by Lindsay Strouse

 

For the first time in So You Think You Can Dance history, the entire Top 20 has been invited back for a round two. The judges were so torn on who to send home last week that they decided to keep everyone and instead send home two couples tomorrow night. Yeah, like that’s going to be any easier! Joining the panel as a guest judge this week is dance legend Debbie Reynolds.

 

Before each couple performed, the dancers leaked out embarrassing secrets about their partners—from Ryan’s fast-growing leg hair to Miranda’s crush on Tadd. Here’s how the night played out:

 

Dancers: Ricky and Ryan

Style: Jazz

Choreographer: Mandy Moore

Song: “Addicted to Love” by Robert Palmer

R&R start the night out right with a very sexy and technically strong jazz piece. With all the amazing technique across the board, these dances are really going to depend on the performance doled out. And man did they dole it out. The judges loved every minute of that sultry number.

 

Dancers: Mitchell and Caitlynn

Style: Contemporary

Choreographer: Stacey Tookey

Song: “Turning Tables” by Adele

Now this is what I call dancing with pure, raw passion. Big shout out to Stacey Tookey for this incredible piece of dance. The emotion and chemistry between Caitlynn and Mitchell was so believable that Caitlynn literally bled for her art (Mitchell accidently swung a punch at his partner during the dance). Worded perfectly by Nigel, this performance was the epitome of the saying “dance is the language of the soul.”

 

Dancers: Wadi and Missy

Style: Cha Cha

Choreographer: Jean-Marc Genereux

Song: “Cannibal” by Ke$ha

I love Wadi so I’m going to start off by giving him an A for effort. As for the technical side, it was clear how uncomfortable he was in the ballroom style and there was a lot missing. Mary gave him many helpful hints and I really hope he sticks around to try it again. Missy, on the other hand, really stepped up to the plate and brought the heat.

 

Dancers: Nick and Iveta

Style: Bollywood

Choreographer: Nakul Dev Mahajan

Song: “Baawre” by Luck by Chance

It’s our first Bollywood dance of the season and what a joy it was to watch. It was like they had springs under their feet, they just kept going and going! For this point in the competition, it was definitely a respectable performance that I think will pull them through to next week.

 

Dancers: Robert and Miranda

Style: Hip Hop

Choreographer: Tabitha and Napoleon (aka Nappytabs)

Song: Break Ya Neck” by Busta Rhymes

Whaaat. I honestly didn’t think Miranda had it in her, but she hit every move of that ‘woodpecker’ dance. Debbie Reynolds was so impressed she even let out her very own Woody impression! The pair of them was truly great out there and I’m sure they made Nappytabs proud.

 

Dancers: Jess and Clarice

Style: Contemporary

Choreographer: Stacey Tookey

Song: “Cathedrals” by Jump Little Children

That was definitely less than perfect. I found myself tensing up every time Clarice and Jess came together in the fear he would drop her. However, I agree with Nigel that when they danced separately it was wonderful. Mary complimented the couple on their strength, control and dedication to the emotion of the piece.

 

Dancers: Tadd and Jordan

Style: Viennese Waltz

Choreographer: Jean-Marc Genereux

Song: “Fade Into Me” by David Cook

 It was actually really refreshing to see Jordan dance a piece not laced with sex appeal. Her lines were beautiful and the rise and fall of the dance was simply perfect. I completely forgot Tadd was a b-boy until Nigel mentioned how impressed he was by his skill outside his comfort zone—now that is an accomplishment! Debbie Reynolds places them among the greats like Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire…talk about a compliment to take home.

 

Dancers: Marco and Melanie

Style: Jazz

Choreographer: Mandy Moore

Song: “Sing with a Swing” by DKS

I have a feeling these two are going to remain favorites in the competition for quite a while. They completely owned the stage and moved across with energy and ease. Mary commended the way their personalities shined onstage and Debbie and Nigel rank them as one of the stars of today. I predict we’ll be seeing both Marco and Melanie in the Top 4.

 

Dancers: Alexander and Sasha

Style: Hip Hop

Choreographer: Tabitha and Napoleon (aka Nappytabs)

Song: “Coming Home” by Diddy-Dirty Money and Skylar Grey

This was a wonderful piece about a soldier’s return home from Afghanistan. Sasha and Alex danced with passion and power and brought the judges to tears. And how perfect to perform this piece after earlier in the night President Obama announced the plan to withdraw 30,000 troops from Afghanistan by next summer.

 

Dancers: Chris and Ashley

Style: Broadway

Choreographer: Spencer Liff

Song: “Please, Mr. Jailer” by Rachel Sweet

The entire dance was spaced in front and behind a small jail cell, but it was like they had the entire floor. Ladies and gentleman, we have our first passengers on Mary Murphy’s Hot Tamale Train! We just saw two more dancers completely out of their element and they owned it.

 

Don’t miss So You Think You Can Dance tomorrow night on FOX at 8/7c to find out which two couples will be sent home.

 

(Photo courtesy of FOX)

 

Follow Lindsay @LindsayStrouse