Call it “The Miracle on 50th Street.”
Radio City Music Hall has been trying hard to give its precision-dance troupe, the Rockettes, something to do beyond Christmas — with little luck. In 2014, it scrapped the new “Heart and Lights” a week before its first preview. And last year’s “New York Spring Spectacular” dragged Laura Benanti, Derek Hough and the leggy ensemble into a chaotic kitsch cocktail.
But the third time’s the charm. This year’s edition, choreographed and directed by Mia Michaels (“So You Think You Can Dance”), uses most of the same building blocks but improves on them — even if the new book, about a tourist family that gets separated in New York City, is still too gushy and rah-rah. Here are five numbers that are truly spectacular.
“Wall Street”
Even Bernie Sanders might cheer as the Rockettes work their magic to the sound of “Money, Money,” surrounded by giant dollar signs and sprawling projections of stock-market tickers.
“Fashion”
When the action shifts to the Garment District, the Rockettes strut to the strains of “Vogue.” Then they walk toward the audience in a move that’s part sexy, part threatening — and totally hot.
“Finale”
Cue a medley of “New York, New York” and “One” (from “A Chorus Line”), and the Rockettes let loose with their celebrated kick line. It all sounds and looks terrific.
“Singin’ in the Rain”
No star solo this time, as the number has been reframed toward synchronized tapping. The dreamy ending is one of the few times Michaels slows things down. And it works, beautifully.
“Rockin’ the Met”
Paintings from the Metropolitan Museum suddenly come to life. Easy enough with projections, right? Sure — until the images explode out of the frames in impressively real-looking 3-D fragments.
The “New York Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes” runs through Aug. 7 at Radio City Music Hall, Sixth Avenue at 50th Street; 866-858-0008.