- The actor penned a letter asking the venue to stop using animal actors
- He claimed the animals were kept in cruel conditions and exposed to “loud noises and confusing lights.”
- A spokesperson denied the claims, calling Baldwin “false assumptions.”
Actor Alec Baldwin penned a scathing letter denouncing the use of live animals at Radio City Music Hall's legendary Christmas show.
On Thursday, Golden Globe winner and animal rights group PETA wrote to James L. Dolan, CEO of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corporation (MSG), the venue's owner.
“Nothing is more magical than visiting New York City during the holidays when people come from all over the world to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular,” Baldwin wrote.
“But as someone who cares deeply about animals, I was disappointed to learn that the show not only features stunning human actors like the Rockettes, but also camels, sheep and donkeys who are forced to participate to take part in the nativity scene.”
The actor, who has worked with PETA for over thirty years, expressed concern about the camels and goats being “exposed to loud noises and confusing lights.”
Thursday's letter called on MSG to reinvent the show without the use of animals, like other successful productions
The animals are part of a “living nativity scene” shown every year, but the actor and PETA claim they are kept in cruel conditions
Baldwin claimed that the group sourced its animal actors from Dawn Animal Agency – a claim that was immediately denied by a spokesperson for MSG Entertainment
Alex Baldwin wrote a scathing letter to Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corporation calling on them to stop using live animals on Radio City's annual Christmas show
The letter further encouraged MSG to reinvent the show and make it cruelty-free.
That evening, a group of PETA activists dressed in elf costumes and carrying wheelbarrows full of coal stood outside the music hall.
Some held signs reading “Radio City: Stop Animal Testing!”
Baldwin specifically pointed the finger at Dawn Animal Agency, claiming that MSG was working with a group that “is frequently cited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for violating federal law by denying animals even basic necessities.”
However, a spokesperson for MSG Entertainment denied that the company provides the animals used in the show.
'Mister. Baldwin is wrong in his assumptions,” the representative said. “The safety of the animals in the popular “living nativity scene” is always our priority.
“Their wellbeing is vital and they will receive exceptional care around the clock during the show’s limited run.”
Since its opening in 1933, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular has been performed to an audience of more than 70 million people.
The show features a live nativity scene and 90 minutes of dance.
On Thursday evening, PETA protesters dressed in elf costumes and carrying wheelbarrows full of coal stood outside Radio City Music Hall
Baldwin has worked with the animal protection group for over 30 years
The Christmas spectacle is a tradition that dates back to 1933 and has evolved over time to also include a drone light show
This year marks the second debut of the Dance of the Frost Fairies, a number that features drones flying above the audience.
Last month, the 10th Archbishop of New York stood outside the music hall to bless the animals before their first performance on November 17th.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan braved blustery 30 degrees and sprinkled the four-legged artists with holy water. Present were a camel named Humphrey and a sheep named Phil, as well as several Rockettes.
Dolan even led a prayer with the group.
“Lord, we need a little Christmas.” Whatever faith we have, even if we don’t have it, our hearts long for warmth, love, peace and reconciliation. “Christmas can bring that and do we ever need it?” he said.