When touring productions of New York City’s “Radio City Christmas Spectacular” roll into new towns each winter, they create almost as much controversy as holiday cheer, eating up audiences that might normally get their Christmas kicks from local productions of "A Christmas Carol" or "The Nutcracker" ballet.

It's ironic that a show hinged so tightly on delicate, gracefully precise ensemble dancing could also be such a juggernaut — a lanky-legged wrecking ball of mistletoe smacking against its competition.
That's why other theater companies are breathing sighs of relief that "Radio City" is leaving the Valley after this season's run — its second stop here — and returning ownership of the Christmas stage to the local guys.

Comprised of 12 scenes, most returning from the 2002 show with a few new twists, the "Radio City Christmas Spectacular" serves up slices of song and dance including holiday classics and original tunes that are just as catchy. The show is narrated by Santa himself and features an ensemble cast for assorted acting parts.

It's a bit of a surprise for Radio City newbies to learn that it isn't all Rockettes, all the time. The Rockettes’ "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" in the first act is the production's highlight, with that trademark precision dancing in brilliant display for a whimsical take on military marching.

More humbuggier critics might take issue with the "Radio City Christmas Spectacular's" choice of prerecorded music over a live band, or that its lip-syncing is more prevalent than at a Britney Spears concert (though, truthfully, it's more convincing than Spears').
The biggest downer for this "Spectacular" is for audience members who have never been to New York — for whom the Radio City brand in Arizona, like fake snow, might leave a slightly hollow aftertaste. After the Rockettes and Co. blow through "Christmas in New York," you can't help but want to book a quick flight to La Guardia.

The "Spectacular" ends in a gorgeous living Nativity, with real camels and sheep nearly upstaging the story of baby Jesus. Rightly so, director Linda Haberman decides to end the show right there in the manger, sans Rockettes finale. It creates a bit of an awkward conclusion for the otherwise bombastic show, but it's better than what could have been: audiences gasping in horror as the leggy dancers pop out of oversize jars of frankincense and myrrh for one final dance number.

Local theater companies, you've been bested once again this year. The question is: How are you going to wow us next Christmas?