Top 20 Perform

Opening Christopher Scott routine – Well, that was kinda cool in a way that only Christopher Scott routines really can be.  My husband thought it was “cluttered” because he wasn’t sure what he was supposed to be watching.  I suppose I can see his point, but in a 20-person routine, that’s probably kinda gonna happen.  I liked the “story” and the amazing synchronization across 20 people. But let's get down to bizness:

Witney & Chehon – Louis van Amstel samba – WELL.  Um, can we just skip to the part where Witney wins the whole shebang?  Okay, fine, that’s premature.  But DAMN, that child can move!  I had to keep reminding myself that there was someone else on the stage with her.  And to that point: um, Chehon…hung in there.  He did better than I feared he would, but let’s be honest, with Witney for a partner in her own style?  He didn’t really stand a chance.

Tiffany & George  - Sonya Tayeh, contemporary – props to Sonya for a) doing fluid and beautiful just as well as she does weird and angry; and b) for some truly innovative and fantastic choreography.  As for the dancing: technically, perfect.  Emotionally:  mmm, it took me a bit to feel that George was as committed as Tiffany was, but about halfway through, when he grabbed her leg, the fire lit and the game changed.  All that said, I have this nagging feeling it might not be enough to overcome the firecrackers - and I’m not just showing my Witney bias here.  I think this is a season when you have to be a superstar in every dance to survive, and I don’t know yet if that number will be memorable enough.

Janaya & Brandon – NappyTabs lyrical hip-hop – Hm.  I was so ready to love this number, but… hm.  A few things were slightly off for me:  1) the choice of music – not nearly emotional enough for the subject matter; it failed to create the necessary spark, I think.  2) the technical proficiency of the dancers – they were good, but there were a few points where they were off. 3) the connection between the two dancers – I’m not entirely convinced they were entirely committed to each other in the story.  I believe each of them in their roles, but not so much together.  It was by no means a bad performance, but Nigel’s right that it’s going to have to be much better than good to make it this season.

Alexa & Daniel – Sean Cheesman jazz number – I gotta admit to a bit of trepidation having Alexa and Daniel partnered together, given Alexa’s emotional challenges with the judges and Daniel’s…well, what I perceive to be attitude issues.  But I gotta say, I thought they did really well together.  I depart a bit from Nigel and Kenny; aside from a little mugging for the camera that made me cringe, I thought they connected (inasmuch as you can connect in a number like that), and they executed some exceptional choreography, so I give them props.  But I do think the choreography was limiting in his exhaustiveness – not their fault, just an unfortunate first pick.

Amber & Nick – Jason Gilkison Viennese waltz – well Amber was just the picture of grace and beauty.  I don’t know what Mary saw in the shoes, but I thought she was just the picture of elegance.  As for Nick, I am not sure what he was struggling with in rehearsal, but he did just fine in the performance.  Hard to focus on him with all that flowy-ness from Amber, but I thought he was a fluid partner and perfectly competent.  Again, like Nigel, I’m not sure it’ll be enough, but it was lovely.

Amelia & Will – NappyTabs hip-hop – CUTE!  I’m struggling a little to see how it’s hip-hop, but if you put that particular fact aside, it was pretty awesome.  Amelia was surprisingly sexy and not remotely quirky, and Will bought into it hook, line, and sinker.  It was really a fun and engaging routine, marvelous performances from both of them, and it will be memorable. 

Janelle & Dareian – Sean Cheesman jazz – Holy. Crap.  My first thought:  OH MY GOD, they broke Janelle!  My second:  OW.  My neck hurts just watching that.  Finally:  DAYUM!  Except for one series of moves in the middle when Dareian was a hair behind, the two of them just TORE. THAT. UP.  That was remarkable, and I was unconditionally impressed.

Eliana & Cyrus – Tyce Diorio Broadway – I’m sorry, I know there are people who don’t understand why Cyrus made the top 20 (*cough*Sher*cough*), but HE. WAS. AWESOME!!  He was absolutely magical in that routine, and proved that in the Broadway style, performance matters almost more than dance.  Eliana was also terrific, don’t get me wrong, but I think we kind of expected that.  That number rocked, and even the naysayers better be givin’ props to the boy with endless enthusiasm and no previous choreography experience because he NAILED IT.

Audrey & Matthew – Travis Wall contemporary – Setting aside the fact that I loathe that song ever since Ghost caused it to be played on the radio every third song for about a year (for you young’uns, these were the days before Spotify, iPods, and the internet in general): it was a gorgeous number, but as my husband was quick to point out, not Travis’ best – in light of all of the awesomeness he has previously produced - which was why I was a little surprised by Nigel’s overwhelming rave.  It was a lovely number, don’t get me wrong, but I’m not sure I saw the chemistry to match the praise it received.  I’ll go back and watch it again, because it I’m wondering what the judges saw that I didn’t.

Lindsay & Cole – Jason Gilkison paso doble – Alright, who stacked the deck in favor of the ballroom beauties? Really – Witney a samba and Lindsay a paso?  But who cares, because it was Just. So. AWESOME!  Somehow, Lindsay managed to look both the sexy femme fatale and masculine badass at the same time.  And unlike Chehon who trailed Witney a bit in samba, Cole could easily have competed with that routine – and won.  Brilliant indeed.  YOWZA.

Predictions for the bottom six?  Unfortunately, I think Janaya, Amber, and possibly Alexa are going to find themselves there, but only Janaya really deserves it, IMO.  Chehon will probably be joined by the likes of Daniel and, I fear, George, who I just think isn't as standout-memorable as some of the other guys.  Nick could also find himself there, but it will really depend on how well people really separate individual dancers from their routines.  

And now, we wait a WHOLE WEEK to find out!  Curse you, FOX!