By Kylene Hamulak

 

It's down to the final three guys and final three girls on So You Think You Can Dance, and this will be the toughest elimination of all. To get this far, only to fall one week short of the finale, makes you really understand how important tonight's dances will be. Watching the Top 6 perform to Scream - Kelis is impressive, as they are a perfectly in sync troupe, with the dancers practically indistinguishable from one another (in a good way).

 

Tonight, each of the dancers will perform three times - a solo, with each other, and with an All-Star. The judges no longer have the power to save anyone, but joining them on the panel for her second time this season is Christina Applegate. I liked her first visit - she seemed to know enough about dance and, more importantly, the contestants to give informed critiques about the performances.

 

Dancers: Tiffany, with Season 2's Benji
Style: Jive
Song: What I Like About You - Lillix
Choreographer: Jean-Marc Genereux
I'm always a fan of the Jive, and the quick energy of Benji onstage is really terrific for Tiffany's dancing. The standout move is a set of three - count ‘em, THREE! - cart wheels that bring the judges (and audience) to their feet for a standing ovation. Nigel says their energy just lifted the entire audience, and calls Tiffany remarkable for keeping up with Benji. Mary says it was amazing and tells Tiffany she likes everything about her. Christina congratulates Tiffany, saying her flicks were perfect.

 

Dancer: Witney
Style: Ballroom
Song: Malaguena - Brian Setzer
Before Witney's solo, her parents tell us how proud they are of her, and we see the whole family wishing her luck. She is fierce in her solo performance, swinging her red dress like a cape, just daring an unseen force to charge at her.

 

Dancers: Cole, with Season 8's Melanie
Style: Contemporary
Song: Too Close - Alex Cross
Choreograher: Sonya Tayeh
Sonya's choreography is intended to show Cole as very free and flying, in contrast to the darker characters he's portrayed. Cole's performances get stronger each week, and the choreography seamlessly fuses his martial arts style with the smooth dance. Mary calls it a gorgeous piece, telling Cole that he commanded attention. Christina says Cole is masterful with every character he is given and boldly predicts that we'll see him next week. Nigel thinks that Cole has been extraordinary in the competition, particularly for being such a unique dancer.

 

Dancer: Chehon
Style: Ballet
Song: Way Back Home - District 78
Chehon had an emotional reunion with his mom last week, and this week she tells him how proud she and his father are of him, and not just because of his dancing. She calls him an incredible gift to them and...I...need a tissue. His solo is interesting - he's gives his trademark graceful ballet routine, but it's in a very intense way.

 

Dancers: Eliana, with Season 4's tWitch
Style: Hip Hop
Song: Please Mr. Postman (District 78 Remix) - The Marvelettes
Choreographer: Christopher Scott
Eliana has become a favorite of mine, and tWitch is always a blast to watch, so I'm looking forward to their gorgeous-girl-meets-hot-postman routine. They don't disappoint - the dance is terrific. Christina tells Eliana she could do YMCA in front of her, and she'd be happy. "You're just so good, you could do anything." Nigel again tells her that she's still his favorite girl, but he thinks the routine relied a little too much on the character and not the dancing. Mary thought it was a very entertaining number and says Eliana seems to be able to do everything, every single week.

 

Dancer: Tiffany
Style: Jazz
Song: Just the Way You Are - Carmen Reece
Tiffany's sister is overcome with pride for her sister. Her parents urge her to show the world the passion and love she has for dance, saying that the stage just lights up when she's on it. It's nice to see these families embrace the talents of the dancers.

 

Dancers: Chehon, with Season 6's Kathryn
Style: Contemporary
Song: Eli, Eli - Sophie Milman
Choreographer: Tyce Diorio
Chehon and Kathryn? Amazing. Not much to say beyond that, though the audience reacts by getting to their feet for the powerful performance. Nigel calls it an incredibly emotional routine. Mary is practically in tears, saying it was an honor to witness. Christina calls the routine profound. She says Chehon has always been technically a master, but that he has also grown to include the emotion in his dance as well.

 

Dancer: Cole
Style: Martial Arts
Song: Night of the Wolf - Nox Arcana
Cole's mom was "jumping and screaming like a maniac" at his audition because he really really REALLY deserves it. She encourages him to "kick butt" and show ‘em what he's got. Like the others, Cole's solo is a pretty intense display of his unique style.

