The Top 14 Are Amazing

Last night my family of four attended the Cardinal game (yeah Troy Glaus) and when we came home made the sad discovery that our DVR had only taped the last 51 minutes of SYTYCD. Thankfully, Chris Schiller saved hers and let me come over and watch it after work, so this will be a feverish attempt to get the blog up before the show tonight. Can I say that I LOVE when we reach the point in the competition when the couples get two dances? This separates the dancers into those who are going to make that top 10 and be able to roll with learning mulitple styles in one week, and those who are reaching the end of the line. After tonight, it is pretty clear who will be in that top 10 and who will be performing for us at the show later this fall!! Tabitha and Napoleon were the guest judges last night, and we were introduced to some new choreographers. The show was so entertaining, so let's get started.



THE PERFORMANCES:

Jessica and Will danced a jive, choreographed by Tony Meredith and Melanie to "Choo Choo Ch' Boogie" from Five Guys Named Moe (Original Broadway Cast). I thought this number was cute, challenging, and I thought that Will looked like he was really thinking about the choreography versus performing it. I actually thought Jessica's performance was more relaxed and enjoyable, but overall the piece was forgettable for me. T & N loved the energy that happened after the big lift. Mary thought they missed some connections, but that it was a good performance. Nigel thought Jessica's weight was in the wrong place. I think they are always really hard on Jessica, and this time it was a combination of the style and both dancers that kept the number from working.

Comfort and Thayne danced a Broadway routine by Andy Blankenbuehler to "Cool" from West Side Story. I loved this choreography and thought that Thayne did a remarkable job with the style. I thought Comfort looked a little lazy with her legs in the kicks, but overall I thought they developed a chemistry pretty quickly together. T & N believed their chemistry. Mary was proud of Comfort. Nigel thought they would get boo'd off Broadway. I really disagree with Nigel, I enjoyed the number although more so because of Thayne than Comfort.

Kourtni and Matt did a Cecily and Olisa hip-hop routine to "How Do I Breathe" by Mario. This was just (in my daughter's words) lame. They did not dance in sync with each other, and Kourtni did not attack the movement. For me it was completely amateurish. I struggled to make myself watch the whole routine. T & N thought it was a good job, but not good enough. Mary didn't feel anything. Nigel said, "if I get my boo now, can I say what I want to say?"

Chelsea and Mark did a jazz routine choreographed by Mandy Moore to "Kiss Kiss" by Holly Vance. These two dancer's are fantastic and I was thoroughly entertained. Chelsie used her Latin training to add some spice to this piece and Mark was completely in tune with her. I have to agree with T & N when they say that they seem to be able to do any style together and make it work.Mary thought the chemistry was great. Nigel said they were the 1st couple of the evening to have a connection.

Kherrington and Twitch danced a paso doble by Tony Meredith and Melanie to "Malaguena " by the Brian Setzer '68 Comeback Special. After some of the other Paso Doble's we have seen, I am thinking of Travis and Heidi, Sara and Jesus, and Sabra and Neil, this one didn't really work for me. I love these two in a big way, but I didn't care for Twitch in this role and I didn't like what the hair people did to Kerrington. I thought she had great energy, but I didn't really like the cape work and the overall affect of the piece. T & N loved it, but felt that Twitch didn't bring it until halfway through. Mary thought it was full of passion, but technically wasn't there. Nigel thought Mary didn't give enough of a critique.

Katee and Joshua performed a contemporary routine by Mia Michaels to "Hometown Glory" by Adele. This piece was Mia in all her glory. From the second the music started the intensity of these two dancers was so moving and gorgeous that I think I held my breath. I loved every moment of this piece, and Joshu got it right when he said it was so much more than dancing. T & N were both blown away. Mary called it "monumental stillness." Nigel said it was so dynamic, and it was proof that these were 2 or 3 or 4 couples that would make this season of SYTYCD outstanding.

