He's St. Nick at nite

Charles Edward Hall is Santa Claus at Radio City Music Hall

By Karen Tina Harrison | Special to amNewYork

December 24, 2007

Charles Edward Hall is Santa Claus at Radio City Music Hall (MSG Entertainment)

The Big Career Switch: From Kentucky teacher to Santa Claus

Who Pulled It Off: Charles Edward Hall, aka Santa, 862 years old

What He Does: Hall is Santa Claus in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, running through Dec. 30th. (www.radiocity.com)

What He Used To Do: Hall taught numerous subjects, including drama, to junior-high students in Paducah, Kentucky.

Why He Switched: "I loved the job because kids have a great sense of humor, and I got to perform. But I've always been an actor, even in my past lives. So I decided to make it my full-time career."

How He Did It: "I got parts in regional theater, and we played New York. I fell in love with the city and moved here. I got my first role with Radio City right away, as the wicked witch in 'Snow White.' Besides Radio City, I do film, TV, theater and voiceover."

What Radio City's Santa Does: "My mission is to get Radio City's 6,000 theatergoers to feel the magic of Christmas. I do four shows every day during the Christmas Spectacular's eight-week run. I'm onstage for about an hour of the 90-minute show. I narrate the show and sing, dance and fly. Our awe-inspiring cast includes 36 Rockettes, a full orchestra, three camels, two sheep and a donkey."

Who Makes The Best Santa? "You must understand kids and hold onto your own childhood wonder. You have to believe in the goodness of the world and convey the miracle of Christmas. And you need to sing, dance, act and take direction. It takes all an actor's gifts to become St. Nick."

How's The Dough? "The message of Christmas is love, not money. And for me, applause is worth more than any salary. "

What About Perks? "Radio City's audience makes this the best job an actor could have. And my cast and crew are my family year-round."

What Else You Should Know: "When you believe in Santa, Santa believes in you."