Dancers: Witney, with Season 8's Marko
Style: Lyrical Jazz
Song: No Nothing - Curtis & Reinhard
Choreographer: Ray Leeper
The premise of this routine is that Marko wants to marry Witney, and even though she's an 18 year old from Utah, she doesn't think she's ready for it. When Marko hears her father is waiting with a shotgun, he has second thoughts too. The dance itself is a push and pull for both, and it's beautifully done. Mary loves Witney in this piece, noting her attack and control. Christina calls Witney a beautiful dancer, though she did comment that the "hairography" may have taken a little away from the routine, as she'd like to see her face. Nigel tells her, "there was so much that you did that was beautiful in that routine."

 

Dancer: Eliana
Style: Ballet
Song: I Will Follow You Into the Dark - Death Cab for Cutie
Eliana's mom is super excited about seeing Eliana on stage, but she reminds her to dance her heart out. "Remember, the joy inside of you shows on the outside of you." Aw, wise words from her mom! And she takes the advice - Eliana radiates throughout her routine, both with her smile and with her dance.

 

Dancers: Cyrus, with Season 4's Comfort
Style: Hip Hop
Song: Cinema (Skrillex Remix) - Benny Benassi
Choreographer: Christopher Scott
Cyrus is all excited about having Dubstep, Comfort, Hip Hop, and Christopher Scott in this very important routine, but is anyone else curious about why Cyrus is performing for the first time more than an hour into the show, while we've seen some of the other dancers twice already? The same thing happened last week! Regardless, it's worth the wait. Whether it's because it's a change from the other routines or because Cyrus (and Comfort) are just so good at it, the routine is kind of awesome. Don't take my word for it though - the audience is on their feet, and the judges are standing, too. Christina tells Cyrus that it was "carved out for you" and wonderful. Nigel says it was incredible to watch. Mary thinks there is something very special about Cyrus, and that people love him because everyone connects with him.

 

Dancers: Witney and Chehon
Style: Cha Cha
Song: Where Have You Been - Rihanna
Choreographer: Jean-Marc Genereux
Witney is in her genre with the Cha Cha, but Chehon isn't so comfortable. Jean-Marc notes how important chemistry is in this dance, so can Chehon overcome Witney's "attention-stealing" moves? Meh...not so much. His discomfort shows, and Mary makes note of his struggles. Obviously Witney has the ability, but Mary thinks she was capable of more. Christina didn't remember anything awkward and enjoyed it. Nigel agrees with Mary, calling it disappointing.

 

Dancer: Cyrus
Style: Popping/Animating
Song: Harem - Sarah Brightman
Cyrus' mom is terrific, joking about him being a better dancer than she is, and she sends a heartfelt congratulations to him to let him know how proud everyone is of him. She encourages him to continue following his dreams. And for his solo? You know Cyrus. He does what he always does.

 

Dancers: Eliana and Cole
Style: Contemporary
Song: Adagio for Strings - Brno Philharmonic Orchestra
Choreographer: Mia Michaels
This routine demands that Eliana and Cole trust each other, as it is highly physical, emotional and precise. I'm not sure two better dancers in the competition could've been paired for this routine, as both Eliana and Cole have amazing control. Honestly, it's a little weird for me, as they're channeling two rams battling, but everyone in the studio is on their feet by the end. Nigel calls it fantastic and danced brilliantly. Mary says it was absolutely mesmerizing. Christina thinks it was a great job.

 

Dancers: Cyrus and Tiffany
Style: Broadway
Song: Treat Me Rough (Girl Crazy) - Debbie Gravitte
Choreographer: Spencer Liff
The story behind this one is a couple of 1950's teenagers left home alone and...well, you can imagine where it goes. It's a cute routine. Christina loves it, calling it fun and sassy. Nigel thinks it was a terrific routine. Mary calls it "the cutest number EVER!" I mean, there's not much to say at this point - they're both amazingly talented and both, you know, adorable.

 

That marks the end of the competitive routines, but before we find out who has been eliminated, we're treated to an excerpt from The Narrowing performed by Sebastian Grubb and Joel Green of the AXIS Dance Company to Panama Canal by Joan Jeanrenaud and RC Munoz.

 

And now for the hardest part. After months of preparing and auditions and performances, the final six dancers will learn which of them has made it to the finale.

 

First up - the girls. Tiffany is the first girl to be named a finalist. Eliana is soon named the second girl in the finale, eliminating Witney. When it's the guys' turn, Chehon is named to the finale first, before Cyrus is announced as the last finalist. Cole is eliminated.

 

So the finale is set: Tiffany and Eliana will compete for the girls' title, while Chehon and Cyrus will dance for the guys. As a scheduling note, the performance finale is scheduled for Tuesday of next week. Tune in to find out which guy and girl have been named America's Favorite Dancers for Season 9!

 

The finale of So You Think You Can Dance: Season 9 will air on Tuesday, September 11 @ 8p on Fox.

 

(Image courtesy of Fox)