DATE: Saturday, May 10, 1997                TAG: 9705100049

SECTION: DAILY BREAK             PAGE: E2   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: DANCE REVIEW 

SOURCE: BY JUDITH HATCHER, CORRESPONDENT 

                                            LENGTH:   48 lines

VIRGINIA BALLET THEATRE WAS A FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHT

BY GEORGE, I think they've got it!

Hampton Roads' only professional dance company, the Virginia Ballet Theatre, gave the Virginia Waterfront International Arts Festival a grand dance exit at the Harrison Opera House on Thursday. How fitting that a local group presented the most eclectic and challenging program of all the companies performing at the festival.

Balanchine's ``Serenade'' - his ode to females as they transmute into ballerinas - was well coached by Lorraine Graves, who began her dance training in Norfolk, and Victoria Simon, a former member of the New York City Ballet. The corps was so poised and focused that they received applause just after the curtain rose for that breathtaking moment before movement begins.

The company has improved tremendously, a tribute to Frank and Janina Bove's training and vision. Only a few loose exits or waggles in lines, especially near the end of this piece, reminded us how very young this company is. Jennifer Foytik, Dawn Furhman, Jacqueline Klekota and Jamie Marie Planko were a recurring quartet who were fine precision to watch, especially when working with Stacy Caddell.

Caddell danced as if she felt delightfully at home, and not because she trained here. She goes past mere experience to become one with the dance. With Christina Johnson and Leslie Vise, the audience had a poem in dance of three beautiful performers with secure technique.

Todd Rosenlieb and Kim Whittam choreographed and performed the divine ``Suite Sammy'' to several of Sammy Davis Jr's. songs. With Kathryn Finney, this was a winning combo of wit, ersatz musical chairs and inventive partnering.

Frank Bove's ``By George,'' was enhanced by Wes Kenney's fine musicians, with Chris Kypros' sparkling piano work and luscious music by Gershwin. Frank Bove is a musically sensitive choreographer who can translate mood into movement no matter what composer he has chosen to honor this way. Christina Marie Ryan caught this spirit and didn't let it go. She was the steadiest of all in execution and output, not doing just steps, but doing them with sparkle and style.

The jewel of dance has been firmly attached to Hampton Roads' crown of opera, theater and music with the Virginia Ballet Theatre. ILLUSTRATION: DANCE REVIEW

Virginia Ballet Theatre

Thursday at the Harrison Opera House, Norfolk

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