SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Top 20 Showcase

The auditions are over. The Top 20 dancers have been revealed. And now the real fun stars. Tonight’s episode of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE wasn’t about the voting, it was about the dancers. For the first time ever, the top 20 took the stage not to compete for votes but to showcase their tremendous talent. It was a chance for us the viewers at home to see all of the dancers perform in their own genre, and my goodness was a show it was.

The sexy, confident and sophisticated opening routine by Wade Robson set the tone early for the night. The top 20 dancers took the stage and performed at a level which would have wowed any Broadway audience on opening night. While every dancer had a chance to shine in their small moments, the real excitement was in the fullness of the ensemble. The provocative and down right cool opening routine let us know just what talent is in store for us this season.

I said a hip hop, Hippie to the hippie, The hip, hip a hop, and you don’t stop, a rock it.

This year’s Top 20 includes three different styles of Hip Hop.  Russel Ferguson of Boston (YAY) is the show’s first Krumper. Kevin Hunte from Brooklyn is a pop ‘n locker with flair.  And B-Boy Jonathan “Legacy” Perez from Los Angeles is already a legacy with his inspired moves. Together the three came together for a hard-hitting, fabulous routine choreographed by Tabitha & Napolean that showed off each of their styles and abilities as dancers. NappyTabs worked a lot with the dancers from America’s Best Dance Crew, and it was for certain that they really brought a lot of the ABDC magic with them in this routine. Their tricks were spectacular and some of those moves were like nothing we’ve seen on SYTYCD so far. I was beyond impressed as were the judges.

We should note that these three hip hop dancers will be joined by another guy representing their style of dance.  Brendan Dumlao from Concord, CA has been added to the Top 20 with the unfortunate departure of Billy Bell.

From Sadness Comes Joy

Channing Cooke, another Boston-area dancer (go Haverhill), Jakob Karr from Orlando (one of this year’s early favorite for S6 SYTYCD boyfriend), Ariana Debose from Raleigh, and Nathan Trasoras from Downy, CA (yup, Jailbait in the running – and I called this back in Season 5 so there!) might have taken the stage in a routine to convey personal sadness, but for me it was pure joy. I was stunned that we were watching these four performers take the stage for the first time.  The routine, choreographed by Tyce Diorio, could have easily been a Top 4 routine. The strength and technical ability of these dancers paired with the vulnerability they brought was beyond touching. Beautiful all around. The girls were gorgeous and so powerful, and the two guys showed us something so special.  Jakob soared through the air with the most amazing lines. And how Nathan continued on with the routine after his spectacular pirouettes was astonishing.

Cat is right. How are we going to send people home this season after seeing what they are truly all capable of?

Tap, Tap, Tapping the way Across the Stage

For the first time ever, SYTYCD has not one, not two, but three tappers in the Top 20. Bianca Revels from Detroit, Phillip Attmore from Pasadena, and Peter Sabasino from Philly showed us their talent in this suave tap routine choreographed by a brand new choreographer, Derick K. Grant. While I certainly liked this routine, it’s a bit more difficult for me to get excited about tap as the other genres because I’m not educated as to what makes a great tap routine. The best parts for me were when each of the tappers took to the spotlight as individuals and showed us what they got.  In tapping, so much is about the feet, so it’s a difficult genre for television. But it was clear that all three did a fantastic job with the number and I’m looking forward to learning more about this old, but new to me, style of dance.

Nigel repeated tonight what he’s said in past seasons, which is that tap is just too difficult a genre to teach someone in a week.  So while these three tap dancers will be taking on every style of dance this season, their respective partners will not ever be learning tap.  So the only time these three will be getting their tap on is if they ever have to dance for their lives.  But as Nigel said, they are not just tappers, they are well rounded dancers and that’s why they are on this show.

Show Me Those Jazz Hands

Are you ready for some sass?  This season three jazz dancers will compete for your votes.  Mollee Gray, originally from Orem, UT knows a thing about dancing in the spotlight – she’s danced in all the “High School Musical” movies. Paulina Mata from West Covina, CA, is a dance teacher ready to show her dance students how it’s done.  And Ellenore Scott is a Contemporary and Jazz dancer who actually describes herself as a ‘lockerina’ – a ballerina who locks.  Clearly a talented group of ladies. And what a treat to work with the fierce and fab Sonya Tayeh on their very first week.

