Finale Part One

This is the finale week, and SYTYCD must be reaching new heights because the venue is now the Kodak Theatre. The larger stage got mixed reviews from the viewers at my house. My mom thought all of the lighting made it difficult to watch the dancing. I loved the larger stage and the great energy from the audience, but at times the way it was shot did make me dizzy. Cat had an absolutely heinous dress on that looked like a silver sack that she semi belted. She saved the worst outfit of the season for the finale? Adam joined the judging panel this evening, and at times I felt like he could have done the task alone. Let’s get to it, shall we?

THE GROUP

"Boys Boys Boys," Lady Gaga (Pop-Jazz, Wade Robson)
This had me cracking up. I was not expecting this from Wade at all, and it was great to see the dancers interact with each other in a completely humorous way. I thought Evan stepped it up and looked like he belonged. I didn’t see anything genius, but it certainly put all of the dancers at ease and started the night off on a fun note.

COUPLES

Jeanine & Evan
"Heartbreaker," MSTRKRFT f. John Legend (Jazz, Sonya Tayeh)
This was probably my favorite couple routine of the evening. The story was a girl who is over her boyfriend, but he can’t let go. Jeanine really captured the essence of the character, starting off trying to get free and feeling maybe a little bad, but by the end being angry and ready to be out. Evan did well staying up with her, and I thought he did a great job bringing the desperation. The judges loved it.

Kayla & Brandon
"Bye Bye Love," All That Jazz (Broadway, Tyce Diorio)
Okay I am a Fosse freak, and I loved this movie. I thought Brandon was channeling Ben Vereen, and at the beginning I as really loving it, but the routine lost something in the middle for me. Despite the judges raving about how together they were, that fouttee section was not on.

Brandon & Evan
"Nasty," Janet Jackson (Pop-Jazz, Laurie Ann Gibson)
Poor Evan, this just didn’t work for him on many levels. He isn't nasty, he isn't badass and technically his flaws really stand out next to Brandon. On a side note, I don’t get Laurie Ann Gibson. What is up with the pink headphones? Why so angry? This just wasn’t my thing I guess.
Jeanine & Kayla
"The Four Sections: IV (Full Orchestra)," Steve Reich (Contemporary, Mia Michaels)
Kayla & Evan
I always appreciate a conceptual piece, and while I loved the movement, I don’t think the shedding of the clothing worked quite the way Mia intended. It was a huge distraction at times, and even though the dancers in my living room made me watch it twice, I still didn’t really enjoy it that much.
"T.R.O.U.B.L.E.," Travis Tritt (Jive, Tony Meredith & Melanie LaPatin)
Jeanine & Brandon
From the boots, to the chemistry, to the music, this was the most boring jive I have ever sat through. Even that lightening fast kiss at the end by Kayla didn’t rescue it.
"Tetsujin," The Matrix Revolutions (Paso Doble, Louis Van Amstel)
I actually loved the intensity and the performance aspect of this routine, but I was waiting for the big lift they practiced. What happened to it? I thought at the end of the day, these two were the standout performers, and although I would have rather they ended on something like hip hop, I did enjoy it.

SOLOS

Brandon Bryant - "Dies Irae," Karl Jenkins
Dude, what is up with the swim trunks? I thought it was completely spastic, and while I appreciate his greatness, I couldn’t wait for that one to end.

Jeanine Mason - "Por una Cabeza," The Tango Project
This was a masterpiece for me, and if she doesn’t win this thing after that solo it will be completely shocking. That turn sequence was unbelievable. She has the it factor, and add to that her amazing talent, she should win this by a landslide.

Evan Kasprzak - "The Best Is Yet to Come," Michael Bublé
Evan did a repeat performance of an earlier solo, and although I liked it, last week was a lot better. He has a bit of a glandular problem that someone in wardrobe forgot to address as well…. He should not be too worried though, he had the entire audience chanting his name.

Kayla Radomski - "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)," Eurythmics
While I appreciate Kayla’s technical excellence, her interview made we want to slap her silly. Really? Are you this artificial? I am hoping it is just the stress of being on TV that keeps her from presenting herself well. I have already forgotten her solo.
SUMMARY
4th place Kayla
3rd place Brandon
2nd place Evan (I don’t think he deserves it, but all that Evan bashing is going to backfire)
1st place Jeanine

I think that Nigel reached a new level of creepiness this evening, and even if some of it was unintentional, I think Jeanine will be glad not to be in skimpy costumes in front of him anymore. I hope he gets that under control for season 6. Vegas taping begins tomorrow!!!
Tune in for the finale. It will be a wild night at my house with all the dancers chatting a mile a minute. I promise to post the blog tomorrow much earlier. I had cocktails and couldn't trust my grammar last night.