Photo by Glenn Smith

(SUFFERN, NY) -- Rockland Youth Dance Ensemble (RYDE) presents the 45th season of its beloved holiday classic, The Nutcracker, from December 13-15, 2024, with seven spectacular performances at Rockland Community College Cultural Arts Theater. Follow the enchanting story of Clara and her Nutcracker prince as they embark on a magical journey filled with adventure, whimsical characters, and the captivating music of Tchaikovsky.

This year's production features a talented cast of young dancers alongside two special guest artists from New York City Ballet, soloists Alec Knight and Davide Riccardo. Knight and Riccardo will partner RYDE dancers in the iconic Snow Pas de Deux and Grand Pas de Deux, elevating the performance to new heights bringing the timeless tale to life.

"We are thrilled to welcome Alec Knight and Davide Riccardo to our production this year. Their experience and artistry will inspire our dancers and create a truly magical experience for our audience," stated Associate Artistic Director Alison Lister Frankel.

Photo by Glenn Smith

Whether you’re a longtime fan or experiencing this enchanting tale for the first time, The Nutcracker promises to be a memorable event that will delight audiences of all ages and dance enthusiasts alike.

Performances take place Friday,  December 13 at 7:00pm (Narrated)*; Saturday, December 14 at 1:00pm (Narrated); Saturday, December 14 at 4:00pm (Narrated); Saturday, December 14 at 7:00pm; Sunday, December 15 at 11:00am (Narrated)*; Sunday, December 15 at 2:00pm (Narrated); and Sunday, December 15 at 5:00pm. Tickets start at $28 and are available for purchase online. Rockland Community Cultural Arts Theater is located at 145 College Road in Suffern, New York. *Some discounted seats are available for Girl Scout troops.

Artistic Director Diane Frankel said, “The Nutcracker is a magical experience that brings together the Rockland County community during the holiday season. We are thrilled to celebrate our 45th season with this timeless classic, showcasing the incredible talent of our young dancers. Each performance is a testament to their hard work and dedication, and we can’t wait to share the joy of this beloved story with everyone.”

Rockland Youth Dance Ensemble (RYDE) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1983 to offer a forum for students and emerging artists in dance and theatre to develop their talents in a fully integrated environment of education and performance. RYDE primarily features young performers, ages 7 to 18,  who have achieved high-quality performance skills through their studies in the performing arts. For more than four decades, numerous RYDE dancers have qualified to attend Summer Dance Programs with prestigious national companies throughout the United States. Many have also become successful performers in dance, theatre and related professions.

Photo by Glenn Smith