By Lindsay Strouse

 

If you’ve been following So You Think You Can Dance Season 8 since Day 1, you already know this group of dancers is perhaps the strongest we’ve ever seen. After blowing away the panel of judges (and America!) last week with their introductory performances, I cannot wait to see what other tricks our Top 20 have up their sleeves. Joining Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy on the judging panel is actress Megan Mullally.

 

We already have our first injury with Mitchell, who injured his elbow after the first rehearsal and therefore sat out the first night. He automatically is in danger and must dance for his life. Here’s how the rest of the dancers measured up:

 

Dancers: Jordan and Tad

Style: African Jazz

Choreographer: Sean Cheesman

Song: “Riding the Waves” by Afro Celt Sound Systems

Talk about starting the show off with energy! There was a perfect mix of raw energy and incredible technique to make this a performance I simply couldn’t take my eyes away from. Both dancers harness so much power in their movements and were able to execute Sean’s amazing choreography with precision and confidence. And I’m not the only one who thought that way – the pair got rave reviews from the judges, as well.

 

Dancers: Sasha and Alexander

Style: Contemporary

Choreographer: Travis Wall

Song: “Stupid” by Sarah McLachlan

As always, big congrats to Travis Wall on other piece of unforgettable choreography. I loved the story that Sasha and Alexander were able to tell with their bodies in combination with the movements. Mary noted Sasha’s incredible strength and charisma on stage—Megan adds a great compliment by claiming Sasha is one of the favorites thus far in the competition. The judges appreciated Alexander’s strength and technique, but didn’t see as much emotion as they would have liked.

 

Dancers: Clarice and Jess

Style: Broadway

Choreographer: Tyce Diorio

Song: “Me and My Baby” by Liza Minnelli

There is no doubt that was a technically superior performance, but for some reason I didn’t feel the pizzazz I was expecting. Jess brought so much energy and showmanship to the dance (as to be expected from the Broadway star), but Clarice’s facials didn’t exactly match up, leaving me feeling unsatisfied. The judges agreed Jess out-danced and out-performed Clarice and she will have some work to do if she wants to keep up. Regardless, they were still left with smiles on their faces.

 

Dancers: Ryan and Ricky

Style: Lyrical Hip-Hop

Choreographer: Christopher Scott

Song: “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Lighthouse Family

Chris Scott is truly an artist—one of my favorite pieces so far in the competition. That being said, both dancers really hit all their movements while still bringing in those short bursts of fluidity to create a perfect balance. Nigel was a bit confused by the emotions they tried to portray, but that hardly mattered when compared to their brilliant movements. As a whole, the judges loved the piece and the way Ryan and Ricky danced it.

 

Dancers: Caitlynn and Season 7’s Robert (replacing Mitchell)

Style: Jazz

Choreographer: Sonya Tayeh

Song: “In For the Kill” by La Roux

It’s hard to believe how each dance that came out was as good or better than the last. That partnering was so incredible to watch—and watching Robert alongside Caitlynn wasn’t too hard on the eyes either! All three judges praised Caitlynn’s beauty and technique and Nigel gave her a “10 across the board.” After losing her partner to an injury, it’s great to see how well she adapted and produced such a powerful performance.

 

Dancers: Miranda and Robert

Style: Jive

Choreographer: Jason Gilkison

Song: “Runaway Baby” by Bruno Mars

Within the first 5 seconds, off flew Miranda’s earring—as if that little malfunction could slow down these dancers. Jason’s choreography was such a joy to watch, I completely forgot both Miranda and Robert were quite far from their areas of expertise. And from the level of applause, it seems the audience agreed. Both dancers’ personalities really shone through, but according to Nigel, Robert’s technique and Miranda’s confidence simply didn’t measure up. Still, I’m letting Robert’s unpointed toes go unnoticed this week on good faith.

 

Dancers: Missy and Wadi

Style: Jazz

Choreographer: Sean Cheesman

Song: “Judas” by Lady Gaga

I was wondering when we would see our first Gaga number. And let me just say, I was SO impressed by b-boy/hip-hop dancer Wadi! Missy’s lines and fierceness of movements was mesmerizing to watch—I could not turn away. This number needs to be on the tour later, without a doubt. Nigel classifies Missy as one of the “lady beasts” of the competition and praises Wadi’s unbelievable free-running technique. Hands down, best number of the night. In the words of Megan Mullally, that was “ah-may-zing.”

 

Dancers: Melanie and Marco

Style: Contemporary

Choreographer: Travis Wall

Song: “Turn to Stone” by Ingrid Michaelson

Beautiful. Breathtaking. Incredible. Sensational. Any synonym to any of those words would adequately describe the beauty Melanie and Marco just brought to the stage. It was enough to bring Mary to tears, and leave me speechless. Nigel predicted this will be the first Emmy-nominated routine of the season and I could not agree more. The chemistry between these two dancers was captivating and Nigel closes his judging by naming Melanie “the queen of the beasts.” This competition just keeps getting better. 

 

Dancers: Ashley and Chris

Style: Hip Hop

Choreographer: Christopher Scott

Song: “Forget You” by Cee Lo Green

Another fun number from Chris Scott—not as intense as some of the other dances we’ve seen, but it was “pure entertainment” up there and I loved every moment of it. Ashley had all the swag in the world and Chris brought his big heart and personality to the stage. Ashley and Chris truly made a great team and it was wonderful seeing  their chemistry bloom in front of America.

 

Dancers: Iveta and Nick

Style: Quickstep

Choreographer: Jason Gilkison

Song: “Ballroom Blitz” by Sweet

Anyone who gets paired up with Iveta in ballroom is going to have a lot to live up to, and I’m very happy to say that Nick held his weight (enough to get a standing ovation from Mary)! The fact that a tap dancer was able to keep up so well with a world-champion and entertain the audience at the same time is something to be admired. Rave reviews from the judges, and I second each and every one of them.

 

I do not know how America is going to decide who goes home tomorrow night, so don’t be the last one to find out. The first elimination night of So You Think You Can Dance airs tomorrow at 8/7c on Fox.

 

(Image courtesy of FOX)

 

Follow Lindsay @LindsayStrouse