Manhattan Movement & Arts Center Debuts KNICKERBOCKER SUITE 12/5

The Manhattan Movement & Arts Center today announced the debut of the Knickerbocker Suite, a new take on the classic Nutcracker story to be performed by the Manhattan Youth Ballet. The show launches at the Manhattan Movement & Arts Center on New York City's Upper West Side on Saturday, December 5th. Tickets are $25.

The Knickerbocker Suite will feature New York City landmarks, such as The Statue of Liberty, The Metropolitan Museum of Art and NY sports teams, weaved into the time-honored holiday tale. Classic Nutcracker scenes like "The Land of the Snow" will be transformed to a snowy frenzy of shoppers dancing in and out of stores like Macy's and Bloomingdale's for last minute gifts, while "The Land of Sweets" will be accompanied by street vendors and roasted chestnuts. Perhaps one of the more well-known scenes, "Mother Ginger and her Polichinelles," will be played by the Statue of Liberty and dancing immigrants who just arrived from Ellis Island.

"This inaugural performance of the Knickerbocker Suite is truly a unique sight. New Yorkers and non New Yorkers alike will appreciate the costumes, scenery and talented dancers," says Rose Caiola owner and Executive Artistic Director of Manhattan Movement & Arts Center.

"Knickerbocker Suite whisks the audience away into a world of dance, music and holiday spirit. It has all of the classic music from the original Nutcracker, but also allows the audience to become enthralled in the excitement of New York City - the Macy's Day Parade, Rockefeller Center, street performers and Central Park covered in snow," says Francois Perron, Managing Artistic Director of Manhattan Youth Ballet.

From the opening scenes when Knickerbocker enters and describes the wonders of Manhattan to all the children surrounding the television watching the Macy's Day Parade; the audience instantly becomes enchanted with the magic of the show. The ballet concludes with the two stars, Clara and Nick dancing a Grand Pas de Deux similar to the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier in the original Nutcracker, however this will Pas de Deux represents a magical "walk in Central Park."

About Manhattan Movement & Arts Center
Manhattan Movement & Arts Center, located on the Upper West Side just south of Lincoln Center, comprises 18,000 square feet of obstruction-free dance studios and a state-of-the-art, 180-seat Off-Broadway theater. MMAC is the home of the Manhattan Youth Ballet pre-professional academy and performance company, which was founded in 1994 as Studio Maestro by Rose Caiola. MMAC also offers a full schedule of open dance and fitness classes for all levels, a comprehensive children's program and has become a popular rental venue for auditions, rehearsals and special events. Several summer programs introduced by MMAC encourage creativity and artistry in young people. www.manhattanmovement.com

About Manhattan Youth Ballet
Manhattan Youth Ballet pre-professional academy and performance company, which was founded in 1994 as Studio Maestro by Rose Caiola. With an international faculty from the Paris Opera Ballet, The Kirov Ballet, Béjart Ballet and New York City Ballet under the artistic direction of Francois Perron, the school offers the most well-rounded and versatile ballet education in Manhattan. Students of MYB are given many more performance opportunities than most ballet schools in New York as they are housed in a venue with its own theater. Students are also able to expand their dance education as MMAC offers a full schedule of open dance and fitness classes for all levels.
www.manhattanyouthballet.org