Radio City Rockettes’ ‘New York Spectacular’ on hiatus

“The New York Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes” will be taking a one-year hiatus to undergo an overhaul, The Madison Square Garden Co. announced Friday.

In a statement, MSG said: “ ‘The New York Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes’ is an exciting large-scale theatrical that celebrates New York City. In 2016, which marked the show’s second year, we made important changes to the production with the ultimate goal of creating a show that will become a perennial favorite much like the Christmas Spectacular.

“While we were successful on a number of fronts, we believe there is additional work needed on the production, which cannot be completed before the start of this year’s show. Rather than showcase a product that is not yet at its best, we have made the decision to take a one-year hiatus, and instead pursue opportunities to broaden the Rockettes brand through significant appearances across the country and internationally, including a USO tour and the 2017 Tony Awards.

“We remain committed to the production and look forward to the show’s return in 2018.”

All purchases via Ticketmaster phone and internet will be automatically refunded. All other tickets will be refunded at point of purchase, MSG said. The show was scheduled to start on June 30.

“The New York Spectacular,” which was developed as a love letter to the Big Apple, was the first major new spring show featuring the Rockettes since 1997.

But Madison Square Garden executives canceled its spring Rockettes show in 2014 before it opened. The 2015 “New York Spring Spectacular” and 2016 “Spring Spectacular” received mostly unfavorable reviews.

SEE PHOTOSRockettes' 'Christmas Spectacular' costumes

News of the hiatus follows a recent controversy involving the Rockettes in which several of the dancers voiced their displeasure about being asked to perform at President Donald Trump’s inauguration weekend festivities. Rockette Phoebe Pearl said the troupe was being forced to perform “with tears in our eyes and heavy hearts.”