Perhaps you have heard of The Showplace of the Nation. It is Radio City Music Hall.
Radio City Music Hall is more than just a theater. It is a landmark. It stands as a testament to Art Deco design. It is located in the heart of Rockefeller Center.
Let us step back in time. Imagine the 1930s. John D. Rockefeller Jr planned a new opera house. The Metropolitan Opera was to be housed here. The 1929 stock market crash changed those plans. Radio City was born instead.
Radio City Music Hall was the brainchild of Rockefeller. Samuel Roxy Rothafel and David Sarnoff also contributed. Edward Durell Stone designed the building. Donald Deskey designed the interiors.
The auditorium is massive. It can seat nearly 6000 people. It was the world’s largest theater when it opened. The stage is equally impressive. It is wide and deep. Its design evokes a sunset.
Look around. The interior is decorated in geometric Art Deco forms. Glass aluminum and chrome abound. Murals adorn the walls. Ezra Winter Yasuo Kuniyoshi and Stuart Davis created them. Sculptures by Robert Laurent and Gwen Lux add to the beauty.
The stage is technologically advanced. Its elevator system was copied by the U.S. Navy. They used it on aircraft carriers during World War II. Legend says government agents guarded the technology.
Radio City Music Hall opened on December 27 1932. The opening show was lavish. It featured many acts. The show was long and not well-received.
Within weeks Radio City changed its focus. It began showing movies with spectacular stage shows. Frank Capra’s The Bitter Tea of General Yen was the first film.
Radio City became known for movie premieres. King Kong Breakfast at Tiffany’s and The Lion King all premiered here. The theater hosted over 650 movie premieres.
The Rockettes are synonymous with Radio City. This precision dance company has performed here for decades. Their Christmas Spectacular is a beloved tradition.
Radio City has hosted many awards shows. The Grammy Awards the Tony Awards and the MTV Video Music Awards have all been held here. Graduation ceremonies for Hunter College and Pace University also take place here.
In 1978 Radio City faced closure. It was saved through landmark designation and renovation. It reopened in 1980.
In 1999 Radio City underwent a major renovation. The curtains seats and carpets were replaced. The ceiling was restored.
Today Radio City Music Hall continues to host concerts and stage shows. It remains a vibrant part of New York City’s cultural scene. It is a showplace. It is a landmark. It is Radio City Music Hall.