SYTYCD Top 20 Performance!

June 10, 2009 at 7:43 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Good evening dance fans…this is WriterMarie426, and before I start the recap of tonight’s show I must pass along the sad news that our beloved Tink (aka Sharon Balik) passed away suddenly yesterday. I will always be grateful for her support and everything she has taught me here, and also for the wonderful friendship we had developed. I wish I’d had more time with her, but I’m thankful to God for bringing us together for the amount of time we did have. Many of you have known her or read her work a lot longer than I have, and I know you will all join me in a prayer for Sharon and her family, friends, and colleagues. Sammi and I will carry on, but always be thinking of Sharon. She would have absolutely loved tonight’s show, and I know she is watching it from a much better place.

Now I will carry on with the recap…Sharon would want us to show our passion for the dance and get the job done. This first week the Top 20 are paired off into 10 couples, who will dance for votes as a couple. The bottom three couples will need to all perform solos on tomorrow’s show to decide who will be saved and who will go home. One male and one female dancer will go home tomorrow night.

Cat welcomes us to Hollywood as our 20 dancers are introduced, showing off a few of their moves. After that opening, she introduces the judges: Nigel, Mary, and Adam Shankman. We also find out just what a busy man Adam is…while judging SYTYCD he is also producing three movies. One of these is Step Up 3D, which will feature a few of the dancers from past seasons of this show.

After a montage from our audition cities, our first couple performs. Jeanine says when she started dancing as a little girl she was a hot mess, but her passion for dancing brought her through. Phillip invented and practiced his moves in his bedroom. They are being choreographed by Tabitha and Napoleon, who create a routine about a couple that needs to resolve some issues before they go to sleep for the night. They act out the parts well, performing a beautiful routine to “Mad” by Ne-Yo.

Adam calls it “unfreakin’ real”, praising Jeanine for stepping it up when she has had no previous Hip-Hop experience. He also likes that Phillip is always generous and present for his partners. Mary says she hates to disagree with Adam…so she’s not! She loves that Tabitha and Napoleon made it work for the couple, and says they gave us a chemistry lesson. Nigel calls Jeanine fantastic and says she’s made her mark, while Phillip is so good and has a huge following.

Next up are Asuka and Vitolio. Asuka grew up in San Francisco learning ballet, but discovered Latin Ballroom while she was at college and fell in love with it. Vitolio grew up in an orphanage when his mother died giving birth to his sister. Tyce is choreographing this number as a silent film set with Asuka as an actress and Vitolio as the director. It was a cute, funny routine done to “Hot Honey Rag” from Chicago.

Adam says it was hard because they followed an extremely emotional performance, but for him it seemed artificial even though the routine was clean and good. Mary is a little disappointed, feeling that they played it safe and needed to bring more energy to the performance. Nigel believes their lines were beautiful, but they need to put their personalities into it.

Our first ballroom routine of the night is by Karla and Jonathan. Karla has been testing the waters in her dance career, even touring with the show Wicked, but she likes the challenge of this show. Jonathan says he started dancing because of Season 1 of SYTYCD. Tony Meredith choreographs a flirty Cha-Cha for them. They do a very hot and sexy routine to Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face”.

Adam says it was awesome and technically beautiful. The only thing he thinks Jonathan needs to work on is more flexibility in his back. Mary screams, calling it rough and fun. Nigel believes this pair has been under the radar up until tonight, praising their chemistry.

Randi and Evan are our next pair. This was Randi’s 3rd audition for the show. Actually being on the show is surreal for her, since she was raised a country girl. Evan says it’s bittersweet that he moved on without his brother Ryan. They perform a jazz number choreographed by Tyce, which is physically and emotionally demanding. It is a sensuous and strong performance to “I Only Have Eyes For You” by Jamie Cullum.

Adam calls them slightly vertically challenged, but says they did everything the piece required and more. Mary says the two of them moved ahead in the pack for her…and screams. Nigel calls them absolutely fantastic, saying that people will be talking about the two of them.

