The weeks march on – and fans get closer and closer to learning the identity of the next So You Think You Can Dance champion!
Mary Murphy once again played to fans with her trademark screams and tickets on the imaginary Hot Tamale Train – while judge Nigel Lythgoe reminded the dancers that the competition has advanced to a level where each must step up their routines and perform at their very best.
HIGHEST ON JUDGES’ COMMENTS -- AND THE MARY MURPHY HOT TAMALE TRAIN AND SCREAM MACHINE
First, Brandon Bryant, 19, and Janette Manrara, 25, seemed to steal the show – and it would be extremely surprising if they are not safe from inclusion in the Bottom Three couples who will be named on Thursday night.
Their first routine, a very sexy Argentine tango heavy with intricate footwork, ended with a standing ovation from all three judges. Murphy awarded pair a First Class ticket on the Hot Tamale Train, and Lythgoe exclaimed, “That was as close to perfection as I have seen on this stage forever.” The amazing routine “Libertango” was choreographed by Leonardo Barrionuevo and Miriam Laraici.
For the pair’s second performance, which was actually the final of the evening, Brandon and Janette excelled in a Wade Robson choreographed jazz dance to Roisin Murphy’s “Ruby Blue.” Murphy screamed that the show had “saved the best for last.” And Lythgoe said that if the couple did not draw the highest number of fan votes this week, he would be surprised.
HOT TAMALE TRAIN AND SCREAMS
Garnering lots of praise from the judges, Randi Evans, 23, and Evan Kasprzak, 21, first performed a hiphop to Beyone’s Halo, choreographed by Tabitha and Napoleon Dumo – about a young couple in love and expecting a baby.
Lythgoe found “a number of good things here” and called the couple one of his favorites. Murphy said that she was expecting a train wreck from Evan, but that they did very well. And screaming, she said that Randi is a standout in the competition.
Then the couple moved on to a samba dance to “Ritmo De Bom Bom” choreographed by Pasha Kovalev and Anya Garnis. Evan, Lythgoe said, was “strong” and Randi was “hot.” But he did add that the number was not quite as strong as he would have liked it. Murphy, though, said that while it might not have been hot, “there was a slow sizzle. It was a great routine.” And she placed Randi on the Hot Tamale Train.
Kayla Radomski, 18, and Kupono Aweau, 23, for their first dance, performed a Mia Michaels contemporary routine, depicting addiction, to Sara Bareilles’ “Gravity.” Lythgoe termed this a “powerful piece” – and Murphy hailed the “intensity” and the couples’ ability to stay in the character of the piece, welcoming them also aboard the Hot Tamale Train.
But in their second dance of the evening, a Joey Dowling interpretation to “The Dance at the Gym” from West Side Story, the judges’ comments were not as complimentary. Nigel found their performance “lacking in true emotion” – and Murphy said that she thought that they could have done more, but are nonetheless a “force to be reckoned with.”
Jeanine Mason, 18, and Phillip Chbeeb’s, 20, second dance of the night was a captivating jive to “Stuff Like That There” choreographed by Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin. In the number, Phillip is a sailor who has been away – and Jeanine teases him about what he has missed.
Nigel said that in this performance, “Phillip, without question this is the best you have been out of your own style.” And though he also thought that Jeanine was very good technically and “one of our top ten dancers,” he opined that this would likely not be enough to keep them out of the Bottom Three because of their earlier routine. Murphy screamed and placed Jeanine on the Hot Tamale Train.
The couple’s first number was a Russian Folk dance. Lythgoe praised the dancers, but lamented that in the dance “felt a little too folky” – that this gave him the need for a bit of Russian vodka. Murphy said that on the good side, they made it look believable and effortless.
This could be an instance where drawing the wrong dance results in excellent dancers falling into the Bottom Three couples.
SCREAMS FOR BOTH DANCES
Melissa Sandvig, 29, and Ade Obayomi, 20, first performed a disco to Destination’s “Move On Up” which Lythgoe said was so packed with energy that it was “an incredible start to the evening.” Murphy added, “Amen.” And screamed as she said the number gave her a “disco pick-me-up.”
The couple also drew screams from Murphy for a waltz to “A Natural Woman.” “Beautiful,” said Lythgoe, who added that Ade’s upper body strength was tremendous. Murphy agreed that it was beautiful in her eyes too – then gave a fairly light scream and said that Melissa was mesmerizing.
WITHOUT SCREAMS
Caitlin Kinney, 21, and Jason Glover’s, 21, first dance was a fox trot to “Minnie the Moocher.” Lythgoe said that the dancers “did some incredible things” – that Jason’s footwork was very good, and the dance was Caitlin’s style. Murphy found the performance “so cool and elegant.”
And the pair’s second dance, a lyrical jazz choreographed by Mandy Moor to “Show Me Heaven,” drew mild compliments from the judges. Lythgoe explained that technically the pair danced very well and there were some very nice lifts, but that he did not always see the chemistry between the two dancers. Murphy said that she sees the chemistry – and while they did a good job, she did not find it “memorable.”
Neither performance drew Murphy screams and, given that compliments seem tepid, this couple may well be voted into the Bottom Three.
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