A first look at the New Technology Elements featured in the 2018 Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes all-new digital projections from design studio, Obscura Digital; integration of 100 Intel drones. Photo by Marion Curtis/Starpix for The Radio City Rockettes.
This year’s production of The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes, presented by Chase, will have a bit of a different look when it takes the stage at Radio City Music Hall.
Intel has joined the creative team for the 2018 show, which will feature 100 Shooting Star mini drones, according to a news release. The drones will create a holiday light show over the Great Stage of Radio City. Using choreographed movements, they’ll form holiday-themed silhouettes in the new finale scene, “Christmas Lights.” Such a large scale integrated drone performance is a first for the theater and for Intel.
Intel will work alongside the finale director and director of new digital show content, Sam Buntrock, a Tony, Drama Desk, and Olivier Award-nominee, as well as globally recognized design studio, Obscura Digital.
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“We are thrilled to announce that Intel has joined our creative team. Intel’s innovative technology and unique expertise helps propel our ambitious vision into reality with the first-of-its-kind large-scale drone performance in a theatrical setting,” said Victoria Parker, executive vice president, productions, The Madison Square Garden Company, according to the release. “The addition of Intel, the leader in the drone space, to our powerhouse creative team alongside Sam and Obscura Digital, ensures that Radio City and the Christmas Spectacular will continue to push technological and artistic boundaries while maintaining the heart of the production – tradition.”
Photo by Marion Curtis/Starpix for The Radio City Rockettes.
The Christmas Spectacular runs from November 9 to January 1 and includes about 200 performances—making it the longest-running production Intel has created an indoor drone light show for.
The new finale begins at the conclusion of the “Living Nativity” scene. Fragments of light will appear as aerialists fly across the Great Stage. The Intel mini drones, representing Christmas lights, will create various images and animations synchronized to music and lighting effects. The drones’ movement and flight path will interact with Obscura’s digital projections. The Radio City Rockettes will perform to end the show.
“We are constantly exploring new venues for Intel’s drone light shows. It is an honor to partner with Radio City Music Hall to integrate Intel’s innovative technology into the iconic Christmas Spectacular,” said Natalie Cheung, general manager of Intel’s drone light shows. “We customize our light show animations for each venue, and create performances with stunning visuals powered by technology that can produce billions of color combinations. Weaving Intel drones into this classic holiday tradition is something we hope the audience remembers for a lifetime.”
