Radio City Music Hall
1260 6th Ave, New York, NY 10020
I don’t know if it’s obvious, but I like to choose buildings that aren’t super well known for these newsletters. I like the idea of showcasing places that you wouldn’t normally know anything about. This week will be the exception because I love this place. Radio City Music Hall is sooooooo that girl, it’s ridiculous.
Being one of the few redeeming qualities of Midtown Manhattan, Radio City Music Hall is casually the largest indoor theater in the world. No big deal! I did not know that until right now. Me with this place: “idk, there’s just something about her. It’s a really spectacular venue and, like, super special. Why is no one talking about this? I’m the only one who can see her for who she truly is.” Meanwhile, it’s a fucking globally recognized landmark. Did yall already know this?? Rue, when was this???
this is a video. please watch it. it’s short and worth it, I promise. (warning: expletives)
So there’s a chance most of you didn't actually know that but I still felt a lil silly while learning that fact. Anyways, on with the show! Here are some quick facts!! It can seat ~6,000 people! Its marquee is a full city block long! Most theaters have seats with obstructed views from columns or equipment but due to its design, there’s literally not a bad seat in the house! AND the acoustics are perfectly designed so sound carries beautifully throughout the whole theater!
I’ve been here about 4 times now and every time I’m amazed while walking in. Covered in beautiful shades of red and gold, the grandiose lobby has a sweeping staircase leading to both the upper and lower levels. The design of this place screams art deco, which checks out since it was built in 1932. It is a part of the larger development of Rockefeller Center and was originally supposed to be an opera house. Boringggggg.
We have this lovely lineup of people to thank for this behemoth of design:
Exterior designed by architect Edward Durell Stone (who also co-designed MoMA)
Interior design by Donald Deskey (he really put the team on his back with this one)
and Samuel Lionel Rothafel, a leading expert on movie palaces, as a primary advisor
What I find fascinating is that this place opened in the thick of the Great Depression. It seems a lil wild that such an extravagant place would be made in such contrasting circumstances. The mission behind this project was for people “to find comfort and encouragement in the power of high-quality music and performance.” They never charged super high for admission and they were pretty successful for quite some time. In the late 70s, however, the theater started to struggle financially. The owners were considering selling it to be converted into OFFICE SPACE. Could you imagine a bigger crime than that??? There was a big effort to save it and luckily they did!
A costumed Rosemary Novellino, captain of the Radio City Music Hall Ballet Company and president of The Showpeople’s Committee to Save Radio City Music Hall, collecting signatures on a petition to preserve the historic Hall in 1978
This place has been home to many showstopping performances, but the Rockettes take the cake. This dance troupe has been performing here since the 1930s and they’ve been upping their game year after year. I had the honor of going to see them for the first time last year and wow. I went into it thinking “okay, it's like a bunch of ladies dancing in christmas outfits, what’s the big deal?” When I was handed 3D glasses upon entry, I knew I was about to lock the fuck in. My jaw was on the floor for the entirety of the show, I cannot recommend it enough.
Like I said previously, this Donald Desky guy put the team on his back. Not only is this theater absolutely gorgeous, it’s also the best of the best. The Beyonce of theaters, if you will. It is considered one of the most advanced stages in the world. There are three hydraulically-powered stage risers, an elevator riser that allows the whole orchestra section to shift up or down, and a turntable that provides the flexibility of making quick scene changes. AND it has the world's largest stage curtain. The list probably goes on. She really is THAT girl!!!
the powder room outside the women’s restroom
Also the bathrooms are fuckin sick. They have lounges outside of the actual bathroom space that could be their own Building of the Week installment. Also, I guess there’s a secret apartment above the stage?? Like, okay??
John Mulaney shot one of his specials here & had a very iconic stage set up. Here’s what he has to say about the theater : (link)
Fun Facts
The interior was designated as an official New York City landmark during it’s little financial troubles in the late 70s. The landmark status created a lot of restrictions which made it harder to convert to office space.
The intersection in front of this place is one of the most confusing in New York city. Idk, I don’t really want to elaborate but you’re always on the wrong side of the street somehow.
The name “Radio City Music Hall” comes from the Radio Corporation of America which had their headquarters at Rockefeller Center
photo credits: the lovely Madi Hall
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i also did not know this theater was that BIG!
slayyyyyyy go off queen!