It's not a review...really!
Posted: Friday, May 22, 2009 by Travis Cody inDisclaimer: The post you are about to read can in no way be construed as a review.
I know. I know. I KNOW!
Stop laughing.
I said I wasn't doing reviews until Top 20. Well, this isn't a review.
Really...it's not!
I said stop laughing!
This is just a collection of thoughts about the Season 5 premier of So You Think You Can Dance.
If you don't stop laughing...don't make me come over there!
So the first hour was auditions from New York. Of course we have Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy returning as judges. Joining them are Napoleon and Tabitha D'Umo.
And there were some dancers that really stood out for me.
There was a gal named Tiffany Geigel, born with a severe birth defect that fused her spine and stunted her growth. She danced beautifully. Nigel critiqued her dancing and gave her productive notes to improve. Only after that did he address her handicap, calling her an inspiration. The judges gave her a standing ovation for her effort, before telling her that she wouldn't continue in the competition. And she was ok with it, because she made her point. She dances because she loves it and because it's in her to dance.
There were a couple of ballroom dancers, Nina and Igor, that did a fantastic Cha Cha Cha. She did this incredible spin on the ball of her foot with her free leg barely off the ground. Mary called it a pot stir. Amazing. Igor made it through to Vegas, but not his partner.
There was a hip hop dancer that reminded me a bit of Twitch, last season's runner up. He wasn't as talented as a dancer, but he was a terrific performer and did well enough with choreography to make it to Vegas. His name is Chimezie.
41 dancers made it to Vegas out of New York.
In Denver, Nigel and Mary were joined as judges by Sonja Tayeh.
Right off the bat there is a gal named Kayla who is stunning. Her lines and shapes were amazing. She went straight through to Vegas.
There was a montage of what looked like 6 or 7 excellent lyrical/contemporary dancers. They didn't focus on anyone specific though. Presumably many or all of them made it to Vegas.
Well. Misha and Mitch dance a same sex Samba. One is straight and the other is gay. Technically they were a bit sub-standard. The judges were a bit confused by the routine, mainly because they switching between who did the lead and who did the follow. They went through to the choreography round, but neither made it through to Vegas, and it was about not being good enough dancers individually.
A couple of brothers caught my eye. One is only 16, so he's too young to try out. Look for him in a year of two. They are pop-lockers and very good. The older one's name is Elias. But like most pop-lockers, he didn't do well with choreography. He didn't make it to Vegas, but the judges told him to try again.
Last season, Brandon and Natalie were in the heart breaking #11 spot in a competition that takes the top 10 boys and top 10 girls to the live show. Katee made it through to the top 20 instead of Natalie, and Gev made it instead of Brandon. Natalie's audition was beautiful and she made Sonja very nearly speechless. Brandon was...I can't even describe it. He gave me chills. It was dramatic and he made everything look effortless. He brought Mary to tears. Brilliant. Both of them easily moved through to Vegas.
So 19 made it through to Vegas from Denver.
Next week, we get auditions from Miami and Memphis.
See? I told you it wasn't a review. I didn't even cue the theme music. HA!
But wait! Can I get a woooooooooooooooo for a fall season?????? Are you kidding me? We get Dancing with the Stars AND So You Think You Can Dance at the same time???
Hokey smokes Bulwinkle!
I am sooo ready for this show. I thought Brandon made it look effortless. He was incredible, and I will be surprised if he and Natalie don't make the top 10.
Have a wonderful week-end.