Radio City Rockettes cancel ‘Christmas Spectacular’ due to COVID-19 in New York

This holiday season, visitors to New York City can see the iconic outdoor Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, but they won’t be able to attend Radio City Musical Hall’s “Christmas Spectacular.”

The famous Rockettes dance team has revealed that the coronavirus has forced them to postpone the rest of their performances for this year.

“The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes” revealed just a week before Christmas Eve that it will cease its 2021 season, which was set to expire on Jan. 2.

“We regret that we are unable to continue the Christmas Spectacular this season due to increasing challenges from the pandemic,” the organisation stated in a statement released Friday. “We had hoped we could make it through the season and are honored to have hosted hundreds of thousands of fans at more than 100 shows over the last seven weeks. We have loved bringing back this cherished tradition that helps usher in the holiday season in New York City and look forward to welcoming fans back to Radio City Music Hall in 2022.”

It’s been a tough week for live shows. As strains of the coronavirus spark a new surge in Covid cases in the metropolis, show after show on Broadway has been cancelled.

After a company member tested positive, “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” cancelled its Thursday night performance, leaving audience members in their seats.

Since the theatre business reopened in September, productions have been starting and stopping. Due to breakthrough cases, “Aladdin,” “Chicken & Biscuits,” “Chicago,” “Wicked,” and “Wicked,” as well as “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” have been forced to cancel performances or shut down.

However, these incidents have become increasingly common in recent weeks since the Covid omicron form has resulted in an upsurge in infections, even among fully vaccinated people.

The jukebox musical “Tina,” about famous singer Tina Turner, cancelled both of its performances on Wednesday, while the Harry Potter play cancelled its matinée and “Hamilton” postponed its evening performance.

Four performances of “Mrs. Doubtfire,” a new musical adaption of the iconic comedy film, have been cancelled between Sunday and Wednesday. In addition, three episodes of “Freestyle Love Supreme” were cancelled, one of “Ain’t Too Proud” was cancelled, and four of the off-Broadway revivals of “Little Shop of Horrors” were cancelled.

Workers and audience members have been vaccinated, and patrons are compelled to wear masks during performances. Many of the firm members and employees who tested positive were asymptomatic or had just minor symptoms. They are not permitted to return until they are no longer considered contagious.

Productions have been able to continue in some cases even when a cast member tests positive for Covid-19, with understudies or swing performers filling in.

While fans have been understanding of the cancellations, they are costly to shows, particularly those that are just getting started. While performances with large audiences are pillars of the Broadway community and will be able to recover, emerging productions may have more difficulties.

For example, “Chicken & Biscuits,” a comedy about a family reuniting for a funeral, shuttered its doors permanently at the end of November.

While New York metro area ticket holders have the option of rebooking, travellers who come specifically to attend Broadway musicals are less fortunate.

Tourists account for 65 percent of Broadway ticket sales on any given year. In addition, they spend more money on transportation, food, and lodging. Frequent cancellations, particularly during the busy Christmas season, may prevent these travellers from purchasing tickets for fear of the show being cancelled before it begins.