What a great night of dance! I don’t know about you, but I’m really looking forward to this Season. It’s literally sad that 4 dancers have to go home next week. And it’s really hard to choose who will be heading ut the door.
I thought it was interesting that BOTH ballroom girls got routines in their styles. I think Nigel may want them to stick around for awhile. Also, pairing up the two quirksters, Amelia and Will was total genius. I expect they will both become fan favorites!
The episode opens with a group dance choreographed by Christopher Scott
Cat Deeley introduces YOUR Top 20 dancers! Ha ha Whitney runs right into another dancer. OOPS. The voice over guy stumbles on the intro. OOPS.
Tonight’s judges are Mary Murphy, Kenny Ortega and Nigel Lythgoe.
Cat introduces Mary as “Mia Michaels” is Mercury in retrograde?
Fans will vote for individuals instead of couples. Two boys and Two girls will leave next week. Everyone will dance again The judges will decide who goes home from the bottom 3.
Each of the Top 20 will tell up about themselves in 9 seconds!
Whitney and Chehon – Latin by Louis Van Amstel – “Jump” by the Cube Guys – Whitney is ballroom and Chehon is ballet, so this could be interesting! C’MON CHEHON! SHAKE THAT ASS! He’s a beautiful dancer, but he’s a little stiff. He gets a pass for being out of his comfort zone. Whitney, naturally, shined brightly in her specialty. She’s a fantastic dancer. Nigel says Whitney is a firecracker. He calls her a star. Nigel says he was overcompensating for his turnout. He advises him to relax. Mary loved the routine. Chehon had some foot problems, but she feels he can really move. Mary simply puts Whitney on THE TRAIN WHOO HOO. Kenny compared her to Marilyn in “Some Like it Hot”. He agrees that Chehon needs to surrender to the work.
Whitney – 1-855-464-3701 – Text Whitney to 83676
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Tiffany and George – Contemporary by Sonya Tayeh – “Turning Page” by Sleeping at Last – The routine is about two lovers who become one. A sweeping, beautiful and romantic routine from Sonya. Both dancers embodied her vision beautifully. Very fluid and effortless. Mary is breathless. “You both surrendered to this choreography. George, you are a phenomenal dancer. Tiffany–the strength to make it look effortless. It connected. You connected with each other.” Kenny loved Sonya’s choreographer. “You did surrender. You were there for one another. It was exquisite to watch. You spilled it.” Nigel notes that Sonya is going through a “soft” period. Nigel loves them as a couple. They dance “right through to the fingertips.” Nigel loved the vulnerability. “I think America is going to love you two.”
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Janaya and Brandon – Lyrical Hip Hop by Napoleon and Tabitha – “Take Care” by Drake and Rihanna – The story is about an alcoholic who must choose between the bottle and his love. I’m glad that had a happy ending. A contemporary dancer and a stepper! Brandon is the real standout here. I couldn’t take my eyes off of him, overshadowing Janaya who faded into the background by comparison. Kenny loves that Hip Hop is turning into a deeper language. He believed every word of the story. Nigel felt Nappy Tabs smoothed it out for the couple that let them get away with a few things. Janaya needs to hit harder, he feels. Mary loves how deep Brandon went into character, but Janaya needs to be a little more gritty.
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Alexa and Daniel – Jazz by Sean Cheesman – Hey Hey by Dennis Ferrer – It was a very demanding, fast paced dance routine. Nigel was right–the audience may have a hard time connecting to the hard edges. The routine was akin to a geometric painting, but it was mesmerizing in spots. I really liked the use of the scaffolding. Nigel notes that Sean is extremely demanding. It’s never ending! It’s difficult to make a connection. he hopes the audience appreciates how difficult it was. He felt they were putting on a smiley facade. Mary thought it was exciting. She liked seeing Daniel smile, because he’s normally so serious as a ballet dancer. Kenny would have liked to see more investment in the performance.
