Mary Murphy’s Hot Tamale Train pulled into the So You Think You Can Dance television studio once again, and welcomed into the first-class car were the first pair of dancers of the evening, Janette Manrara, 25, from Hialeah, Fl and Brandon Bryant, 19, who hails from Salt Lake City, UT.
A hot little cha cha cha danced by Janette and Brandon to The Pussycat Dolls’ “Hush Hush Hush Hush”, and choreographed by Jean Marc and France Genereu drew high praise from all three of the judges, Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy and choreographer Mia Michaels.
Lythgoe termed the performance “the best (cha cha cha) that I have ever seen on this show” – and he called Brandon the “Michaelangelo of the dance floor.”
Murphy immediately handed “two first-class tickets” on the Hot Tamale Train to the pair – and additionally rewarded them with three of her famous screams. Michaels called the performance, “Brilliant.”
Next to dance, Kayla Radomski, 18, and Kupono Aweau, 23, also drew praise from the judges. Their contribution to the evening was a Sonya Freya choreographed contemporary performance to Blue Foundation’s “Eyes On Fire.”
Lythgoe called the dance “fabulous,” and explained, “There are so many good things to like, so much technique. It was tremendous.”
Murphy enthused, “These two are alive and kicking. It really was tremendous, played to your strengths. … And the chemistry between you had an electric feel.”
Michaels agreed and told Kupono that “every week you get better and better.”
The evening continued as Randi Evans, 23, and Evan Kasprzak, 21, moved the audience into a ‘Broadway’ mood with their Joey Dowling choreographed performance to “Rich Man’s Frug.”
Lythgoe thought that the couple performed well, but said that he was just a little disappointed. Murphy echoed Lythgoe’s sentiments, “It was your style, and you did it very well. It could have been a little better, but it was entertaining.” And Michaels added, “You have to that it to the next level because of your height. I expected more.”
Jason Glover, 21, and Caitlin Kinney, 21, donned some “strange” costumes for a Brian Friedman pop-jazz number that had Caitlin in the role of an alien looking to procreate with, Jason, the last man on earth.
Several of the judges found this number weird. But Lythgoe told the pair, “You have to commit 100 percent to a number, and you did.” Michaels theorized that Friedman simply wanted them to have fun. And Murphy, “I think that Brian is out of this world right now. It did not play to your strengths, and did not sit well with me. I love the two of you to pieces and hope that you will not be in trouble.”
Jeanine Mason, 18, and Phillip Chbeeb, 20, were chain-bound, literally, in a Tabitha and Napoleon hip-hop to Kayne West’s “Love Lockdown.” They twisted and whirled, all the while in danger of becoming entangled in the long chain – but in the end accomplished the entire number with no difficulty.
Lythgoe “really liked them. If you keep dancing like that, you should be chained together for life.” Murphy hailed the choreography as “absolutely, incredibly creative” – and she told the dancers, “You absolutely take my breath away.” Michaels felt distracted by the chains, but complimented the pair on doing a great job.
And in one of the most captivating moments of the evening, Melissa Sandvig, 29, and Ade Obayomi, 20, presented the show’s first ever Classical pas de deux to Romeo and Juliet. Choreographed by Thoral Christiensen, the pair exhibited flowing beauty and physical control in their character roles.
Lythgoe said it was “wonderful, beautifully done.” Murphy said that she “loved it. The chemistry was flawless.” And in describing Melissa, she said, “She had wings. I didn’t want to wake up.” Michaels opined that it is impossible to fake classical ballet – and that Melissa was a “true ballerina.”
The final couple, Karla Garcia, 23, and Vitolio Jeune, 26, returned a lively atmosphere with a Jean Marc and France Genereux choreographed quick step to “Puttin’ on the Ritz.” During the number, Karla, with a swifty flip of the hand, completely changed the appearance of her costume – and the couple proceeded with the confidence of seasoned ballroom performers.
Lythgoe termed this entertaining and filled with good footwork. Murphy issued compliments that included a “bam boom.” And Michaels told Karla, “He needed you, and you did step up.”
Our Mary Murphy meter placed Janette and Brandon, in their first-class Hot Tamale Train seats, atop the evening’s Murphy leaderboard. They were followed by Kayla and Kupono who also had seats on the train. Next in line were Jeanine and Phillip, and Melissa and Ade.
And appearing most in danger of being named into the bottom two couples were Randi and Evan, and Jason and Caitlin – with the added couple most probably being Karla and Vitolio.
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