So You Think You Can Dance Hits Boston

A gorgeous Fall night in Boston. A beautiful and historic theatre. And tweens as far as the eye could see. Oh yes, it was the So You Think You Can Dance Tour and I was there!

If you are a regular reader of GiveMeMyRemote.com, then you know that I found myself completely and utterly obsessed with So You Think You Can Dance in this, its second season. Not having caught the first season of the show, I initially wrote SYTYCD off as another hack American Idol ripoff, but I was quickly proven wrong. Week after week, these amazing dancers – some still in their teens, stretched the limits of their artistry to perform original routines choreographed by some of the most notable talents in the industry.

This season So You Think You Can Dance found its audience, and soon dancers such as Benji and Travis became household names. With an audience who clearly responded to the dance craze, the So You Think You Can Dance Tour was born. And last Saturday night, I was lucky enough to attend the performance at The Wang Center in Boston.

So let’s set the scene…Ducky and I, along with our friends Jen & Jess, headed into Boston to see our favorite dancers one last time. Standing outside the theater you could have easily thought we were heading into a taping of TRL. We had tweens all around, each of which seemed to be sporting an obvious sign of adoration, perhaps it was a “Mrs. Benji Schwimmer” shirt, or maybe a “I Love Ivan” homemade sign – whatever it was, it made me feel a tad bit old and a little out of place. I kept imagining walking in and being the oldest person there (who wasn’t a chaperone). How wrong I was.

The tickets that Ducky snagged (on the first day they went on sale) were stellar. Close to the stage, but far enough back that we could get the full effect of the show. As we sat, I was pleased to see that we seemed have landed in the adult section of the theater. The people in front of us were well into their 40’s and suddenly I felt a bit better. That was until the lights went down and the show started.

Make sure you check out the pics of the SYTYCD dancers and GMMR after the jump.

It wasn’t long before the familar intro music started and the Top 10 dancers were introduced. I felt like I was back in my living room watching the show, but this time Benji, Ivan, Allison and the crew were there too. Bizarre!!

The sounds of “Technologic” really put the already crazy crowd into overdrive. I really loved all the group numbers, but I swear I didn’t know where to look. Per usual Jailbait Ivan and BF Travis caught my eye early on and it was hard not to watch just the two of them. But so much talent on one stage was just overwhelming. I’m pretty sure it was the end of this number that the people in front of us starting cursing their seat choice. Ducky and I were screaming so loud throughout the show that the guy in front of us actually covered his ears after each and every performance. Ha! Suddenly I became one of the tweens I had been dreading all night.

My excitement only grew as the night went on. All of the BEST performances from SYTYCD Season 2 were performed on the tour. I’m sure Ducky will fill you in on each of the dances, but I thought I would share my personal highlights:

– 3, count ’em 3, Allison & Ivan routines. The sexy Aregentine tango, the hip hop number choreographed to Neo’s Sexy Love (which has become my FAVORITE song since I first saw JI & Ali dance to it back in the day), and in my opinion, the most amazing dance of all Season 2 – the contemporary dance set to Annie Lenox’s “Why”. I am proud to say that unlike when I watched it on TV, I managed to hold off on the tears. I can’t say the same for another blogger I know who shall reamain nameless (but if it walks like one and quacks like one, then…)

– Each of the Top 10 dancers performed amazing solos. They were all stunning so I can’t say I had a favorite, but Travis, Benji and Allison’s numbers were definitely standouts. And Cousin Heidi – damn that girl’s body is fierce and those feet are fast. I couldn’t take my eyes off her feet. How does she do that?

– Speaking of Cousin Heidi, not only was she lucky enough to have Ryan beat her bongos, she also had the opportunity to shine once again with her cousin Benji during their spectacular Latin number and with Travis Wall during Mia Michael’s contemporary routine which is now simply known as ‘the bench’.

– Dmitry and Natalie were crazy good…I mean CRAZY good in a routine choreographed by Dmitry himself. Rumors may just be rumors, but these two have some serious chemistry and I was secretly hoping he would lay one on her after the dance. Bummer.

– Tranji once again rocked the crowd with their ADORKABLE best. They really bring out the best in each other and showed why they were the finalists.

– There were a lot of great groups numbers including a tribute to Fosse (including ‘Cell Block Tango’) and a fierce disco number that really showed off a different side of the dancers…and those outfits…yes!!

– Rama Lama Bang Bang – the full effect of this number may not have translated as well on stage as it did on TV, but it was still one of my favorite numbers of the night. I got the sense that the Top 10 really love this routine as well. How could they not with that amazing choreography by Wade Robson?! Oh and we had a few guests during this one as well. Jessica & Jaymz – welcome…nice to see ya!!

– Wade Robson, oh Wade Robson. Any bitterness I may have had towards you for breaking up Britney and Justin was forgiven the moment I first saw Travis Wall work the shit out of the non-existant catwalk in Sexy Back. This number was sick – and ever better than it was on TV as it was extended to include the Top 10 dancers (but still with a special focus on Benji, Cousin Heidi, BF Travis and Donyelle). I will NEVER listen to this song and not think of Travis. I’m not sure anyone else was on the stage. Sorry, but he owned that number on TV and he owned it on the tour as well.