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Amber and Nick – Viennese Waltz by Jason Gilkison – “Nights in White Satin” by Tina Arean – Hm. I’m thinking Nick is cannon fodder. He got a negative edit in his choreo session, with Jason scolding him. The performance itself was very beautiful and flowing, but the waltz can be kind of boring. Mary thought the whole thing was just “dreamy”. Amber pulled it off for the most part, she felt. Nick, in his own style, was absolutely phenomenal, says Mary. Kenny called the rountine fluid, flowing and lovely. Nigel compares Jason to Abby Lee Miller WHO WAS SITTING IN THE AUDIENCE. Nigel cautions Nick not to pull an anxious face. Amber did a very nice job, he felt. He cautions that the Waltz isn’t typically exiting enough to pull in the votes.
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Amelia and Will – Hip Hop by Tabitha and Napoleon – “The Love Cats” by The Cure – The routine is about KITTY CAT PURSUIT. An homage to Top Kat! It’s total CUTE OVERLOAD with these two. They could have a quirk off, they are both so lovable. A routine about a street cat who pursues his sexy feline was perfect for the pair. Ha. Kenny thinks the routine is a wonderful mashup of styles. Fun. Charming. Loved it. Nigel says, “another great partnership.” They have chemistry because they are both quriky. Nigel thinks it was a memorable routine, but more Jazz Hop than Hip Hop. Mary thought it was PURRRFECT. A perfect routine for the two of them.
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Janelle and Dareian – African Jazz by Sean Cheesman – “The Jungle” by Hilight Taibe – Janelle is a belly dancer, but is obviously well-versed in many styles. Dareian is SO strong and impressive. This was a difficult routine, but both dancers brought charisma and edge to their performances. Nigel thinks the duo is so exciting. OMG Janelle had 5 stitches after she smacked her head on a door during the green mile. He loved Darein’s piourrttes. Nigel thinks they will both do really well. Mary thinks they are both winners. Dareian is a little powerhouse, she says. Kenny loved the choreo. He felt as if he was watching two flames dance across the dance floor.
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It’s time to look at some Dance Day submissions from fans. We’re plugging National Dance Day which takes place on July 31.
Eliana and Cyrus – Broadway by Tyce Diorio – “Run and Tell That” from Hairspray – Cyrus the robot will be dancing Broadway. OK And his partner is a ballet dancer. OMG. Cyrus acquits himself nicely, even if he isn’t a great dancer. Lots of personality and enthusiasm! I suspect Cyrus is one of those B boys who have studied some dance along the way. Except Nigel will never admit it. Eliana was overshadowed a bit by Cyrus’s infectious personality. I hope she gets to dance in a routine that’s closer to her own style. Her talent was wasted a little here. A Mary thought they brought great personality to the routine. Cyrus has an extraordinary heart, she says. Eliana is a ballerina who “Just gets down.” Kenny felt like he was in New York watching it. The personalities were on fire. Nigel “Who would have ever thought you would be doing a Broadway routine!” Nigel loves how Cryus immerses himself. He hopes America gives him a chance. Nigel felt it didn’t show off Eliana’s brilliance.
Eliana – 1-855-464-3708 – Text Eliana to 83676
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Audrey and Matthew – Contemporary by Travis Wall – “Unchained Melody” by the Righteous Brothers – His routine takes place on the Titanic. This will probably be the routine of the night. GORGEOUS, sweeping and intricate. Travis is AMAZING. Audrey and Matthew have a ton of chemistry. The judges gave THAT a standing ovation. Kenny says, “Exquisite…gorgeous…bravo.” It was Nigel’s favorite routine. The movement was just perfect, he says. Big props to Travis AND the dancers. Mary calls it “breathtaking.”
Audrey – 1-855-464-3709 – Text Audrey to 83676
Matthew – 1-855-464-4609 – Text Matthew to 83676
Lindsay and Cole – Paso Doble by Jason Gilkison – “Unstoppable” – Cole has so much charisma. I love his blend of martial arts and dance. It’s hard not to watch him. Lindsay was the weaker of the two female ballroom dancers who made the cut, but she’s great too (She should be). Kenny calls it electrifying and mesmerizing. Mary thought it was firey. She was REALLY REALLY EXCITED. Nigel says it was the best paso doble ANY boy has done on the show. Nigel felt Lindsay held her own up against the dynamic Cole.
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