We are back to Hip-Hop from Paris and Tony. Paris was in a car accident that left her left leg numb from the knee down. She thought it would be the end of her dancing, but she kept with it. Tony grew up doing sports and dance, even being offered a college scholarship for lacrosse, but decided to go with dancing. Tabitha and Napoleon choreograph a hard-core Hip-Hop routine for them to “Let the Beat Rock” by the Black Eyed Peas. They stayed tough and in character throughout the dance.

Adam says it was really good, but they needed more rebound after their attacks. Mary doesn’t think it was memorable. Nigel agrees with Mary, saying they need a lot of growth.

Our next number comes from Caitlyn and Jason. Caitlyn started off as a gymnast in Annapolis, Maryland. Jason is from Fresno and always did sports…he never thought he’d be a dancer. They are doing a Bollywood number choreographed by Nikule, and they have to get used to using more hand and finger muscles. They give us a strong, energetic performance to “Jai Ho” from Slumdog Millionaire.

Adam says they rocked, praising their superb handwork and ability to make it look effortless. Mary is glad Bollywood came to Hollywood, and loves the costumes and charisma. She also praises Caitlyn’s handstand. Nigel says they brought it tonight, and it was a special routine right from the beginning.

Our next ballroom routine is a Foxtrot from Janette and Brandon. Janette was scared to audition. She is Cuban and learned her dancing at home, and is nervous about learning a new style. Brandon says what Mia and Lil C said about him hit him hard, and he’s going to prove them wrong. Louis Van Amstel choreographs a Fred and Ginger type routine for them. They perform a smooth Foxtrot to “Come Fly With Me” by Michael Buble, with a lot of great lifts.

Adam says he was worried about a Foxtrot coming right off of the Bollywood number, but it worked. He praises their character and performance. Cat asks Mary for an eyebrow…and Mary says she can’t because of Botox! Mary then praises Janette for being able to go from Miami fire and spice to an elegant Foxtrot. She calls Brandon a powerhouse, and says anyone who doesn’t think he has talent is crazy. Nigel loves their beautiful grace and framework.

Our seventh couple of the night is Ashley and Kupono. Ashley finally made it to the Top 20 in her 4th audition, and says she learned to never give up. Kupono currently is a teacher and tries to make ends meet by also working with his dad’s cleaning business. They perform a jazz number choreographed by Wade Robson, who created this as two crash test dummies, one worn out and the other brand new. The number is definitely an original done to “Felt Mountain” by Goldfrapp, and the pair stay in character, even after the dance is over.

Adam says people will either love or hate a number like this. He praises their exquisite technique. Mary buys it 100% and calls it entertaining. Nigel loves the memorable choreography by Wade, calling him a true genius. He enjoys how they adhered to the characters and took us to a completely different world.

The next routine is from Melissa and Ade. Melissa has been a ballerina since she was 5, and is now 29. She calls herself the most seasoned dancer of the group. Ade studies music and sound engineering at Chapman University. Mandy Moore choreographs a contemporary number for them about two people first falling in love. It is a romantic number with beautiful lifts, performed to “Right Here Waiting” by Richard Marx.

Adam is crying, telling them how special it was. He says Melissa proves she is getting better with age, and he likes Ade’s profound quiet power. Mary screams, praising their quality of movement and believability from the beginning. Nigel loves the fact that this is such a great Top 20 this season, and says there is a lot to look forward to from this pair.

Our last couple tonight are Kayla and Max with the Samba. Kayla is so grateful for her grandparents’ support from Aurora, Colorado. Max is originally from Moscow, but came to the United States at 13. His younger brother died in a car accident 5 years ago. They are being choreographed by Louis Van Amstel, which was a lucky draw for Max because Louis has known him since he was 14. They perform a hot, fast routine to “Jum Bah Day” by House of Gypsies. Their Samba rolls are beautiful!

Adam believes it was so good that he can’t even really contain himself. He says that routine proves there is a God. Mary…screams! (while Nigel puts on his headphones) Then she tells them they are on the hot tamale train! Nigel calls it truly sensational, saying they topped off a brilliant night.

After we see the recap of the couples and are reminded to vote, Cat tells us that the special guest for tomorrow night show is Sean Kingston. Good night everyone…tune in tomorrow!