PHOENIXVILLE PA – Three 53rd anniversary performances of “The Nutcracker” classic Christmas ballet, by the Schuylkill Valley Regional Dance Company (SVRDC), are scheduled for Dec. 14-15 (2024; Saturday and Sunday) in the theater at Phoenixville Middle School, 1000 Purple Pride Pkwy.
Show times are set for Dec. 14 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., and Dec. 15 at 1 p.m. The two-hour presentation includes an intermission with light refreshments available for purchase. Tickets, priced between $17 and $25, are available now online. Group ticket purchases for organizations also are available, by calling 484-889-7482. All seating is reserved. Parking at the school is free.
“Join Clara and her heroic friend, the Nutcracker, on this magical Christmas Eve adventure,” the dance company urges. It leads “into an epic battle against the mighty Mouse King and his mischievous minions of mice. Then voyage into the sparkling Kingdom of Snow, and through the enchanted Land of Sweets, meeting the Sugar Plum Fairy and dazzling dancers from around the world!,” it adds.
The company also will host a basket raffle fund-raiser in the theater lobby, with tickets available there for sale.
First Performed in Imperial Russia
The story is coupled with the “exhilaration of the iconic music of Tchaikovsky, originally heard 130 years ago during the first Nutcracker ballet performed in Imperial Russia.” The performance features more than 60 dancers and professional guest artists,” according to the company.
The non-profit Schuylkill Valley Regional Dance Company was founded in 1971 in Pottstown. It is “dedicated to promoting dance in the community,” its website notes. SVRDC permanently relocated to Phoenixville in 2013, “and is proud to provide opportunities to dancers ages 6 years and older to experience on-stage shows.”
Under the direction of Brittany Ryan, SVRDC currently performs an annual full-scale production of the Nutcracker, as well as at various local and regional festivals. The company makes its home at the Kimberton Dance Academy in Phoenixville. Also directed by Ms. Ryan, the company says the academy “provides students with high-quality training in various styles of dance in levels.” They range from pre-school to pre-professional, preparing them to audition for, and dance, in various productions.
Photo by Nihal Demirci Erenay on Unsplash, used by Travels With The Post under license
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