Radio City Music Hall - wikipedia Radio City Music Hall This article contains content that is written like an advertisement. Please help improve it by removing promotional content and inappropriate external links, and by adding encyclopedic content written from a neutral point of view. ( June 2017 ) Radio City Music Hall Location 1260 Avenue of the Americas ( Sixth Avenue ), Manhattan, New York City 40 ° 45 ′ 35 '' N 73 ° 58 ′ 45 '' W ﻿ / ﻿ 40.75972 ° N 73.97917 ° W ﻿ / 40.75972 ; - 73.97917 Owner Tishman Speyer Properties ( operated by The Madison Square Garden Company ) Type Indoor theatre Seating type Reserved Capacity 6,015 Radio City Music Hall U.S. National Register of Historic Places Show map of Manhattan Show map of New York Show map of the US Show all Area 2 acres ( 0.8 ha ) Built 1932 Architect Edward Durell Stone Donald Deskey Architectural style Art Deco Part of Rockefeller Center ( # 87002591 ) NRHP reference # 78001880 Added to NRHP May 8, 1978 Opened December 27, 1932 Radio City Music Hall is an entertainment venue located in Rockefeller Center in New York City. Nicknamed the Showplace of the Nation, it was for a time the leading tourist destination in the city. Its interior was declared a city landmark in 1978, and the venue is notable as the headquarters for the precision dance company, the Rockettes. Contents 1 History 2 Design 2.1 Art 3 Usage 3.1 Concerts 3.2 Christmas show 3.3 Cirque du Soleil : Zarkana 3.4 Television 3.5 America 's Got Talent 3.6 Sports 4 Controversy 5 Gallery 6 References 7 External links History This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( December 2015 ) The 12 - acre ( 4.9 ha ) complex in Midtown Manhattan known as Rockefeller Center was developed between 1929 and 1940 by John D. Rockefeller, Jr., on land leased from Columbia University. The Radio City Music Hall was designed by architect Edward Durell Stone and interior designer Donald Deskey in the Art Deco style. Its originally planned name was International Music Hall. The names `` Radio City '' and `` Radio City Music Hall '' derive from one of the complex 's first tenants, the Radio Corporation of America ( RCA ). Radio City Music Hall was a project of Rockefeller ; Samuel Roxy Rothafel, who previously opened the Roxy Theatre in 1927 ; and RCA chairman David Sarnoff. RCA had developed numerous studios for NBC at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, just to the south of the Music Hall, and the radio - TV complex that lent the Music Hall its name is still known as the NBC Radio City Studios. The Music Hall opened to the public on December 27, 1932 with a lavish stage show featuring Ray Bolger, Doc Rockwell and Martha Graham. The opening was meant to be a return to high - class variety entertainment. However, the new format was not a success. The program was very long, and individual acts were lost in the cavernous hall. On January 11, 1933, the Music Hall converted to the then - familiar format of a feature film, with a spectacular stage show perfected by Rothafel at the Roxy Theatre in New York City. The first film shown on the giant screen was Frank Capra 's The Bitter Tea of General Yen, starring Barbara Stanwyck, and the Music Hall became the premiere showcase for films from the RKO - Radio Studio. The film - plus - stage - spectacle format continued at the Music Hall until 1979, with four complete performances presented every day. By the 1970s, changes in film distribution made it difficult for Radio City to secure exclusive bookings of many films ; furthermore, the theatre preferred to show only G - rated movies, which further limited their film choices as the decade wore on. On January 5, 1978, Alton Marshall, president of Rockefeller Center, announced that due to a projected loss of $3.5 million for the upcoming year Radio City Music Hall would close its doors on April 12. Plans for alternate uses for the structure included converting the theater into tennis courts, a shopping mall, or the American Stock