Last night, for the first time in So You Think You Can Dance history, an entire one hour show was dedicated to introducing the Top 20 dancers to the viewing audience. Personally, I think it was unnecessary; I didn't learn a thing about any of the contestants that I hadn't already known. Also, I'm already getting tired of hearing the judges tell us, ad nauseum, that this is the most talented Top 20 in the history of the show. From watching these guys dance last night, I can believe that this is the most talented group of finalists... I'm just growing weary of the judges' blathering on and on about it. Still, it's always nice to see some excellent dancing, so regardless of the reasons for this Top 20 special, I'll take it!
The contestants put on an exhibition show last night. No, they didn't take their clothes off (heehee!), but rather they danced for "show" only without threat of elimination (tonight, Tuesday, is the first night of Top 20 competition). The 20 dancers were divided into six groups based on dance style and performed a routine crafted by one of the show's talented choreographers. Dancers with asterisks next to their names, below, were the ones who really caught my eye.
Hip Hop (choreographed by Tabitha and Napoleon D'umo)
Kevin Hunte
*Jonathan "Legacy" Perez
*Russell Ferguson
This dance really used the strengths of all three dancers. Though Kevin is the only one who identifies himself as a straight up Hip Hopper, Russell's Krumping and Legacy's B-Boying were the highlights of the number for me. They danced to Beggin' by Madcon.
Contemporary (choreographed by Tyce Diorio)
Nathan Trasoras
Ariana Debose
Jakob Karr
Channing Cooke
No one in this group was a stand out for me. They kicked, flung, and fell to Crying by k.d. lang.
Tap (choreographed by Derick K. Grant)
*Bianca Revels
Phillip Attmore
Peter Sabasino
Perhaps is was because she was the only female in the group, or perhaps it was because of her sparkling personality, but Bianca was the light that shown in this routine. I didn't care for the music, Take the "A" Train by Ella Fitzgerald (there are much better versions of the song in existence, in my opinion), but it was respectable. On a side note, when I watch Peter dance, I keep thinking that he should be doing something other than tap, like Hip Hop or even Latin... his body looks like it's built for something meatier than tap.
Jazz (choreographed by Sonya Tayeh)
Mollee Gray
Pauline Mata
*Ellenore Scott
For me, this routine kinda bombed. It was supposed to be sexy, but it just didn't work (though the judges, Tyce in particular, declared that it did... I say bull). The girls wore what were, perhaps, the ugliests costumes in the history of the show: flowery patterned skirted tops with matching shorts, complete with tutus. Heck - the rehearsal footage looked sexier than the performance, and I can't help but to think that those heinous costumes played a large part in this dance being the worst of the night. This number was supposed to convey that these girls were grown-up, sexy women, but the poor combination of costumes, choreography, and music - On A Cloud by PPP - doomed the intent. Still, Ellenore managed to shine through just a little.
Contemporary (choreographed by Mandy Moore)
Billy Bell
Victor Smalley
Noelle Marsh
Kathryn McCormick
I enjoyed the choreography, music, and costumes on this number. Billy Bell had a few nice leaps/splits, but overall there were no real standouts, and perhaps that is as it should be in a group number. They danced to Viva La Vida by Coldplay, which I thought was a smart choice on Mandy's part.
Latin (choreographed by Jason Gilkison from the Australian version of SYTYCD)
*Karen Hauser
Ashleigh Di Lello
Ryan Di Lello
This piece was about two women vying for Ryan. I think maybe Ashleigh won the man (she's his wife, after all), but Karen's dancing stood out for me just a bit. I hope we get to see more of all three of these Latin/Ballroom dancers. The music for this number was Everything I Can't Have by Robin Thicke. If you're not familiar with Robin Thicke, he's the son of Growing Pains actor Alan Thicke. My favorite tune of Robin's is Lost Without U.
Not sure when this show was recorded, but it must've been some time ago as the Top 20 line-up has changed a bit in the interim. Billy Bell, a 19-year-old contemporary dancer from West Palm Beach, FL has had to drop out of the competition due to an undisclosed illness. Taking his place is 21-year-old Hip Hop dancer Brandon Dumlao who we will see in tonight's competition show. Billy, we hope you're better soon and hope you'll audition again next season!
I predict that Mollee Gray will be eliminated earlier on in the season. She's one of six 18-year-olds in the Top 20, and she (and Pauline and Arianna) definitely seem like the children of the group. My highest hopes are for Russell Ferguson, though I'll admit a soft spot for the Latin dancers as well, especially the women, Karen and Ashleigh. And speaking of Ashleigh, I hope it won't be too awkward for her to watch her handsome husband, Ryan, getting all up-close and personal with the other female dancers he's paired with.
One more thing: in case you're not aware, this season has a slightly different format, at least during these first few weeks of competition. There will be no "results show", but rather the judges will eliminated one male and one female at the end of the two-hour performance show. Also, starting next week, the show will air on Monday nights.
Can't wait for tonight!!!
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