We spoke with Santa Claus from Radio City's 'Christmas Spectacular'

Actor Charles Edward Hall celebrates his 25th anniversary of playing Santa Claus in the "Radio City Christmas Spectacular" this season.

Having performed for almost a third of the 79-year-old show's run, Hall, a divorced father of two who lives in Manhattan, might lay claim to being the current longest-running performer in a New York role.

amNewYork caught him gearing up for the "Spectacular's" seasonal kick-off on Nov. 11.

What's the best and worst thing about playing Santa? I'm honored to be identified with such a beloved character. It's not like playing Satan! There isn't really a "worst" thing, but the 'pod' - the fat suit? There's no way to stay cool in the Santa costume.

Do other actors envy you for eating anything you want? I'm 175 pounds. and 6-feet-1. If I was as big as Santa, my job would be extremely difficult. Santa has to sing, dance and run around. Santa flew through the air for five years in the show. It's a lot easier to levitate when you're thin.

What happened when you told your kids, "Yes, Virginias, there is a Santa: Me!"? In the old show, I also played Ebenezer Scrooge, and my son used to watch from backstage. He was taken out of the dressing room when I changed into Santa because I wanted him to believe that Santa was real. When Santa became a much larger part and there was no Scrooge, I told him that 'real' Santa was getting older, and needed me to play him. When my daughter found out I was Santa, she was not happy. She felt I had not told her the truth.

Did her response make you rethink passing on the Santa myth? No! It reinforced my belief that we should teach children to believe in the spirit of the season - the birth of Christ, happiness, the giving spirit of Christmas. Santa is really a very spiritual role.

What is the weirdest thing someone has asked for? The strangest thing is when kids ask you for living entities. One little girl wanted eight tiny reindeer. Another child wanted a penguin. I tell them that would be like someone asking for them. You can't be a gift unless you offer yourself. You can't ask for a gift that's not available to you.

What does Santa want for Christmas? Children's eyes shining with love and wonder. That's the greatest gift of all.

If you go: The "Radio City Christmas Spectacular" runs from Nov. 11 through Jan. 2 at Radio City Music Hall. For full schedule and ticke information, go to radiocitychristmas.com.