By Lindsay Strouse

 

The beasts are back and they are HUNGRY. The Top 16 dancers of So You Think You Can Dance return this week to wow the judges and America and prove why they are our favorite dancers. I’m particularly happy with this week’s guest judge, Tony- and Emmy-winning actress Kristen Chenoweth.

 

Starting the night off was a group routine performed by half of our Top 16:

 

Dancers: Clarice, Sasha, Miranda, Ryan, Marco, Chris, Tadd and Mitchell

Style: Jazz

Choreographer: Tyce Diorio

Song: “Hit the Road Jack” by Ray Charles

What an entertaining piece to start the night off with—the classic boy vs. girl story. And it seems like our lady beasts came out on top! There is so much precision in all the dancers’ movements, it is hard to believe they only learn these routines in a few hours.

 

Dancers: Sasha and Alexander

Style: Contemporary

Choreographer: Dee Caspary

Song: “Belong” by Cary Brothers

Wow, that was some powerful choreography. They told such a beautiful story and looked extraordinary while doing it. While everything about their physicality was perfect, Nigel and Mary asked Alexander to dig deeper for his emotions. I personally don’t know what they’re talking about because I got chills—and Ms. Chenoweth did, as well!

 

Dancers: Caitlynn and Mitchell

Style: Samba

Choreographer: Jean-Marc Genereux

Song: “Put It In A Love Song” by Alicia Keys feat. Beyonce

Move them hips! Jean-Marc did wonders with these two—they looked completely confident and sexy up there. And it looks like they landed themselves two VIP seats on the Hot Tamale Train! With rave reviews from the judges, I really hope these two Hot Tamales are safe for next week.

 

Dancers: Miranda and Robert

Style: Broadway

Choreographer: Tyce Diorio

Song: “It Don’t Mean a Thing” by Sophisticated Ladies

So, here we have Miranda playing an “upper-class working girl.” I don’t care what character she’s playing, that was so much fun to watch! The judges agree Miranda has grown the most out of anyone on the show and I couldn’t agree more. They go on to praise Robert for his drive and determination in the competition.

 

Dancers: Melanie and Marco

Style: Lyrical/Hip-Hop

Choreographer: Nappytabs

Song: “I Got You” by Leana Lewis

And our power couple does it again…and this time they do it with a little smooching (followed by a big ol’ smooch between Nigel and Mary. And then between Kristen and Lil’ C. Yep, you read that right). It seems like there is no style this couple can’t master. Not to mention the incredible chemistry continually growing between Melanie and Marco. In the words of Nigel Lythgoe, these two are “the couple to beat.” You could say that again.

 

Dancers: Ashley and Chris

Style: Jazz

Choreographer: Sonya Tayeh

Song: “Lights Go Down” by Telepathe

I’m usually a big fan of all things Sonya Tayeh, but I wasn’t totally feeling it tonight. With strange pieces such as this, it can be hard to connect with the music and with the story. Regardless, the technicality and precision of their movements were fierce. Lil’ C was right in naming Ashley the “silent assassin.” While I don’t always remember her, the minute I see her dance she moves right back up to the top of my list.

 

Dancers: Clarice and Jess

Style: Foxtrot

Choreographer: Jean-Marc Genereux

Song: “Fly Me to the Moon” by Frank Sinatra

Jess isn’t the tallest guy in the world, but in this dance he was 8 feet tall. Last week, many of us cringed in fear he would drop Clarice during all the lifts, but this week I was just smiling in awe. Kristen dubbed this dance her favorite of the night and the rest of the judges follow suit. They truly graced the floor with their dancing tonight.

 

Dancers: Ryan and Ricky

Style: Contemporary

Choreographer: Sonya Tayeh

Song: “With Every Heartbeat” by Robyn

Such an emotional and breathtaking piece choreographed by Sonya. It’s a good thing the judges decided to keep these two last week, because Lil’ C named them the second power couple of the competition. Anyone watching this piece could feel and relate to the emotion portrayed, which I think is an accomplishment of its own.

 

Dancers: Jordan and Tadd

Style: Hip Hop

Choreographer: Nappytabs

Song: “Memories” by David Gueta feat. Kid Cudi

Nappytabs killed it tonight! Jordan and Tadd told the story of two college students waking up after what seems to have been a long night. Though the concept somewhat overwhelmed the dancing, no one seemed to care much because it was so much fun to watch. I don’t think these two are going anywhere for quite some time.

 

Dancers: Caitlynn, Ashley, Jordan, Melanie, Jess, Alexander, Ryan and Robert

Style: Contemporary

Choreographer: Dee Caspary

Song: “Poison & Wine” by The Civil Wars

The second group dance of the night reenacts a story from the 20^th century, complete with beautiful lines and strength to match. In a night all about the battle of the sexes, it seems our wonderful ladies once again come out on top.

 

Who’s going home next? I’m at a loss. Find out when So You Think You Can Dance returns tomorrow night at 8/7c on FOX.

 

(Image courtesy of FOX)

 

Follow Lindsay on Twitter @LindsayStrouse