The Nutcracker returns to Mayo Civic Center

(ABC 6 NEWS) – Rochester Dance Company returned to the stage this holiday season with The Nutcracker.

The show took place at Mayo Civic Center Saturday, Dec. 11 and Sunday, Dec. 12. The cast and crew were well received by an audience eager to see their favorite Christmas show in-person again this year, after COVID-19 forced last year to be virtual. The artists backstage and onstage said it feels good to be back under the bright lights.

"We’re really excited it’s our first public show so it’s going to be really exciting. We’ve been working hard since August," Daniel Klinkhammer, the show’s artistic director, said.

"It’s so excellent. Being on stage in a full show is everything I remembered it being — and even better," said Will Repede, the performer playing the role of The Nutcracker.

Audience members were allowed in the theater at near full capacity — as long as they were masked. The dancers were masked too. The production featured professionally designed costumes and a Christmas tree that appeared to grow by magic.