Thursday, July 31, 2014

So You Think You Can Dance: Top 14

The top 14 dancers performed on So You Think You Can Dance this week.   The show began with a group dance to "Last Moment" by Christopher Filippi.  The number, choreographed by Mandy Moore, featured atmospheric lighting and the dancers in Roman garb.  It was a lovely way to start the show.

The guest judge this week was Christina Applegate.  I really like her as a judge.  She takes the show seriously and has insightful comments, but also offers a sense of fun.

The bottom 6 were announced, with news that 4 of them would go home.  They were:  Serge, Teddy, Casey, Jessica, Carly, and Emily

Emilio and Bridget danced first.  Emilio said that Bridget brings congeniality to the show, while Bridget said that Emilio brings a potty mouth. They danced a jazz number by Ray Leeper about two devils on a mission from hell.  The music was "Long Road to Hell" (Avicii).  Their costumes were red and cheesy and the whole number was a little bit too much for me.  

Next up were Tanisha and Rudy.  According to the dancers, Tanisha brings hiccups to the show and Rudy brings a quiet demeanor (said ironically, as he is very loud!).  They danced a Mandy Moore contemporary number about seduction to "Seduces Me" (Celine Dion).  There was lots of big movement and an impressive overhead lift.  Christina gave them a standing ovation.

Serge performed a solo to "Wicked Game" (Parra for Cuva) in ballroom style.  I wish I had voted for him last week!  (I rarely vote.)

Jacque and Zack were introduced.  The dancers said that Jacque brings customer service skills from her job at a grocery store to the show.  Zack brings "mad rapping skills."  They danced a vampire theme Paso Doble by Jean Marc Generaux to "Dragula" (Rob Zombie).  It was dramatic and interesting to watch.  Nigel said it was good that the concept did not overshadow the routine, and I agree.

Carly performed a contemporary solo to "Not About Angels" (Birdy).  I keep getting Carly and Emily confused - they are very similar to me in look and style. 

Emily and Teddy were next.  Emily brings a business degree to the show, while Teddy brings rubbery arms and neck.  They performed a Warren Carlyle Broadway number about a cat and mouse style flirtation.  The song was "From This Moment On" (Kiss Me Kate).  Nigel said it ended weak and I agree.  Teddy lost synchronization in several places.

Casey performed a solo to "Kiss Me" (Ed Sheeran).

Jessica and Casey performed next.   Jessica brings her awkwardness to the show (according to Casey), while Casey brings a great turning ability.  Travis Wall choreographed a number for them about finding a person in your life who centers you.  It was danced to "Like Real People Do" (Hozier).  There is a screen capture of the dance above.  The pivotal moment of the dance was a kiss.  Their chemistry was great.  The judges all gave them a standing ovation.

Emily performed a solo to "Infra 8" (Louisa Fuller, Natalia Bonner, Nick Barr, Ian Burdge, Chris Worsey).

Teddy then performed a solo to "If I Ever Fall in Love" (Shai).

Carly and Serge were next up.  According to the dancers, Carly brings her emotions to the show, while Serge brings a ponytail.   They did a quickstep choreographed by Jean Marc Generaux to "A Cool Cat in Town" (Tape Five).  Serge shone in this number.

Jessica performed a solo to "Fever" by Beyonce.

Valerie and Ricky danced next.   Valerie brings her tomboy personality to the show, while Ricky brings great Cuban coffee.  They danced a hip hop choreographed by Pharside and Phoenix.  It was about a witch doctor and a doll, performed to "Turn Down for What" (D.J. Snake and Lil John).  It was a fun dance, completely in character.

The girls performed a group number choreographed by Mandy Moore.  It was a salute to strong women dancing together, performed to "My Immortal" by Evanescence.  The judges loved it, and Christina singled Valerie out for praise, calling her "Tappy McTapperson."

The guys performed a group routine choreographed by Travis Wall about a city of lost souls.  It was to "Wave" (Beck).  The men wore what my friends and I termed "skants" (pants that looked like long skirts).  They did some amazing leaps and at the end of the number they fell off the stage, one by one.   It was a beautiful number and I think perhaps my favorite of the season so far.

The judges decided unanimously on the four dancers going home:  Teddy, Serge, Emily, and Carly.   They kept Casey and Jessica.   I prefer Serge to Casey, and was sorry to see him go.

The All Stars are returning next week.  Woohoo!   I love seeing them return.  The pairs for next week were announced:

Rudy will dance with Jenna.
Jacque will dance with Cheon. (Can't wait to see him next week!)
Zack will dance with Amy.
Bridget will dance with Brandon.
Ricky will dance with Lauren.
Tanisha will dance with Ryan.
Emilio will dance with Jasmine.
Valerie will dance with Ade.
Casey will dance with Katherine.
Jessica will dance with Twitch.

What did you think of this week's show?  Are you excited to see the All Stars return?   I would love to hear from you in the comments below.