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Hello dear readers! Tis I, Iguanachocolate who, along with the brilliant Waywyrd will be recapping this season of So You Think You Can Dance. If you have missed the previous audition shows, don’t despair! Waywyrd has written two magnificent recaps for you located here and here. Read them and be joyful!
Now, I want to get this out of the way for any of you who, not knowing me, may be wondering, “How the heck can she be recapping this show? Does she have proper qualifications?” I am happy to report that yes, I am a trained dancer. Yes, indeedy, I began training at the tender age of 7 under the very capable tutelage of Miss Ginny. I did retire after just one season, though, since I reached the pinnacle of any performer’s career by dancing the role of the Lead Hunter in Peter and the Wolf. Frankly, that much success at such a tender age may well have jaded me. But for you, dear readers, I will do my best to keep an open mind.
Any one for the Charleston?
After the obligatory outside line antics, its inside we go. Aside from English gent Nigel and St. Mary of the Teeth (truly, is she a long lost Osmond child?), Tyce Diorio will be joining the judges’ panel. His credentials include choreography for Jennifer Lopez, Paula Abduhl and Janet Jackson. He also choreographed the Lion King group number from last season.
The night begins much like the past two shows: a young hopeful female dancer with a semi-tragic story. Sheila Kaiser has gone against her parents’ wishes by skipping her college engineering classes to come and audition. Her father was unable to even wish her good luck, though her mom tried to be supportive. She figures she can always go back to school, but her dancing needs to be front and center now. She takes the stage and her performance is good and chock full of what the judges want: good technique, stage presence and a well roundedness in dance style. They smile and chuckle through out her performance and Mary gives her trade marked Whooo Hoooo! They send her straight through to Vegas. A relieved Sheila tells the camera after speaking to her parents to share the news, he father loves her. Let’s say it together: “Aaaaaawwwwwwwwww.”
Next up are Erin Mansour and her partner John Tabakian. Erin wants this “so, so, so bad” as it is her last year to audition as she is thirty and will be beyond the cut off age next year. They take the stage and I begin to wonder if my dvr has slipped into slow motion mode. They seem turtle slow in their shoes, the movements seem amateurish and I feel like I am watching two drunken partiers dancing in an old wedding video. The judges are universally disappointed in their performance. Erin tells us and the judges that she is a dance instructor and I find myself thinking not anymore after that performance. They are sent home, thankfully.
After the commercial break, we visit with Jeremiah Hughes who believes his talent is in his imperfections. He dances for the joy it brings him. I grow afraid of what I might witness when he takes the stage. My fears are unfounded when he gives us a performance the is technically good and holds that certain je ne sais quois that has him connecting with the judges and the audience. His white shirt is unbuttoned and tends to flap about him and it distracts a bit, but over all he is good. Nigel loves him despite a few choreographical flubs, Mary points out his leaps were not quite how they should be and Tyce believes he needs some more focus when he dances in order to capitalize on his natural abilities. He goes straight to Vegas.
Someone who is not going to shoot craps in Vegas is Syiddah King. She begins to move and I think she must be used to practicing in a very small place because she does not stray out of her imaginary box on the stage. Her dancing consists mainly of weird foot movements (meant only to draw attention to her many colored socks, I am sure) and some jerky arm movements all accompanied by a really bored expression on her face. I’ve seen that expression before, mainly from the checkers when I am waiting in line to pay for purchases at my local superstore. Nigel stops the music and asks her how long she has been studying dancing. She doesn’t seem to want to call herself a dancer, but she thinks she should be in the competition. It’s just her, she says. She doesn’t want to learn and dismisses Mary’s critique and does not even wait to hear what Tyce has to say. I am left wondering why she was there in the first place. A dare? Some weird form of hazing?
After yet another booty dancer, we are introduced to 20 year old twins Anthony and Antwain Hart. Anthony is up first and does not impress the judges terribly much and is sent home. His twin, however, seems to have a bit more variation, imagination and sparkle in his performance. Nigel asks him if he and his brother dance together and Antwain answers shyly that they dance together a lot and then defends his brother to the judges. He is actually almost willing to drop out of the competition, but not quite because he believes Anthony would want him to stay in. The judges ask to see them do a routine together and together they are a whole different entity. They seem to feed off one another and were simply very exciting to watch. The judges felt that as well and send them both onto the choreography round.
After the choreography round, Antwain and Anthony are put through to Vegas along with 18 other dancers from the day’s auditions. Is it me, or are most of these people strangers to our screens?
Charleston day two dawns and introduces us to Abigail Thurman. She doesn’t have a chance on Earth in making it to Vegas, but unlike others before, takes the criticism the news with grace and charm. Next up is BJ Harris, a self-taught dancer whose school actually raised the money for him to come to Charleston to audition. He had some very interesting travel moves across the stage, used his sneakers as point shoes and really brought a great deal of variety to the stage. The judges chuckled and enjoyed it and he was through to choreography. After him came another of the trained girl dancers the producers seem to be pushing at us. We’ve seen her type already about a thousand times these auditions and yes, little Courtney Galiano is on her way to Vegas with her grandparents in tow.
