The Road to the Top 4

Tonight is going to be jammed full of great dance (I hope) and so I am going to skip my usual babble and get right to the show. Cat is looking especially tall and slender in royal blue. Tragically we have to listen to Lil'C and his messed up analogies tonight. The only thing I would appreciate less is another evening with Toni Basil. Let's talk, shall we?

Top 3 Boys
Contemporary with Sonya Tayeh "True Romance" Revenge
This piece was Sonya's take on Willie Wonka, and it was fierce. This was quirky, and had such sharp movement mixed with some amazing turns and leaps. The guys brought the strength and personality required to make it greatly entertaining. I sure hope they do it on 10/31 (heck yes I bought tickets).
Lil'C commended them all. Mary just loved it, yes she did. Nigel thought Evan stood out in a good way. The choreography was smart and the guys all performed the heck out of it. No standout for me, they were all good.

Ade and Jeanine
Samba with Louis Van Amstel (Who is totally HOT) "Love Game" Lady Gaga
I thought it was sexy and fun, but let's be honest, what do I know about ballroom? Everytime I enjoy one of these, Mary tears it to shreds. Guess what? She thought it fell apart and looked way too novice for this caliber of a show. Lil'C thought that Jeanine looked amazing but thought it fell short (there wasn't an explosion of excellence apparently). Nigel thought Jeanine did everything with confidence and looked fabulous. He picked on Ade, but mostly blamed it on height.It was fun, but not memorable.

Kayla's solo "You Found Me" The Fray
I actually saw a little more in this choreography than just gorgeous lines and beautiful control. Maybe it was hearing that the judges felt that Janette shouldn't have gone home, but I saw something more of Kayla in that dance. I just wish she wouldn't pick so many overplayed tunes for her solos.

Melissa and Evan
Broadway with Tyce Diorio "Get me to the Church on Time" from My Fair Lady
This was 100% Evan's genre and he looked like he had a blast during this number. Sometimes Tyce gets a little too corny for me, but with Evan he met his match. I am not going to lie, My Fair Lady is like my least favorite musical, but I was able to enjoy this routine because of what these dancers brought to it. It was pretty darling. Lil'C wanted an A+, but only got an A (do you see what I am saying about Lil'C?). Mary thought it was fun and entertaining. Nigel thought they were both great. Like I told my kids when they would fret over the 1 point they missed from the perfect paper, an A is an A in my book.

Ade "16th Floor Balcony" Blue October
I love to watch the joy in Ade's dancing. He has so much strength in his turns and such depth to his movement. It was a another solid routine.

Kayla and Brandon
Contemporary with Stacy Tookey "All I Want" Ahn Trio
This was a story about the mistress of a married man. This had an intensity that was so interesting. Kayla was able to bring a little more complexity to this routine. Brandon was so strong in his character, plus his tour jeté was like a mile off of the floor, and a thing of beauty. There was a lot of great partnering and I have to think anyone lucky enough to have pulled this choreography would have made it beautiful. Lil'C thought it was intense, beyond amazing. Mary thought they were still on the hot tamale train. Nigel thought the technique was brilliant.

Melissa "I Put a Spell on You" Nina Simone
I have to say anytime I hear Nina Simone's voice, I pay attention. I thought Melissa did her usual solid performance, but I was looking for a little more edge.

Jeanine and Ade
Hip Hop with Tabitha and Napolean "Move (If You Wanna)" MIMS
This story was about friends getting evicted from their apartment. It had some great prop work with a bunch of boxes and the footage before they started was pretty funny. Once these two got on stage it was all seriousness, and it was really hard hitting and in synch. Ade must have been worried after the bad review on his samba because he pushed it with his hip hop technique. It was highly entertaining and they danced it really well. Lil'C thought it was earthy and dirty. Mary thought it was a great performance. Nigel told them that they took notes and made it great.

Melissa and Evan
Quick Step with Louis Van Amstel "As Long as I'm Singing" Brian Setzer Orchestra
Have I mentioned how HOT Louis Van Amstel is? Ok, despite the height difference, their lack of ballroom training, I thought this was fairly entertaining. I know nothing about what they are supposed to be doing, but I enjoyed it. Will it keep them both in? I don't know. This dance has been the kiss of death for plenty of dancers, and I feel like they pull it out everytime they are trying to ditch someone. Lil'C thought Evan danced bigger than ever. Mary thought their form fell apart and she was disappointed. Nigel didn't think it was the best routine of the night, but he enjoyed it.

Brandon "O' Fortuna" from Carmina Burana
This was a redo of Brandon's audition piece from the last two seasons, but it was every bit as gorgeous and even though Caitlin (my partner for the evening) was like-"already seen it" I enjoyed the third viewing. Brandon's strength and control are amazing and this was for me the solo to beat. He got a standing O from all three judges.

Jeanine "Feedback" Janet Jackson
I love the way this girl puts so much of her personality on stage. I know the critics say she has a formula for her solo, but I have enjoyed every one of her performances. Unlike Kayla, she almost never falls out of a turn, and her choice of music is always compelling as well as her interpretation of it.

Evan "Lady is a Tramp" Sammy Davis Jr.
This was a fantastic way for Evan to close out the evening. He was channeling "Singing in the Rain" or something, because I thought it was a perfect solo, even if it was similar to what he always does.

Brandon and Kayla
Disco with Doriana Sanchez "Dance (Disco Heat)" Sylvester
This had great energy and lifts and these two dancers gave it 100%. I could have done without the double death drop. I just didn't think it was that smooth, but this was off the hook as far as pushing dancers to the brink of collapse, and they dealt with it well. If I am being honest, I much preferred Janette and Brandon's earlier disco, even with their little stumble.This, for me was desperate and almost a little ridiculous. Lil'C, omg, spit it out already! Blah blah blah, crap about darkness and ears and pockets-can't you just say you liked it? Mary thought they hit a home run with both of their numbers. Nigel started jumping around like a lunatic. Cat says the line of the evening when she tells Nigel to "take the tablets". Cat is a girl after my own heart. I think the judges are trying really hard to keep these two out of the bottom.

Top 3 Girls
Contemporary with Sonya Tayeh "Kick It (Super Heroes Remix) Nina Martine
Sonya wanted to make these girls superheroes because she always wanted to be one. Jeanine is Wonder Woman, Kayla is Storm and poor Melissa end up a powerpuff girl. This routine was (in Mia's words) A-mazing. This was perfectly performed. There were some great moments, but despite all of Kayla's extra leaps, my eyes were on Jeanine. This was so cool I re watched it. Lil'C exhausted me from his comments and I have no idea if he was criticizing it or commending it at the end. Mary thought it was the epitome of strong, versatile, and flexible. Nigel made some totally pervvy comment about Jeanine's costume.

Who goes home? I think we may be surprised. I have to say that I like all three guys and girls so it will be sad to see anyone go home. I think it will Melissa and Ade, even though Ade is my favorite guy. I think there are some Evan fanatics out there that will keep him in this thing. I love Melissa, but out of the three girls, I think she will be the one to go. We won't have long to wait until season 6, they have moved up the first show to the first week of September. I guess I will be up late blogging the entire year! Tune in tonight for the unveiling of the top 4!