Exchange. Upon hearing the announcement, Rosemary Novellino, Dance Captain of the Radio City Music Hall Ballet Company, motivated a group of dedicated colleagues and friends to form The Showpeople 's Committee to Save Radio City Music Hall. Joining forces with the media and political allies, including New York Lt. Gov. Mary Anne Krupsak, they challenged the Rockefeller establishment, against all odds, to save `` The Showplace of the Nation ''. A monologue by Johnny Carson on the Tonight Show, an irate commentary on Saturday Night Live 's `` Weekend Update '' given by John Belushi, local news, `` The Today Show '', and perhaps most importantly, an appearance by Showpeople 's Committee members Rosemary Novellino and Ron Hokuff on `` The Tomorrow Show '' with Tom Snyder mobilized love for the Music Hall nationally. On March 28, 1978 New York City 's Landmarks Preservation Commission designated the interior of Radio City Music Hall a landmark guaranteeing that the building would remain a theatre. On May 12, 1978, Radio City Music Hall was placed on The National Register of Historic Places. Regular film showings at Radio City ended in 1979 l. In 1980, after a renovation, it reopened to the public. Radio City Music Hall is currently leased to and managed by The Madison Square Garden Company. Movie premieres and feature runs have occasionally taken place there such as the Harry Potter film series, but the focus of the theater throughout the year is now on concerts and live stage shows, and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular continues to be an important annual event ( see below ). The Music Hall has presented most of the leading pop and rock performers of the last 30 years, as well as televised events including the Grammy Awards, the Tony Awards, the Daytime Emmy Awards, the MTV Video Music Awards, and the NFL Draft. Starting in 2013, however, the Tony Awards will be the only major televised awards ceremony at Radio City, as the Video Music Awards relocated permanently to the Barclays Center that year. ( The Grammys, which alternated between New York City and Hollywood, has been held since 2004 in Los Angeles, as have the Daytime Emmys, off and on, since 2006. ) Design Radio City has 5,933 seats for spectators, and additional seating can be placed on the pit elevator during events that do not require that space bringing the seating capacity to over 6,000. Designed by Edward Durell Stone, the interior of the theater with its austere Art Deco lines represented a break with the traditional ornate rococo ornament associated with movie palaces at the time. The radiating arches of the proscenium united the large auditorium, allowing a sense of intimacy as well as grandeur. The interior decor was created by designer Donald Deskey. Deskey 's geometric Art Deco designs incorporate glass, aluminum, chrome, and leather in the ornament for the theater 's wall coverings, carpet, light fixtures, and furniture. He commissioned textile designers Marguerita Mergentime and Ruth Reeves to create carpet designs and designs for the fabrics covering the walls. The Great Stage, designed by Peter Clark, measures 66.5 by 144 ft ( 20.3 by 43.9 m ), and resembles a setting sun. Its system of elevators was so advanced that the U.S. Navy incorporated identical hydraulics in constructing World War II aircraft carriers ; according to Radio City lore, during the war, government agents guarded the basement to assure the Navy 's technological advantage. This elevator system was also designed by Peter Clark, and was built by Otis Elevators. Art `` Goose Girl '', by sculptor Robert Laurent The public areas of the Music Hall feature the work of many depression era artists. The large mural in the grand foyer is entitled `` Fountain of Youth '' and was painted by Ezra Winter. The murals on the wall of the grand lounge are collectively known as the `` Phantasmagoria of the Theater '' by Louis Bouche. Three female nudes cast in aluminum were commissioned for the music hall, however