Gev and Courtney danced a hip-hop number by Cecily and Alyssa to "Lights, Camera, Action" by Mr. Cheeks. I think everyone agreed that Courtney outdanced Gev. I can't say much about this number. It was not my thing at all. I thought the costuming was ridiculous, the movement cartoonish, and the chemistry forced if at all. The judges all agreed that this was just okay.

Jessica and Will did their second routine to a Mandy More Lyrical Jazz number, "Alone" by Heart. Okay, I finally saw the Will that the choreographers see in rehearsal. This piece was so fantastic to watch, and I loved both of them in it. The technical level of this dance was very difficult, and the movement was not predictable. T & N started in on Jessica, but Mary complimented them both on their lines and their passion. Nigel also remarked that there were some meltdowns in rehearsals, but that they brought it on stage. I would like to hear more about that, but for now I will just watch it one more time.

Comfort and Thayne danced their second piece to an Edward Simons Smooth Waltz. The piece was set to "Hov Arek Sarer Jan" by Neew Age Armenia. This dance was gorgeous, and Comfort almost looked like a different woman altogether. I thought they made the lifts look effortless and that they looked very comfortable in the style. T & N really enjoyed it, but T thought Thayne's ending pose rang false. Mary loved it and she is the expert. Nigel thought it was smooth and very beautiful.

Kourtni and Matt did a mambo by Alex Da Silva to "Ban-Con-Tim " by Super All-Star. The long legs on these two just seemed to get in the way on the lifts in this piece. It was awkward, and there was not enough hips on either dancer to make this feel sexy. T & N thought it was rough. Mary didn't believe the chemistry. (what chemistry?) Nigel thought Matt needed to be more macho.

Chelsea and Mark performed their second dance to "It's My Life" by Paul Anka, a foxtrot choreographed for them by Edward Simons. I loved this piece, and thought it was like an old movie classic. These two are so professional, and really brought a level of joy to the number. T & N said you can just see every time they get on stage that they love to dance. Mary thought it was elegant. Nigel thought that Mark looked uncomfortable and was on his toes too much. (huh?)

Twitch and Kherrington danced their second piece to "Dreaming with a Broken Heart " by John Mayer, a contemporary piece by Mia Michaels. This will be the piece that everyone will remember because of the concept, the choreography, but most importantly the dancers. There was a moment where Twitch takes a deep breath, and I could feel it. Anyone who has ever had a loss could feel this emotion in this dance. Incredible. There was a build up to the moment when both dancers looked at each other, and the connection was heartbreaking and real T & N used words like awesome and amazing. Mary thought Mia outdid herself. Nigel said they connected and were believeable, and that any dancer that gets to work with Mia is lucky. This is really true.

Katee and Joshua did a west coast swing number choreographed by season two winner Benji Schwimmer. The piece was set to "Shake It" by Brother Yusef. I love Benji when he does his thing, and this choreography was fun and challenging and I thought they did a great job. Did they bring the quirkiness that Benji did? No, but I didn't mind. I love these two dancers. T & N thought they were on fire. Mary screamed. Nigel thoght they proved they can adapt to different styles easily.

Courtney and Gev did a Broadway routine by Andy Blankenbuehler to "New York, New York," by Bernstein, Comden and Green. The judges raved about it. I really did enjoy it, but there was something a little Parker Posey in Courtney's performance that smacked of "Waiting for Guffman". I almost get the giggles. For all the problems Gev had getting noticed in the hip hop routine, he was great in this!

BEST OF THE NIGHT.
Joshu and Katee's Contemporary
Twitch and Kherrington's Contemporary
Jessica and Will's Lyrical Jazz


WORST OF THE NIGHT

Courtney and Gev's hip-hop
Kourtni and Matt's hip-hop


I think that Matt and Kourtni will go, and if Comfort and Thayne don't really nail it next week, they will be right behind them. No question about the top four couples, It is that 5th spot in the top 10 that is up for grabs and next Wednesday will decide it.