The biggest question about “So You Think You Can Dance” is not how they can do all those lifts and leaps but how they can stretch a show with only six couples into two full hours. That works out to twenty minutes per couple! I could’ve watched two full repeat episodes of “Real Housewives of New Jersey” in that amount of time!
They made it all make sense, though. Each couple performed two routines (with two sets of costumes!) and Cat also explained that partners would be reassigned next week (boo!).
MELISSA & ADE tried their hand (or feet, rather) at a disco routine for their first number. Disco with a touch of ballet, that is. Much like everything they do, there were a lot of lifts. It was almost as entertaining as Disco Night on “Dance Your Ass Off” this past Monday....ALMOST. For a ballerina, Melissa is really good at shaking her ass. Makes you wonder what kind of crazy “Swan Lake” after-parties she attended.
Their second dance was a waltz to “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” Surprise! There were a lot of lifts.
Overall Performance: 7.5 Overall Costumes: 5
KAYLA & KUPONO did a dramatic dance about addiction. Kupono played the part of “drugs,” while Kayla was the junkie, complete with dirty-looking hair and no makeup. (As a footnote, it seems that “drugs” likes to wear lots of guyliner and eyeshadow.) It was very theatrical and moving, causing judge/choreographer Tyce to note that the best dancers are the best actors.
And now for something completely different....their second routine was a Broadway number about love at first sight. The music was from the scene in “West Side Story” where Tony and Maria fall in love....at first sight. While the judges didn’t think they nailed the style, I think that Kayla’s excessive crinolines more than made up for any performance issues.
Overall Performance: 8.5 Overall Costumes: 7.5
CAITLIN & JASON were assigned an American fox trot and Caitlin said that she was excited to maybe get a sparkly costume. I was too...until I saw what she ended up wearing. It was kind of like an Irish flapper. Nigel said that she was so elegant that she should’ve had a glass of champagne in her hand but I was thinking more like a glass of Guinness.
They were in their comfort zone for their second dance, a lyrical jazz routine. The song was good and they executed it well, but it was nothing to write home about.
Overall Performance: 6.5 Costumes: 7 (Mainly because Jason opted not to wear a shirt)
JEANINE & PHILLIP were assigned Russian folk dancing. Random! Nigel worried aloud that the genre may have been too obscure; however, it was performed well. Besides, nothing says fun like some Tetris music and authentic Russian costumes! All that were missing were some nesting dolls and a bottle of vodka. It was just like a trip to EPCOT!
These two always seem to get the good costumes.
