Holiday Performances in Rockland County, NY - December 2010

Check out our roundup of family-friendly holiday shows that will be performed in Rockland County, NY, this December.

Debi's Dance students perform in a holiday show.

Debra Klein has loved dancing for as long as she can remember, but she knew early on that she would never be able to fulfill her childhood dream of becoming a Rockette. At five-feet-three-inches tall, she didn't meet the famous dance troupe's minimum height requirement. Determined to pursue her passion, she opened Debi's Dance in Suffern. For the past seven years, the studio has presented a holiday revue that lets students show off their talents. And each year the show features a special holiday costume that mimics - you guessed it! - the world-famous Rockettes.

This year Debi's Dance presents A Rockin' Holiday Show 2010, with dancers garbed in red and gold lamee outfits modeled after those in commercials for Radio City Music Hall's annual Christmas show. Debi said her studio's revue is an alternative to the traditional holiday show. There's jazz, hip-hop, and ballet, with nods to both Christmas and Hanukkah, as well as singing and gymnastics by the school's 100 students. December 18 at 1pm and 4pm. $15. SUNY Rockland Community College, Cultural Arts Theater, 145 College Road, Suffern. For more info: 845-357-2251.

For those who simply can't part with tradition, the Rockland Youth Dance Ensemble (RYDE), part of Coupe Theatre Studio in Nanuet, presents The Nutcracker in several performances this month. Now in its 30th year, this show is under the artistic direction of studio founder Diane Frankel. In addition to showcasing the talents of Coupe's students, professional dancer Bill Hastings will return as Drosselmeyer, and Milan Misko will perform as the Cavalier in the Grand Pas de Deux, Frankel and Hastings each have had extensive careers on the Broadway stage; before opening Coupe in 1970, Frankel performed in 11 original Broadway shows. RYDE presents The Nutcracker on December 10 at 7pm, December 11 at 3pm and 7pm, and December 12 at 1pm and 4pm at SUNY Rockland Community College's Cultural Arts Theatre. All seats are $20. Additional full-length performances will be presented by RYDE's Junior Company on December 4 at 3pm and December 5 at 1pm and 4pm at Clarkstown Senior High School South, 31 Demarest Mill Road, West Nyack. $20 front section; $18 rear section. Physically and mentally challenged residents of Rockland County are invited to attend RYDE's FREE 2010 Special Audience Performance of the show on December 4 at 7pm at Clarkstown Senior High School South. And although closed to the public, RYDE also presents two shows annually for staff and residents of the Helen Hayes Rehabilitation Hospital in West Haverstraw. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 845-624-RYDE (7933).