Roxy Rothafel thought that they were inappropriate for a family venue. Although the Rockefellers loved the sculptures, the only one that was displayed on opening night was `` Goose Girl '' by Robert Laurent, which is currently on the first mezzanine. Since opening night the other two sculptures have been put on display at the music hall, `` Eve '' by Gwen Lux is currently displayed in the southwest corner of the grand foyer, and `` Spirit of the Dance '' by William Zorach is currently on display in the Grand lounge. Each of the Public restrooms have adjoining lounges that display various works of art. Stuart Davis, Witold Gordon, Edward `` Buk '' Ulrich, Henry Billings and Donald Deskey all have art displayed in these lounges. Georgia O'Keeffe was asked to paint a mural for the second mezzanine lady 's lounge, however she never completed the mural. The reason for her withdrawal is subject to debate. Usage Concerts American new wave band Devo performed at Radio City Music Hall on October 31, 1981 during their New Traditionalists tour. According to an interview with band member Gerald Casale, at the beginning of the show, the crowd could see nothing but the venue 's empty stage with the backing track of the `` NuTra Theme '' playing. Then, the full `` Aztec temple with treadmills '' stage `` rose out of the basement like an aircraft carrier ''. Christmas show Main article : Radio City Christmas Spectacular The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is an annual Christmas stage musical produced by MSG Entertainment, which operates the Music Hall. A New York Christmas tradition since 1933, it features the women 's precision dance team known as The Rockettes. Additional companies of Rockettes also tour every holiday season, bringing the show to theaters around the country. In addition, the program features appearances of Santa Claus. Cirque du Soleil : Zarkana Main article : Zarkana The Radio City Music Hall also hosted the Cirque du Soleil show `` Zarkana ''. It stopped playing on September 2, 2012 in order to prepare for the 2012 Christmas Spectacular. Television In November 1988, the theater played host to two weeks of Wheel of Fortune, which was taking its first road trip. Saturday Night Live announcer Don Pardo announced during the two weeks. The Mighty Wurlitzer organ ( see above ) was used to play the show 's theme song, `` Changing Keys '', throughout each episode, except at the end. It played host to the show again in November 2003 for the nighttime show 's 4,000 th episode, and again in November 2007 for the nighttime show 's 25th anniversary. In March 1994, the Lyons Group ( parent company of Barney & Friends at the time ), taped a live stage show, called Barney Live in New York City at the theater. It was released on home video in August of the same year, and was aired on various PBS stations throughout the country during 1994 's Summer and Holiday pledge drives. It was the largest Barney & Friends stage show of its time. In October 2001, the concert Come Together : A Night for John Lennon 's Words and Music was simulcast live from the theater on The WB and TNT. The theater was also the site for Jeopardy ! 's 4,000 th episode as well as for its Million Dollar Masters invitational tournament in May 2002. It was used again in November 2006 for a 2 - week Celebrity Jeopardy ! event. America 's Got talent In 2013 - 2015, the NBC summer reality television talent show America 's Got Talent broadcast the lives rounds of its competition from the stage of the Music Hall. It was announced that the move to Radio City Music Hall was because of Howard Stern, who wanted the live shows to take place in New York City. Sports The set for the 2010 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall The WNBA 's New York Liberty played six home games while their regular home, Madison Square Garden, prepared to host the 2004 Republican National Convention. The Liberty played their first game in front of 5,945 fans against the Detroit