Let me be the first to say it, week two was intense. Between the hot (there is no other word for it) dance routines and the emotional breakdowns, I wasn’t quite sure what to do with myself. With two nights of material and traveling from Salt Lake City to Dallas to Charleston to DC, there’s a lot to cover.
Setting- Salt Lake City and Dallas
Judges- Nigel Lythgoe
Mary Murphy
Mandy Moore (not the one you’re thinking, lol)
Adam Shankman (directed Hairspray)
Highlights-
Let’s talk Vegas. It seems that the majority of dancers getting through to Vegas specialize in modern this season. The hip-hop and ballroom dancers excel in auditions, but just can’t grasp Travis’ choreography. And let’s face it, this season the dancers are lucky to even get past auditions. The judges aren’t afraid of telling it like it is. Case and Point: Steven Arner, or as I like to call him, Mickey Mouse. What did you think of that man’s hair!? Did the thought, “what the heck?” pass through your mind? Yea? Mine too. My favorite part during his five minutes of fame was Mary dismissing him from the theater. Go Mary!
On the other end of the extreme was Kelli Baker, who appeared in High School Musical 2! Is this a sign? Sabra (the winner of last season for those of you catching up) appeared in the first High School Musical. Perhaps a trend is beginning. But back to last night, Kelli was auditioning in attempt to step out of her Mom’s shadow (who just happened to choreograph HSM). Let me just say, and I am sure you all agree, she was fabulous! So far she is definitely my favorite girl in the competition. Though, of course, it is a little early to tell.
The most touching moment of the night happened early on when Bret, a boy with Down Syndrome, auditioned with his own routine. Not only does be take classes in martial arts, but he is also a Special Messenger for the Special Olympics. He was not given a ticket to Vegas, but that didn’t seem to matter to him. “I am here,” he told the judges, “to show people with disabilities that they have a life to live too.” Talk about inspirational.
Setting– Charleston and DC
Judges– Nigel Lythgoe
Mary Murphy
Tyce Diorio- Jazz
Dan Karaty-hip hop
Highlights–
Once again the modern dancers were dominating tonight. Sheila, the first dancer of the night (modern of course), was told that her routine is “…hot, every little thing about it was hot.” But let me tell you what, or really who, I thought was hot. Jeremiah Hughes, modern dancer number three, is definitely one of the hottest men I have ever seen in my life. If you don’t remember him, I question your “check him out” abilities. He was sent straight to Vegas where I shall no doubt cheer for him when eliminations begin.
Of course the night would not have been complete without the occasional (and by occasional, I mean many) dancers that you wish never auditioned. Sometimes I feel like it is more painful for me to watch their auditions than it is for them to actually audition. You know, that never-ending bury-your-face-in-the-couch cringing. That’s what I am talking about. There was Syiddah with her multi-colored socks, Shamika with her booty dancing, Abigail with her breast stroke, and “Dancing Derek” who couldn’t dance (ironic).
My favorite part of the night by far, however, was the twins. Anthony and Antwain made my night. When Antwain told the judges that he believed his brother should be the one sent to Vegas I “aaaawwwed” so loud my Mom laughed at me. And then when they got up there and did their routine perfectly in sync, my jaw dropped. Thankfully the judges withdrew their initially negative reaction to Anthony and sent them both to the choreography round. After which…they made it to Vegas!
Next week So You Think You Can Dance will start at 8pm on Wednesday, and then at 8 pm on Thursday, we’re traveling to Milwaukee. See you there!
P.S. I am not sure if I mentioned it before, but if I happen to leave your favorite part of the night out, please leave it in comments! I love to hear everything you have to say about my fave summer show.
By Lauren Linhard