The routine was built around showing off sexiness through confidence. On the whole it didn’t work for me.  There were a lot of things that were just a bit off.  Because the routine required the use the whole stage, it didn’t allow for the camera to really focus in on the emotions of the ladies.  And whether it’s fair or not, I was so distracted by their hair flailing around and their oddly proportioned costumes that I felt maybe I missed the whole of the performance.  I can tell you that for me, Ellenore stood out in a good way, while Mollee did the opposite. But it’s worth a good rewatch for me. Maybe I missed something.

Contemporary Part Deux

Last month when I was in L.A. at the Fox Party, I got some time to chat with choreographer Mandy Moore, and I was pleased as punch when she said that she would be a bigger part of Season 6 than she was Season 5.  If you’re new to the show and not familiar with some of Mandy’s routines, then you are in for a treat.  She brings so many interesting things to her dances that I know she’ll soon be a favorite of yours too.

But it’s not about the choreos tonight, it’s about the dancers. This group is all about representing our Southern states. Billy Bell, who unfortunately had to leave the competition today hails from West Palm Beach, FL, Victor Smalley from Miami, Kathryn McCormick (you know, high pitched crying girl) grew up in Augusta, GA, and Noelle Marsh is coming to us from Sanford, NC. Tonight they brought the Southern charm but with that extra bit of something that made them soar across the dance floor.  Two Contemporary routines, but two completely different approaches and execution. The first routine was about sadness but this one was full of life – Viva la Vida.  The four dancers worked so well together, but I couldn’t help be drawn to Billy Bells amazing lines and strength. He will be missed from this competition.

Well done.

Is it Me or is it Hot in Here?

Tonight’s show ended on a sizzling note as our three ballroom dancers turned up the heat with a sexy samba choreographed by Jason Gilkinson.  Springville, UT dancer Ryan Di Lello got a glimpse of a more ‘swinging’ lifestyle (at least on stage) when he split his attention between his wife Ashleigh Di Lello (originally from Urem, UT  – I wonder if she knows Mollee Gray) and Latin ballroom dancer Karen Hauer, who was born in Valencia, Venezuela.

The dance was super fast and intricate – loved it! Ryan really stole the show, as it was hard to take your eyes off him. He has something very special.  But the ladies at his side were smokin’ too. It’s not often we see a ballroom routine with three dancers, so it really added to the level of excitement tonight.

And Now the Competition Begins…

Bravo to the producers of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE for introducing this talent showcase.  It was a wonderful introduction to the dancers and it really emphasize the immense talent that will be competing for the title of America’s Favorite Dancer.  If what we saw tonight is any indication of the level of talent  we’ll be seeing week in and week out then this is going be one hell of a season!

Tonight was for fun, but tomorrow it’s all about the competition.  The Top 20 dancers will be paired up and compete for the first time together as a couple.  And by the end of the evening we’ll be down to just 18 dancers as one guy and one girl will be sent home.  The judges will be doing all of the deciding until the Top 16 and then America gets to vote. At that point in time, the dancing pairs with the least amount of votes will be asked to dance for their lives in their own style of dance.  The judges will then decide once again who stays and who goes.  But when we get to the Top 10 it’s all about America’s vote.  The guy and the girl with the least amount of votes will be going home.

I’m so excited to be back sharing my love for SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE with you.  Last season Dan and I did our very best to record a podcast for almost every week of the show.  Now that the show is on in the Fall, we can’t promise that we’ll have weekly chats, but rather special podcasts when we are able to get together.  But whether it’s via podcast or my own take right here on GMMR, we’ll be covering S6 like it’s nobody’s business.

If you are new to the show, let us know.  We love new viewers.  And if you’re an old time, welcome back!

Dance is art and as we all know art is subjective.  So now it’s your turn to tell us about what you saw on the stage tonight.  Any early favorites?  Any standout routines?  Let’s talk DANCE!

Note: A special thanks to Rickey.org and his readers for sharing the videos of the routines with us. We’ll try to add more as they become available, so keep checking back. But we sure to give proper thanks!