Shock in July 2004. Courtside seats were stage left and stage right along the baseline and the Rockettes performed at half - time. These games marked the first time Radio City had hosted a professional sporting event since the Roy Jones Jr. boxing match held in 1999. Radio City Music Hall was the site of the NFL Draft between 2006 and 2014. Controversy In 2017, the Music Hall 's dance troupe the Rockettes faced some controversy when it was announced they would perform at the inauguration of Donald Trump as President of the United States. The announcement prompted calls on social media for boycotts of both the Rockettes and Radio City. Gallery Auditorium and stage Auditorium and balconies Grand Foyer VIP room ( `` The Roxy Suite '' ) Marquee ( January 2008 ) during the time of the Christmas Spectacular Lobby sculpture Hydraulics pit beneath the Great Stage Underside of the Great Stage The backstage control room The elevator hydraulics controls The Grand Foyer decorated with Christmas decorations for the Christmas Spectacular References Notes Jump up ^ `` Rockefeller Center ''. Tishman Speyer Properties. Retrieved 21 November 2009. Jump up ^ National Park Service ( 2010 - 07 - 09 ). `` National Register Information System ''. National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. Jump up ^ `` World 's Largest Theater In Rockefeller Center Will Seat Six Thousand ''. Popular Mechanics : 252. August 1932. Retrieved 6 August 2012. Jump up ^ Gelmis, Joseph ( 31 August 1970 ). `` xhibitionists and the Games They Play ''. New York Magazine. p. 56. Retrieved 18 January 2013. Jump up ^ M. A Farber ( January 5, 1978 ). `` Radio City Music Hall to Close After. Easter Show, Koch Is Told ''. The New York Times. p. A1. Jump up ^ Schumach, Murry ( January 8, 1978 ). `` Nostalgia Draws Music Hall Crowds Despite Cold ''. The New York Times. pp. Page 29. Jump up ^ Grantz, Roberta B. Grantz & Cook, Joy ( March 14, 1978 ). `` Music Hall : Krupsak blames regime for woes ''. New York Post. p. 8. Lt. Gov. Mary Ann Krupsak, leading the fight to save Radio City Music Hall, said today she was `` convinced there has been a policy by Rockefeller Center to let Radio City Music Hall go downhill. '' She said a study showed that the management over the past 10 years had stacked the deck against the theater, placing a `` disproportionate tax burden, management costs and other expenses '' on the 6500 - seat theater to show it no longer was economically viable as a movie house. CS1 maint : Multiple names : authors list ( link ) Jump up ^ McDowell, Edwin ( March 29, 1978 ). `` Interior of Music Hall Designated As Landmark Despite Objections ''. The New York Times. p. 3. Jump up ^ `` Radio City In National Register ''. New York Times. May 13, 1978. p. 26. Jump up ^ Lueck, Thomas J. ( December 4, 1997 ). `` Lease of Radio City Music Hall Keeps Rockettes Kicking ''. The New York Times. Retrieved 21 November 2009. Jump up ^ `` The art of Rockefeller Center / Christine Roussel. -- Version details ''. Trove. Retrieved January 1, 2017. Jump up ^ Rendell Storey, Walter ( December 25, 1932 ). `` Modern Decorations on a Grand Scale '' -- via The New York Times. Jump up ^ `` Secrets of the Magic Theater ''. Popular Mechanics : 27. January 1941. Retrieved 6 August 2012. Jump up ^ Boland Jr., Ed ( 18 August 2002 ). `` F.Y.I. ''. The New York Times. Retrieved 18 March 2012. ^ Jump up to : Poulin, Richard ( 2012 - 11 - 01 ). Graphic Design And Architecture, A 20th Century History. Rockport. p. 97. ISBN 1592537790. Jump up ^ Dunphy, Mike ( 2014 - 11 - 17 ). `` The Art of Rockefeller Center : Top 10 Things Not to Miss ''. Retrieved 2015 - 11 - 15. Jump up ^ Leonard, Gayle ( 2009 - 06 - 13 ). `` Go in Style : 2009 Finalists for Best Public Restroom ''. Thirsty in Suburbia. Retrieved 2015 - 11 - 15. Jump up ^ Marshall, Colin ( 2013 - 09 - 23 ). `` Frida Kahlo Writes a Personal Letter to Georgia O'Keeffe After O'Keeffe's Nervous Breakdown ''. Open Culture. Retrieved 2015 - 11 - 15. Jump up ^ http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/devo/1981/radio-city-music-hall-new-york-ny-4bd2534a.html Jump up ^ https://twitter.com/DEVO/status/793036556638584833 Jump up ^ https://www.facebook.com/ClubDEVO/posts/10152035312779136 Jump up ^ http://huboon.com/devo811031.html Jump up ^ Lena Williams ( 25 July 2004 ). `` PRO BASKETBALL ; Liberty Opens Big on Its Home, Er, Stage ''. The New York Times. Retrieved 10 November 2011. Jump up ^ Kennedy, Mark ( December 23, 2016 ). `` Backlash kicked up as the Rockettes picked for inauguration ''. FOX 28 News. Associated Press. Retrieved January 10, 2016... The Radio City Rockettes will be dancing at President - elect Donald Trump 's inauguration next month but not everyone is kicking up their heels... Jump up ^ Associated Press ( January 3, 2017 ). `` Audio reveals Radio City Rockettes ' tension over Trump inauguration : Some members of the dance group differ from their employer over performing for the president - elect ''. Portland Press Herald. Retrieved January 10, 2017. Jump up ^ Teodorczuk, Tom ( December 29, 2016 ). `` Rockettes Facing ' Furious ' Liberal Boycott For Performing at Trump Inauguration ''. Heat Street. Retrieved January 12, 2017. Further reading Francisco, Charles. An Affectionate History of the World 's Greatest Theatre, with special color photography by James Stewart Morcom and Vito Torelli, New York : Dutton, 1979. ISBN 0 - 525 - 18792 - 8. Okrent, Daniel. Great Fortune : The Epic of Rockefeller Center, New York : Viking Press, 2003. Roussel, Christine. The Art of Rockefeller Center, New York : W.W. Norton & Company, 2006. Novellino - Mearns, Rosemary. Saving Radio City Music Hall -- A Dancer 's True Story, TurningPointPress LLC, 2015. ISBN 978 - 0 - 9908556 - 1 - 3. External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Radio City Music Hall. Official website Radio City Music Hall at Cinema Treasures World 's Largest Movie Theatre History and photos History of Radio City Music Hall `` World 's Biggest Stage Is a Marvel Of Mechanics '', February 1933, Popular Science article on major work on Radio City Hall in the early 1930s `` World 's Largest Theater in Rockefeller Center Will Seat Six Thousand Persons '' Popular Mechanics, August 1932 Radio City Music Hall collection of the papers of James Stewart Morcom and John William Keck, 1926 - 1994, held by the Billy Rose Theatre Division, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts Radio City Music Hall collection of the designs of James Stewart Morcom and John William Keck, 1933 - 1979, held by the Billy Rose Theatre Division, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts Preceded by Jacob K. Javits Convention Center Venues of the NFL Draft 2006 - 2014 Succeeded by Auditorium Theatre Links to related articles Venues of the Grammy Award ceremonies The Beverly Hilton ( 1959 ; 1965 ) Hollywood Palladium ( 1971, 1974, 1976 - 1977 ) Felt Forum ( 1972 ) Madison Square Garden ( 1972, 1997, 2003, 2018 ) Tennessee Theatre ( 1973 ) Uris Theatre ( 1975 ) Shrine Auditorium ( 1978 -- 1980, 1982 -- 1987, 1989 - 1990, 1992 - 1993, 1995 - 1996, 1999 ) Radio City Music Hall ( 1981, 1988, 1991, 1994, 1998 ) Staples Center ( 2000 -- 2002, 2004 - 2017 ) Venues of the Tony Awards ceremonies Waldorf - Astoria Hotel ( 1947 -- 53, 1957 -- 59, 1961 -- 62 ) Plaza Hotel ( 1954 -- 56 ) Astor Hotel ( 1960, 1965 ) Hotel Americana ( 1963 ) New York Hilton ( 1964 ) Rockefeller Center Rainbow Room ( 1966 ) Shubert Theatre ( 1967 -- 68, 1974, 1976 -- 79, 1985 ) Mark Hellinger Theatre ( 1969 -- 70, 1980 -- 81, 1987 ) Palace Theatre ( 1971 ) Broadway Theatre ( 1972 ) Imperial Theatre ( 1973, 1982 ) Winter Garden Theatre ( 1975 ) Gershwin Theatre ( 1983 -- 84, 1992 -- 94, 1999 ) Minskoff Theatre ( 1986, 1988, 1991, 1995 ) Lunt - Fontanne Theatre ( 1989 -- 90 ) Majestic Theatre ( 1996 ) Radio City Music Hall ( 1997 -- 98, 2000 -- 10, 2013 -- 15, 2017 ) Beacon Theatre ( 2011 -- 12, 2016 ) The Madison Square Garden Company Founded in 2010 