Top performance of the night in my book!
Brandon & Janette danced disco to ‘Loving is Really My Game’ by Brainstorm. Choreographed by Doriana Sanchez- who infused wacking and salsa into the dance- the So You Think You Can Dance couple paralleled each other at dancing disco at an extremely insane pace. It’s probably the fastest disco dancing that’s ever been seen. Even Lil C, who didn’t like Brandon Bryant in the beginning of SYTYCD, was enthusiastic and admitted that Brandon was phenomenal. He said that Brandon and dance partner Janette Manrara were ‘two amazing dancers’ and this was the birth of progression in them. Mary joked that they were jet-propelled and said they had ‘nailed it’. She joked that Brandon needed more strength and that Janette needed more flexibility. This guy and doll danced with ceaseless energy, tremendous ability, and great charm.
The other eight couples, in order of performance!-
Randi Evans & Evan Kasprzak danced jive to ‘Twist It’ (Shake Your Tailfeather) by the Blues Brothers and Ray Charles, Although they were very good, they could have been better according to the judges Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy, along with guest judge Lil C. Still, they were very, very good.
Tower of strength and naughty ballerina, Ade & Melissa danced Contemporary to ’24 Hours’ by Israeli electro band Terry Poison, choreographed by Sonya Tayeh. The theme was about a guy who wants a girl who doesn’t want him. Shirtless and in black leather pants, Ade Obayomi was very sexy. As was Melissa Sandvig looking Barbarella-vamp in a black bra and tight shiny hot-pink capris. After their performance, Cat Deely said the dancers were ‘like two naughty rock and roll imps up to no good’. Mary said it was time to give the pair some tough love. As the audience booed, she shouted, “Because it was tough to find anything I didn’t love.” The audience cheered wildly! I love these two dancers, together and individually. They are crazy awesome!
Jason & Caitlin, who danced Bollywood-style so brilliantly last week, fell short this week with a hip hop dance choreographed by Shane Sparks. ‘Missing You’ by Trey Songz was the song. The theme was that the girl leaves the guy and he’s longing for her. Caitlin Kinney remains my top favorite. But this was a tough week for her and Jason Glover after their incredible success last week.
The fourth performance was by Brandon & Janette (see top of the list!).
Vitolio Jeune & Asuka Kondoh waltzed with emotional pain and spirituality as intended by choreographer Louis van Amstel, a Dutch ballroom dance champion, Dressed in shades of blue hues and under dimmed lights, the couple expressed their deep emotions gracefully to Enya’s ‘Dreams Are More Precious’. Lacking personality last week, they emoted beautifully this week. Mary was crying. She said it was ‘painfully beautiful’ and that their performance was honest, unlike last week. The judges unanimously loved it.
In this dance, Max Kapitannikov wants to steal the princess’s throne. Kayla Radomski is the princess, who is clad in a feathery confection of bright colors like those of a tropical bird piñata. The music was ‘Hot Like Wow’ by British singer-rapper beauty Nadia Oh; the choreography was by Brian Friedman, who divvies his time between the two ‘L’s- Los Angeles and London. Max & Kayla did very well but Kayla did so well that Mary said ‘you have danced not one wrong step since the day we saw you! You are still on the hot tamale train! Scream‘!
Jonathan & Karla wowed us with a contemporary dance to ‘Falling Slowly’ by Frames playing strangers in love, choreographed by newcomer to America’s SYTYCD Stacey Tookey, who is considered to be the best choreographer on Canada’s SYTYCD. Host Cat Deeley announced that she’d had the first Deeley chills of the season. Last week, Jonathan Platero& Karla Garcia disappointed the judges. This week, they astounded them and kept them spellbound. Lil C said their performance was ‘buck’, which in this context means, according to the urban dictionary, ‘gettin’ wild and uncontrollably crazy’! In fact, Mary said something she said she’s never said before- Jonathan did contemporary dance better than his own specialty, which is Latin ballroom.
Phillip & Jeanine danced the tango as choreographed by Tony Meredith, a U.S. Latin champion along with partner Melanie LaPatin. Phillip Chbeeb is untrained and, as Nigel said, it was like taking someone off the street and asking him to do the tango. His lack of training showed up tremendously this week. Jeanine Mason did a great job. But her trained technique showed up Phillip’s lack.
Kupono & Ashley unfortunately underwhelmed Nigel and the other judges. Mary said they weren’t memorable and that there was nothing to pick out of their dance that was. They danced hip hop to choreography by Shane Sparks. This was Shane’s second disappointment of the night. The two weakest pairs were choreographed by him. The first comprised Jason & Caitlin. Last week, I predicted that Tony & Paris would go and they did. This week, I predict Kupono Aweau & Ashley Valerio are the next to go home- incidental to the fact that they’re a pair.
** To read more from this author, CLICK HERE.
