YULE BE BUMMED
Radio City show KO'd
This year’s “Christmas Spectacular,” starring leggy dance troupe the Radio City Rockettes, is being canceled for the first time since the show was introduced in 1933.
MSG Entertainment, which owns Radio City Music Hall, made the decision to close the curtain on the popular show amid ongoing uncertainty tied to the coronavirus pandemic.
The performance, known for iconic dance numbers like “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” and the “12 Days of Christmas,” had been slated to run from Nov. 6 to Jan. 3 this holiday season.
The events company, which also owns Madison Square Garden, also announced plans to lay off 350 people — about one-third of its corporate workforce — as the pandemic continues to squeeze venues that rely on live performances.
Its sister company, MSG Sports, which owns the Knicks and Rangers, is cutting 50 jobs — or about 15 percent of its corporate staff.
“This was a difficult decision for both companies, as we know that our success rests on the strength of our people, who consistently set the industry standard for excellence and professionalism,” said a rep for MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports.
“While we believe this is a necessary step to protect the long-term future of our businesses, we continue to actively pursue solutions that will allow us to safely reopen our doors so we’re able to bring as many employees back as quickly as we can, once a return date for live events is established.”
Laid-off employees will get severance and benefits packages and outplacement support, the company said.
The two companies — run by James Dolan — have been hit hard by the pandemic, which has shuttered live events and sports in the Big Apple since mid-March.
The recent return of sports, including the NBA and NHL, however, has helped buffer layoffs at MSG Sports, sources said.