those who enjoy the traditional classics of the Christmas spirit or are reuniting with the family for the holidays, Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas Spectacular on Broadway will be showing until Dec. 31. 

“My experience watching ‘The Radio City Christmas Spectacular’ with the Rockettes was amazing. I can vividly remember how the actors and actresses for the production would not only act on stage, but also use the entire auditorium as a stage as well. It is also a great production to watch as a family, and a great New York tradition I hope to pass on to my kids later,” Elizabeth Garcia, FCLC ’17, said.

Garcia explained that the production genuinely portrayed the ties between the hoilday spirit and family. She agreed that the story portrayed the bonds between mother and daughter. “[The story] truly captured both a strong sense of holiday spirit as well as family union, as the mother and daughter both bonded while teaming up to beat the villains of their game, whilst the mother being open to technology,” she said.

When asked about what was most interesting about the show, she said, “The set design was what struck out to me the most. As I mentioned before, the acting would pop out at the audience because the actors and actresses would act beyond the traditional stage and use the entire auditorium as a stage in the production.”

“The fact that the Christmas Spectacular has been a huge holiday tradition in the city is entirely Christmas-themed can make it a little excluding, as I don’t remember them addressing other holidays celebrated like Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, as much, but the family theme recompenses as family union is universal,” Garcia said.

“DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL”

Another familiar family classic story is “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical,” which will show at Madison Square Garden until Dec. 28. The musical features Max the Dog as the narrator for Grinch’s schemes to take away holiday spirit and cheer. “It shows how by showing love to someone you can bring joy to their life and change them for the better,” Emily Polonia, FCLC ’18, said. 

“THE CHRISTMAS ATTIC”

For those who prefer the edgy side of the holidays, Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) will be showcasing a rock concert called “The Christmas Attic” at the Nassau Coliseum on Dec. 18 with giant video screens and pyrotechnics display to mix both heavy metal and classical music. “The Christmas Attic” Tour was named after the 1998 rock opera and the holiday-themed opera will be played by TSO live for the first time.

The general vibe that many holiday productions give is the good and importance of family to come together for the annual tradition: Christmas.