Our group, Nabila, Sophia and Angelika, went to see ZERO: Countdown to Tomorrow at the Guggenheim Museum, The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Rocketts and Disgraced on Broadway. The three events are essentially completely different forms of art, related by their ability to express different elements of human nature in distinct manners. While I enjoyed tremendously the three events, it is that time of the year when one wishes to talk primarily Christmas, coincidently this is also my favorite time as a skier. The Christmas Spectacular was wonderful and even magical. We were very surprised to see a full house at Radio City because we went before Thanksgiving. We had great seats in the orchestra and thus, our interaction with the action going on the stage was very personal and perhaps even intimate. It is not often that one watches a Santa Claus running around before his eyes.

I believe that the Christmas Spectacular is already an intrinsic part of New York’s culture because it prepares the city for the Holiday season. The intent of the show is to entertain the audience, but also to sparkle some love, happiness and magic into the atmosphere. After the show, everyone felt incredibly elated. Sometimes one needs this kind of event to relax and accept the moment. Before the event we all had lots of college work, exams and worrying, but the show forced us to relax and enjoy.

The show highly emphasized the Rocketts and nearly every other number was a dance number. The Rocketts performed different dances ranging from ballet, to tap dancing and even some acrobatic movements. One of the most wonderful numbers was The Nutcracker ballet performance in which the dancers were dressed in oversized animal costumes from the story. Even though they had enormous costumes, they were still gracious ballet performers. This was a very humorous performance. In addition, Tchaikovsky’s accompaniment was great because even though there are no words, Tchaikovsky’s music speaks itself. The music conveys the story line. Further, the Rocketts performed to some very cliché, but charming, Christmas carols such as “Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” The outfits in each performance were stunning as well.

I also realized that the Rocketts perform three times a day, or perhaps even more when it is closer to the holidays. It must take lots of love for dance to be able to take on this profession. Their dances take months to coordinate so that the dancers can dance in unison. The line-leg kicking still amazes everyone because it is so incredibly hard to do with thirty dancers at the same time. Even though the Christmas Spectacular seems as if just another entertainment show, it takes a plethora of hard work from the dancers, musicians and costume designers.

Overall, I believe that the Christmas Spectacular is a wonderful production because it has the intent to bring happiness to the audience and it does so efficiently. It is a very carefree show that is suited for both adults and children. In fact, it brings adults back into their childhood where everything was magical and lighthearted. This show is a time travel to a different dimension, Santa-land, which leaves behind the troubles and the New York rush. I enjoyed this show because it presented all forms of art.

-Angelika Pokovba