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The Rockettes to Star in HEART AND LIGHTS Limited Engagement at Radio City Music Hall; Previews to Begin March 27, 2014

By: Sep. 18, 2013
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MSG Entertainment (MSGE) announces the launch of a brand new, New York City themed, live theatrical production at Radio City Music Hall, entitled Heart and Lights, which stars The Rockettes in a way that audiences have never seen them before. The limited five week engagement begins previews March 27, 2014 and opens April 3 through May 4, 2014. Heart and Lights celebrates the vibrant, infectious energy of New York City as seen through the eyes of two cousins, who discover their grandmother's surprising past by uncovering the secrets of the city she loved. Tickets go on-sale October 10, 2013.

"We are thrilled to present Heart and Lights, an unparalleled new theatrical production for all ages that will share both the excitement and affection people feel about New York City from iconic places to the experiences and memories," said Melissa Ormond, president, MSG Entertainment. "Through the exceptional vision of Linda Haberman alongside our talented creative and production teams, the scope and scale of this production will push artistic boundaries like never before with state-of-the-art technology, breathtaking puppetry and awe-inspiring scenes. Audiences will also see The Rockettes extraordinary talents and athleticism in some of their most challenging choreography to date."

This 90-minute show, written by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Doug Wright features a heartwarming journey through New York City, thread through eight production numbers of dynamically different Rockettes choreography, dazzling costumes and innovative technology including 3D effects, elaborate animatronics and GPS elements. Heart and Lights is set to an unforgettable soundtrack of original music coupled with songs by some of the most influential musical artists of the past 50 years. The production presents groundbreaking technology that will immerse audiences in the magic of live theater in a way only Radio City can deliver.

"I have lived in New York City for more than 40 years and Heart and Lights is a love letter to this great city," said Linda Haberman, director and choreographer of Heart and Lights and The Rockettes. "This production has been more than five years in the making. Our goal is to capture the energy and passion of New York and put it on the Great Stage of Radio City. The Rockettes shine in their starring role, showcasing dynamic choreography that combines jazz, ballet, modern dance and rhythmic tap, but still retains their signature precision technique. Heart and Lights will articulate The Rockettes' unparalleled artistic range as a Dance Company."

Heart and Lights shares the adventure of two cousins as they uncover their grandmother's early life in New York City and takes audiences on a propelling venture "down the rabbit-hole" in the Big Apple. Starting their journey on an underground 3D subway ride, New York City comes to life in unexpected ways. From the downtown fashion hot spot, the Meatpacking District, to the steps of The New York Public Library, which features a pair of life-like talking lions, Radio City transforms New York right before your very eyes. From Grand Central Station to the lush fields of Central Park, digital mapping extends into the theater, transforming Radio City and surrounding the audience. In the Central Park scene, digital mapping is coupled with the use of inventive GPS technology, allowing the creation of a magical kite flying spectacle, with GPS trackers guiding the kites as they dart and soar above the audience. Even the Statue of Liberty makes an appearance, brought to life as a 26-foot tall state-of-the-art animatronic character.

Each of the seven scenes that star The Rockettes captures both the vibrancy and pulse of New York City. Each number illustrates the power and teamwork of precision dance, making it distinctly unique to The Rockettes. The choreography breaks The Rockettes away from their quintessential kickline and presents them in a way that modernizes the Dance Company, paving the way for more groundbreaking styles of dance.

The Rockettes perform multiple dance styles to convey the feeling of different scenes such as "High Finance," which emulates the fast paced environment on Wall Street. In the scene "Electricity," The Rockettes showcase their dancing abilities as they perform on a 20-foot high steel truss with influences of Bob Fosse and Broadway, while still maintaining their choreographic uniformity. The Rockettes one-of-a-kind costuming literally jumps off the stage in "Electricity" as LED lights illuminate their suit style jackets. The LED jackets work in tandem with The Rockettes movements as well as the onstage, 40-foot LED screen, making it cutting-edge both in terms of choreography and technology. In "Walk the Walk," The Rockettes perform a modern interpretation of the iconic "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers," a featured number of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, which highlights The Rockettes masterpiece of signature precision technique.

Heart and Lights celebrates what it takes to make it in New York City. Whether one aims for the biggest stage or the brightest lights, it honors the drive and determination, the pulse and passion. Heart and Lights, all the city's our stage.

Preview performances of Heart and Lights begin March 27, 2014 at Radio City Music Hall. Opens April 3, 2014 and runs for 5 weeks only ending May 4, 2014. Prices range from $49 - $95 for previews and regular box office pricing from $49 - $149, depending on show date and time. Limited premium seating is available. Exclusive access to advance tickets for Chase Visa credit and debit cardmembers begins September 29, 2013. Presale begins October 3, 2013. Tickets go on sale to the general public on October 10, 2013. Tickets will be available online at www.HeartandLights.com, by phone via Ticketmaster at 866-858-0007, or at Radio City's Box Office (50th St. & Avenue of the Americas). Group tickets for 9+ are now on sale. For more information contact Group Sales at 212-465-6080 orgroupsales@msg.com. Box Office hours are Monday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00pm. Ticket prices include a $5.00 per ticket facility charge. Tickets purchased via Ticketmaster are subject to service charges.




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