SMITHTOWN’S FIRST NEWSPAPER HEAD OF THE HARBOR, NISSEQUOGUE, VILLAGE OF THE BRANCH, COMMACK, STONY BROOK Thursday - January 5, 2017 Bringing Home The News Since 1887 Subscription $23.00 per year Vol. 129 No. 06 • 75¢ Seiskaya Ballet’s The Nutcracker Soars with Young Talent By: Christina Pandolfi For the past 21 years, Valia Seiskaya’s rendition of this holiday classic has delighted audiences, thanks to its rich choreography and grandeur. But what set this year’s production apart was the plethora of young talent that took the stage. Developing ballerinas discovered their artistry with true grace and made each part their own with confidence, far beyond their years. A perfect example of this? The lissome Brianna Jimenez as Clara, who brought the role to life with fervent passion, reminiscent of a simpler time. Beginning in Act I at the Stahlbaum holiday party, Jimenez’s sculpted legs and arches punctuated every tour jeté and arabesque with pristine energy. She entertained her friends with subtle authority and yearned for her precious nutcracker with childlike innocence. It was exciting watching her grow into the performance. Clara’s precocious brother, Fritz, danced by the petite Sugar Plum Diana Atoian exploded onto the stage in a series of magnificent split jumps. Lara Caraiani, was the perfect counterpart, dancing with grace and All photos courtesy of Erik Muller. accuracy shown in a lovely set of fouetté turns. Clara’s precious Nutcracker reappeared to defend her honor, this time in human form. Portrayed by a promising Max Lippman, the Nutcracker Prince battled the Mouse King with power and determination. Once Clara helped him defeat his enemy, the two engaged in a magical pas de deux, filled with sweeping port de bras and impressive lifts. Led into a winter wonderland by the statuesque Jamie Bergold as Snow Queen, a whirling cadre of snowflakes twinkled with delight, ending Act I on a high note. The sweetness only continued in Act II, as little angels welcomed the audience into the dreamy Land of Sweets, floating and weaving in unison to greet Clara and her Prince. Charmed by exotic Spanish Dancers, calm and controlled Arabian Dancers and rambunctious little Sheep, the excitement peaked with an exuberant group of Flowers, led by Ava Aubé as the Dew Drop. A dancer blessed with long lines and natural grace, Aubé’s quiet steadiness allowed her to control every pirouette and développé with ease. But the hum of the crowd quieted instantly as the gorgeous Diana Atoian took the stage to dance the Sugar Plum Pas de Deux with Nick Coppula, guesting as the Cavalier. Atoian is a special dancer – one with Brianna Jimenez as Clara brought the role to life with passion easy natural facilities and épaulement – but it transcends that. She feels and verve culminating in a mesmerizing pas with Max Lippman every note of the score and treats every step and transition with equal in the role of the Nutcracker. importance. Her dancing is resonant because of her passion, and we all felt it. Coppula’s strong and steady technique let Atoian shine like the As the party rising star she is. They continued, magical toys proved to be a striking came to life and delighted duo. guests, notably a dynamic The love for Graciela Carrero-Sagona ballet is not something as the Chocolate Solider, that can be faked or who leapt with exciting manipulated. It is the buoyancy. But Act I’s purest form of art, and charm was grounded in I’m excited to see it Warren Camhi’s Herr continuing to thrive at Drosselmeyer, who this Long Island ballet always remained cloaked staple. in mystery. As the evening Christina Pandolfi wound down, the fairy dust is an accomplished lingered and night crept in writer and dancer who with a sinister air. Large, attended the prestigious red-eyed mice suddenly Tisch School of the Arts appeared, dancing in frenzy at New York University. and beginning a shocking She is also a dance critic battle scene with life-size Warren Camhi’s Herr Drosselmeyer always remained cloaked in mystery. for Broadway World toy soldiers. Suddenly, Dance..