Teams New York Rangers ( NHL ) New York Knicks ( NBA ) New York Liberty ( WNBA ) Hartford Wolf Pack ( AHL ) Westchester Knicks ( NBA G League ) Venues Madison Square Garden The Theater The Forum Chicago Theatre Radio City Music Hall ( operator ) Beacon Theatre ( operator ) People James L. Dolan Other Holdings / Brands MSG MSG Western New York MSG Plus themadisonsquaregardencompany.com § Joint venture with Pegula Sports and Entertainment U.S. National Register of Historic Places in New York Topics Contributing property Keeper of the Register Historic district History of the National Register of Historic Places National Park Service Property types Lists by county Albany Allegany Bronx Broome Cattaraugus Cayuga Chautauqua Chemung Chenango Clinton Columbia Cortland Delaware Dutchess Erie Essex Franklin Fulton Genesee Greene Hamilton Herkimer Jefferson Kings ( Brooklyn ) Lewis Livingston Madison Monroe Montgomery Nassau New York ( Manhattan ) Niagara Oneida Onondaga Ontario Orange Orleans Oswego Otsego Putnam Queens Rensselaer Richmond ( Staten Island ) Rockland Saratoga Schenectady Schoharie Schuyler Seneca St. Lawrence Steuben Suffolk Sullivan Tioga Tompkins Ulster Warren Washington Wayne Westchester Northern Southern Wyoming Yates Lists by city Albany Buffalo New Rochelle New York City Bronx Brooklyn Queens Staten Island Manhattan Below 14th St. 14th -- 59th St. 59th -- 110th St. Above 110th St. Minor islands Niagara Falls Peekskill Poughkeepsie Rhinebeck Rochester Syracuse Yonkers Other lists Bridges and tunnels National Historic Landmarks Category : National Register of Historic Places in New York ( state ) Portal : National Register of Historic Places New York Liberty Founded in 1997 Based in New York, New York Franchise Franchise Current season Arenas Madison Square Garden Radio City Music Hall Prudential Center Head coaches Nancy Darsch Richie Adubato Pat Coyle Anne Donovan John Whisenant Bill Laimbeer Administration Owner The Madison Square Garden Company General Managers Carol Blazejowski John Whisenant Bill Laimbeer Kristin Bernert All - Stars Essence Carson Swin Cash Tina Charles Shameka Christon Becky Hammon Kym Hampton Vickie Johnson Rebecca Lobo Tari Phillips Cappie Pondexter Ann Wauters Teresa Weatherspoon Sue Wicks Sophia Witherspoon Seasons 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Playoff appearances 1997 1999 2000 2001 2002 2005 2007 2008 2011 2012 2015 2016 2017 Conference Championships 1997 1999 2000 2002 Rivals Connecticut Sun Detroit Shock Houston Comets Indiana Fever Los Angeles Sparks Media TV : MSG Network ( MSG ) MSG Plus ( MSG+ ) Announcers : Kenny Albert Mike Crispino Mary Murphy New York City portal Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Radio_City_Music_Hall&oldid=799712005 '' Categories : Art Deco architecture in New York City Madison Square Garden Company Concert halls in New York City Edward Durell Stone buildings Movie palaces Music venues in Manhattan New York City nightlife New York Liberty venues Radio City Music Hall Rockefeller Center Theatres completed in 1932 Theatres in Manhattan Theatres on the National Register of Historic Places in Manhattan Music venues completed in 1932 Sixth Avenue ( Manhattan ) Midtown Manhattan Hidden categories : CS1 maint : Multiple names : authors list Articles with a promotional tone from June 2017 All articles with a promotional tone Articles needing additional references from December 2015 All articles needing additional references All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from January 2017 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Dansk Deutsch Español Euskara فارسی Français 한국어 Հայերեն Bahasa Indonesia Italiano עברית Magyar Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk Português Русский Slovenčina Suomi Svenska Türkçe 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 9 September 2017, at 11 : 25. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: what part of new york is radio city music hall in
Answer: Manhattan