http://www.newsday.com MONDAY, DEC. 16, 1996 SUFFOLK 50¢ Sophie Vanier as Clara and Jonathan Riseling in the title role in “The Nutcracker” at Staller Call It Her for the Sugarplum Fairy and Cavalier skillfully show- cased the impressive technique of Clara’s guest artist Petter Jacobsson, for- merly of the Royal Swedish , and prima ballerina Amy Wilks. Show Similarly, Seiskaya provided plenty of high leaps and tight spins for the Snow Queen, ethereally ‘Nutcracker’ lead danced by Elizabeth McGrath, and for the Dew Drop, whom Andrea is a sugarplum Montechiari transformed into a ball of energy. Sequences for , BALLET REVIEW Arabian and Asian dancers were el- egantly stylized. THE NUTCRACKER. Seiskaya Ballet. However, the party scene at the Music by Tchaikovsky, by Valia Seiskaya. Friday, Saturday, yesterday home of Clara’s father, Herr and Wednesday at the Staller Center, State Stahlbaum, wisely featured as much University at Stony Brook. Seen Friday mime as , allowing a host of young children to perform without By Letta Tayler effortlessly transported us right along old enough to fantasize that her Nut- mishap. There were a few close calls, STAFF WRITER with her. cracker has become a handsome such as when young Cory Stearns, The Nutcracker has been per- prince. With her little-girl smile and who played Clara’s brother Fritz, OR ALL THE pomp and grace formed with countless variations grown-up poise, Vanier fits the role stuck his tongue out in concentration of the Seiskaya Ballet’s “Nut- since it was unveiled in ST. Peters- perfectly. as he prepared for a pirouette. But cracker,” which boasts a 70- burg in 1892. Choreographer Valia Less convincing was guest artist Stearns then executed his turn with member cast, lavish sets and Seiskaya’s version generally adheres Jonathan Riseling as the Nutcracker. nary a wobble, earning one of the sumptuous costumes, it was Sophie to the original: At a party, Clara re- Despite solid technique, Riseling heartiest rounds of applause of the Vanier’s magical portrayal of Clara ceives a Nutcracker from an eccen- often looked as if he hadn’t quite night. that single-handedly stole the show. tric toymaker named Herr made the transformation from toy to Children dancing as woolly lambs, Fluid arms, marvelous extension, Drosselmeyer and, after she falls imaginary prince. snowflakes, angels and acrobats were exquisite placement and legs that asleep, travels with the doll to a Like most regional ballet directors, just as winsome. Their gambols in never end aren’t all that 14-year-old world filled with battling mice, danc- Seiskaya, based in St. James, works from of Margaret Piotrowska’s vi- Vanier has going for her. Her expres- ing snowflakes, a sugarplum fairy with a corps whose members range brant sets of snowscapes and tropi- sions and gestures exude excitement and other fanciful characters. from toddling novices to real pros. cal flowers were enough to convince and wonder. When she entered her Clara is in the first blush of ado- For the most part, she deftly tailored even the crankiest Scrooge that this dreamland with her nutcracker- lescence — young enough to believe her choreography to each dancer’s holiday warhorse is still worth trot- turned-prince on Friday night, she she’s battling a Mouse King bur just abilities without losing momentum. ting out each year.