The judges for the Top 10 performance episode included choreographer and producer Nigel Lythgoe, ballroom expert Mary Murphy, and guest judge Neil Patrick Harris, star of "How I Met Your Mother" and host of this year's Tony Awards.
SYTYCD Season 8 - Top 10 Dancers with All-Stars
To begin the evening, jazz dancer Marko performed with All-Star Chelsie. They danced a samba choreographed by Jason Gilkison and set to "Cinema Italiano (The Ron Fair Remix)" by Kate Hudson. Marko kept up with Chelsie's footwork, and was very strong in the style, showing his versatility.
The second couple featured jazz dancer Jordan with All-Star Brandon, performing a contemporary routine choreographed by Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson of Complexions Dance Company. Their routine was set to "Who You Are (Live Acoustic Verson)" by Jessie J, and Jordan received praise from the judges for her fearlessness and emotional vulnerability. Whereas last week they told the choreographers they were tired of only seeing turns and extensions from Jordan, this week, they loved seeing it.
Third, dancing with All-Star Comfort, was b-boy Tadd. They danced a hip hop routine choreographed by Chuck Maldonado and set to "Look at Me Now" by Chris Brown featuring Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes. Tadd was praised for his adaptability to the fast choroegraphy, and the judges commented that he may have out-danced Comfort, who seemed to "cheat" her way through some of the intricate movement.
Next on stage was contemporary dancer Mitchell with All-Star Melody, performing a Broadway jazz routine choreographed by Tyce DiOrio. They danced to "Take Off With Us" from the All That Jazz soundtrack, and the judges were lukewarm at best. While Nigel and Mary would not critique Tyce, Neil Patrick said that the piece was not put together well. All of the judges said Mitchell overdid it with his technique and character, where the Fosse-esque style should have been more delicate and small.
The fifth couple featured contemporary dancer Caitlynn with All-Star Pasha. They danced an Argentine tango choreographed by Miriam Larici & Leonardo Barrionuevo and set to "Malajunta" by Orquesta Color Tango. Caitlynn received a standing ovation from Mary, who said that her technical ability and passion in this dance puts her among the ranks of Miriam and Pasha's partner Anya. She danced (for possibly the first time in this competition) with maturity.
Sixth, dancing with All-Star Twitch, was contemporary dancer Sasha. They performed a hip hop routine choreographed by Christopher Scott and set to "Misty Blue" by Dorothy Moore. Christopher's concept was praised by the judges, as well as Sasha's ability to dance to Twitch's level and finally have chemistry with her partner.
Next on stage was Broadway dancer Jess with All-Star Kathryn, performing a contemporary routine choreographed by Stacey Tookey. They danced to "The Lonely" by Christina Perri, and Jess was praised for his sincerity in the piece, as well as his strength in the lifts.
The eighth couple featured contemporary dancer Melanie with All-Star Pasha. They danced a Viennese waltz choreographed by Jason Gilkison and set to "Everybody Hurts" by Tina Arena. The judges enjoyed the effortless movement and lifts throughout the piece, and said that Melanie danced beautifully.
Ninth, dancing with All-Star Allison, was contemporary dancer Ricky. They performed a jazz routine choreographed by Tyce DiOrio and set to "Precious Things" by Tori Amos. A different character for Ricky, it featured him as Allison's "nightmare", evoking memories of Mia Michaels' "Addiction" piece for Kayla and Kupono. The judges were happy that Ricky stepped up his performance to Allison's level.
The final couple to perform were jazz dancer Clarice with All-Star Robert and a Bollywood routine choreographed by Nakul Dev Mahajan. They performed to "Aila Re Aila" from the Khatta Meetha soundtrack, and the judges enjoyed their piece, saying it was intricate and infectious.
SYTYCD Season 8 - Top 10 Solos
Throughout the episode, the Top 10 dancers were also performing solos in their own styles. Sasha performed her contemporary solo to "Syrup & Honey" by Duffy, then Jess performed his Broadway solo to "Come By Me" by Harry Connick Jr. The third solo performance was Melanie's contemporary solo to "You're the One that I Want" by Angus & Julia Stone, and then Ricky performed his contemporary solo to "Daylight Breaks" by Cassidy Haley.
The fifth solo was Clarice's jazz routine to "Royal T" by Crookers featuring Roisin Murphy, then Mitchell performed his contemporary solo to "This Time" by John Legend. Next on stage was Jordan, with her jazz solo to "Tonight" by Lykke Li, and b-boy Tadd followed with his routine set to "Everything I Can't Have" by Robin Thicke. The ninth solo was Caitlynn's jazz solo to "Cosmic Love" by Florence + The Machine, and, finally, Marko performed his jazz solo to "More Than Anyone (Stripped Version)" by Gavin DeGraw.
On tonight's episode, the results of the voting will be announced, and the judges will send one male dancer and one female dancer home.
Terry Finch - Terry Finch is a dance teacher and choreographer in Central PA with an extensive training and teaching background in many forms of ...
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