I hesitate to mention anything about the next dancer, Jason Looney, except that his name does fit his personality. And, I would like to add in my opinion he is neither transgendered nor transvestite, he is a publicity whore hound. He was clearly there for camera time and that was all. And the single worst reason I have for hating his presence on that stage is that he lead off a group of really bad dancers. Will the producers ever learn that we watch for the good dancers, the ones we want to see move on in the competitions and not for the multitude of sub par performances they seem to want to shove down our throats. If we want to see those performances, we can go to our local bars, clubs and crash weddings. At least then we have a shot at free drinks. With all that being said, I did love the accompanying Thriller music.
As the day closes, we are greeted with a familiar face, at least to some of you: Claire Callaway. She’s recovered form her show ending injury, had a baby and is now back ready to roll. Well, in her mind. She clearly is either not at the level she was at when she was on the show before, or as the judges point out, the caliber of dancers has gone up. I think out of pity they put her through to choreography. Amazingly, she does make it through to Vegas along with 17 other dancers, most of who we have not seen before. And BJ Harris? Unfortunately, he is on his way back to Georgia.
What Music do Senators Dance to Behind Closed Cabinet Doors?
Washington DC, people! Where all the mover and shakers are today and I am happy to say I am not talking about the politicians. Tyce has been replaced by Dan Karaty, who has worked with Britney Spears and Jessica Simpson.
Up first is Megan Campbell. I quite enjoyed her contemporary flair, but I was fearful she would give herself whiplash if she threw her hair about anymore. Thank goodness she survived to move on to Vegas. Next up is someone proclaiming himself as Dancing D (for Derrick). I know this because he tells us about a thousand times and in case we didn’t hear him, it is emblazoned on his sweatshirt. Call me crazy, but if you have to spend so much time declaring your greatness, do you really have enough time left over to practice your craft? Apparently not much as his weird style of charade dancing does not earn him a ticket to Vegas or even the choreography round.
Next up we have Markus Shields. His mom died when he was younger and he lives her memory by dancing. The beauty, fluidity and imagination to his dance literally gave me goose bumps. It was because of this reaction that I was stunned by his expression after the dance. I thought I had missed something. Nigel praises his musicality and his dancing, but does point out that his expression seemed to indicate something was wrong, a thought echoed by Dan. Mary was simply left speechless by his performance and for that, Markus Shields becomes my favorite dancer of the entire competition thus far.
This was followed by a musical montage of dances I think I wished I could have seen more of, including some weird miming type of dance, Hawaiian dancers, crumping on sneaker point and what looked liked fantastic tapping. Of course, these, because they seemed interesting were not shown to us. One good thing is that we did get an education in DC Swing by Markus Smith and Deonna Ball. A fascinating variation on swing dance that I thoroughly enjoyed watching. The judges did as well and put them through to choreography. The first day ends with the swingers going home, but the amazing Markus Shields, along with just 9 others, is going to Vegas.
Ah, Day two of DC and we are nearing the end of this marathon show. The day opens with an interview with a Season One auditioner, Brandon Bryant confessing to a lie the fist time around. The rules call for only those 18 and older to be able to compete, and at that time Brandon was just 15. He confessed his age and now is ready to show his stuff for real and to take it all the way to the end. His dancing had an intensity to it that is impossible to describe, almost as if someone was able to harness the power of a puma and meld that with the grace of a dancer. His control over his body was breathtaking to watch. The judges were as blown away as I was and Brandon was Vegas bound.
Next we get to watch Phucdat Nguyen (now, now people, it is pronounced ‘foookdat’ – shame on you!). He titles himself the Atomic Goofball and unlike a lot of the other gimmick dancers that have come before him, he delivers and is sent through to choreography. And Atomic Goofball is right, nerds are cool.
The day is now winding down and after a ribbon dancer by the name of Maria Priymak is sent packing we are introduced once again to another ribbon dancer Anthony Bryant. At the first audition, Nigel told Anthony he was too effeminate whilst dancing, Anthony came this time dressed in battle gear, literally, in the form of camouflage. He declares his routine will be masculine and full of energy. Technically, it was just that, but it lacks that certain je ne sais quois of Jeremiah Hughes and Brandon Bryant. He poured his energy into his dance, but didn’t save room for his heart and soul. Never the less, he is sent on to choreography, albeit with a warning to show some personality or he could be going home.
And finally, after a long night of watching, we are at the last round of choreography. After they learn and perform the routine, the performers are brought out one by one to learn their fates. Atomic Goofball and Anthony do not make it through. Atomic takes it with grace, but Anthony breaks down in the lovely Cat Deeley’s arms. He’s lost his shoes and takes all of his frustrations on the camera and we are treated to his tirades that seem to stem from a sense of entitlement. Goofball smiles and threatens to be back next year. More power to you, Goof! Nine other contestants are on their way to gambling habits in Vegas.
Well, dear readers, that’s all for tonight. Stay tuned next Wednesday for the awesome stylings of Waywyrd as she wraps up the audition rounds for your reading pleasure.
Do you know where Anthony’s shoes are? If so, pm me….
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Originally Posted by iguanachocolate 
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Super recap, IG! Markus was probably my favorite of the night, too. Can't wait for the Vegas rounds! 