Ok, there were so many numbers, and they were all spectacular. I wasn’t bored for one minute. Actually it was the exact opposite. It was hard for me to sit in my seat. I thought every number deserved a standing “O”, even if the people behind me were ready to kill me. The only thing that would have made the night better? Cat Deely.

Kudos to the dancers, the choreographers and all involved in this fantastic production. It was really an amazing way to spend a Saturday…so fun!!!

…and then the night began

Ducky’s correpondents had mentioned that the dancers hung around after the show to meet the fans, so the minute we left the theater we were looking for them. After some time, we finally discovered the buses and hoped for a glimpse of one of the dancers. We had no idea what was in store for us…

Jessica was the first to arrive. I’m not sure why Nigel said she didn’t have much of a personality because this girl was ALL personality. She was super sweet, funny and sassy – just the way we like them around these parts. Jessica even personally made sure I got to meet Jailbait Ivan (more on that later). Ducky and I got to chat with Jess more than any of the other dancers as she came back to hang with us for a while after she was done meeting all the fans. She even gave Ducky and I a little hush hush scoop on what the dancers have in store during the last show of the tour in Providence later this month. And Miss Thang even offered to try to help Ducky and I score some tickets and backstage passes…yes, she is that freakin’ cool. A huge shout out to my girl Jess…if you are reading this, give Ivan a smack on the ass and then email me. We have to meet up again in Providence, Sugar!! (click pics to enlarge)

So one by one, the dancers made their way to us (well all but Martha, I somehow missed her). Travis Wall, or Ducky’s BF Travis, as he’s known around these parts was the next dancer we met. Ducky was more excited than the 13 year old girls around us. And as excited I was to meet Travis, I was more excited for Ducky to meet his boy. Trav is just as adorable in person as he was on TV. And that hair? Well it certaintly gives him some extra height.

Season 2 wnner Benji Schwimmer (who by the way is such a natural talent – he emceed most of the evening and he was fabulous) stopped by to say Hi. He’s got the cutest little baby face and he smelled really good. And you know me, I certaintly felt the need to tell him.

I was sad to say that I didn’t really get the chance to chat it up with Cousin Heidi. She is a legend, if only for the vag drop alone. C.H. was in high demand and she was gone before I knew it. Everyone was so sweet and stopped to take some really great shots. Especially Donyelle who loved my boy Ducky so much that she almost climed over the barrier just to give him a special hug. Aw. Dmitry is just as sexy in person, and I tried to get him to lose the shirt (not for me…I did it for you people…it’s all for you), but no luck. Natalie was sportin’ some intense glitter eyeshadow and she had her reasons (ha ha…maybe Ducky will explain). Allison came and went before I got to fawn too much over her. You know how I love her!! Jaymz, Ryan and all the guys were super sweet and really gave the fans a great experience.

So that was it, those were the dancers I met. All of them were…what? Huh? Wait, did I leave someone out? Hmmm, who could that be. Benji, Travis, Cousin Heidi, Allison, Jessica, Jaymz, Ryan, Donyelle, Natalie, Martha, Dmitry..that’s everyone, no? Who am I missing?

Ah yes, my little Jailbait Ivan, my VERY favorite SYTYCD S2 contestant, Ivan Koumaev. My love for Ivan goes back to the auditions. I couldn’t imagine THAT level of talent was coming from this little kid. A kid he wasn’t…but he wasn’t actually “legal” either, and hence the birth of his moniker – Jailbait Ivan. The baby face hip hop dancer emerged as one of the great stories of the competition as the audience saw him evolve from a seemingly, one genre talent to an amazing well-rounded dancer. There is a reason he is front and center of most of the group numbers…he’s that good. Ok, ok, so what about meeting him?

Well, as I said, Jessica was the first dancer we met, and it wasn’t long before Ivan walked right by us. I may have tried to upstage a little girl with a broken leg by telling Jessica that I was dying and had only four days to live and only Ivan had the cure. Desperate times call for desperate measures, people. Jessica heard my sob story and actually ran after Ivan to tell him that he MUST make his way to me at some point.

Well before you knew it, my boy was close by. Close enough that he definitely heard me call him Jailbait Ivan. Oops. When he finally made it to me it was like the whole word drifted away and it was only Ivan and I. Ok, a bit dramatic, but the crowd of girls Ducky and I were standing with did move aside to ensure that I got a great shot with my boy. He’s too cute for words. Yes, he does look 12 but he’s 18 so my love isn’t that forbidden (ok yes it is).  I got a great hug from my boy, and even got a little peck on the cheek. Sigh!! What a little sweetie. Look for him to be backing up Justin Timberlake soon…he’ll be there. And Jessica?  when she saw Ivan close to where I was standing, she ran over just to make sure  met him.  Ha ha!!