Reopened after an extensive restoration on October 4, 1999, the Music Hall now reflects its original grandeur of opening night, 1932, sporting behind-the-scenes upgrades and refurbishment. Following the lead of Radio City's experienced tour guides, explore the beautiful art-deco interiors, learn the secrets of the Great Stage, one of the largest indoor performance stages in the world; the stage's hydraulic system, still in operation since the '30s; And as an exciting climax to the Stage Door Tour, guests will meet one of the world-famous Radio City Rockettes.

Video cameras and mobile phones are not permitted on the tour.

Hours:

Monday through Sunday:
11:00am - 3:00pm

Prices:

$17 regular
$14 for senior citizens
$10 for children 12 years & under

Daily Tour tickets are sold at the Radio City Avenue Store. Advanced Tour tickets for future dates are sold through Ticketmaster and the Box Office only.

Order Online:

Click Here

Order by Phone:

Call 212.307.7171
Groups of 20 or more call 212 465-6100 or email Group Sales

The Radio City "Stage Door Tour" is a one hour, walking tour of the interior of Radio City Music Hall that departs from the Music Hall lobby. Radio City Music Hall is located in the heart of Rockefeller Center at 1260 Avenue of the Americas - 6th Ave and 50th Street. Tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis, depending on availability. Tour content and prices are subject to change without notice.

When an event is in progress there may be limited access to the seating area inside the Music Hall as well as the Hydraulics area. Furthermore, tours may only be able to view the Auditorium from a private viewing area.

Highlights of the "Stage Door Tour"

The Great Stage

Peter Clark designed the Great Stage at Radio City Music Hall to be the most innovative and technically advanced stage in the world, and throughout the theatre's history it has proven to be just that.

The stage measures 66 1/2 feet deep and a full city block wide (144 feet). A variety of special effects can be created on it, including dense fog and rain, but perhaps the most impressive element is its elevator system. The stage has four elevators, each capable of being lowered 27 feet in the basement or raised 13 feet above the level of the stage. The elevators are run by a hydraulic system that was so ingenious the United States Navy came to the Music Hall to study and borrow the design for use on their WWII aircraft carriers. So "Top Secret" was our hydraulic system, the government felt it necessary to have a special agent watch over our basement during the war years. During the Christmas Spectacular, the elevator system adds to the audience's delight as the Radio City Orchestra appears in front of the stage, disappears under the stage only to reappear high up in the back of the stage!

Art Deco Design

An independent named Donald Deskey decided to compete for the work. According to Deskey, Roxy Rothafel, the Music Hall's producer, wanted to decorate the Music Hall in the opulent "Rococo" style typical of large motion-picture theaters of the time. Deskey invested $5,000 in a spectacular presentation of the new Art Deco style that utilized glass, aluminum, chrome and geometric ornamentation, promising a modern theatre, unlike any other in New York. Deskey won the competition and was awarded the mammoth project of designing every public area in the Music Hall, including thirty lobby areas, smoking rooms, retiring rooms, foyers and lounges. He created a theatre that was unique in 1932 and remains unique-and spectacular-today!

The Wurlitzer Organ

It is a traditional part of the Music Hall's many stage productions. The organ has two independently working consoles, one on each side of the stage. The pipes are housed in 11 different rooms on both sides of the building. In additional chambers, attached to the pipes, is a full set of percussion instruments: chimes, drums, woodblocks and even a concert piano. The organist, from his console, can play these instruments and actually create the sound of a full orchestra.

Samuel Lionel "Roxy" Rothafel

Samuel Lionel Rothafel was also known to his friends as "Roxy." Roxy was, during the 1930s, the premier expert on theater design.

Roxy's original concept for the auditorium in the Music Hall is said to have come to him in a "vision." Before construction was to begin at Radio City, he traveled to Europe to study the designs of some of the world's great theaters. Disappointed in what he found, Roxy tells the story of watching the sun set over the water during his return trip on an ocean liner. Inspired by its beauty, he decided that this was the look he wanted for his showplace. Hence, the stage and surrounding coves were designed to resemble a setting sun sinking into an ocean of red velvet seats.

Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Center is a 19-building complex between 47th and 52nd Streets, from Fifth Avenue to midway between the Avenue of the Americas and Seventh Avenue. It is one of New York's biggest attractions. In 1928, John D. Rockefeller Jr. leased this land from Columbia University, planning to build a new opera house. These plans fell through with the great stock market crash of 1929.

He soon decided to build a "City Within a City" based on the theme of human optimism and progress as a beacon of hope in the midst of the Depression and an emblem of the progress of man.

One of the first and largest tenants of the new complex was the Radio Corporation of America (RCA), and the center soon took the nickname "Radio City." Not long afterwards, the Music Hall in Rockefeller Center became known as Radio City Music Hall, perhaps the most famous and popular part of Rockefeller Center.

Today, Rockefeller Center is a thriving complex of businesses and retail establishments with 49 shops, 28 restaurants, 1.4 million square feet of office space, NBC Studios, 1 skating rink, and home of the Prometheus Statue and the world's largest decorated Christmas tree. And in 1998, Rockefeller Center became the home of the Christie's Auction House.

Radio City Avenue Store

It features exclusive Radio City Entertainment merchandise including signature Rockette products, collectible snowglobes and ornaments and plush characters and wearables from MSGE produced shows.

Store Hours:
Monday - Sunday: Open at 10:30 a.m.

Phone:
212 485-7149

Credit Cards:
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover Card, Diners Club