SYTYCD S5 Ep. 1 Auditions - Brooklyn & Denver

---------------------------------------------------------------
SHOW START -

Intro sequence highlights the best and some foibles from potential contestants.  Within that segment I saw someone I know dancing!!!  Looking good as always!  =)

Starting the auditions in Brooklyn and Cat Deeley is so cute dancing with the contestants waiting in line.



DAY 1 BROOKLYN -

Judges:  Nigel, Mary, & NappyTabs

Gabi Rojas - Contemporary

• Circus family with rheumatoid arthritis / a good back story will always get you more air time
• She has an athletic frame, like a gymnast
• Good control and extension, bird like movement fits well with music
• Loved the part where she moves into a split without hands and then does isolations
• She's a little stiff through her core, but overall, beautiful performance
• She received a standing ovation from some judges and fellow contestants
  

Nigel - best performance in 5 yrs (technique & performance).  He thinks she's a shoe-in for Top 20.  BIG WORDS and expectations.  Never know what Vegas will do to people or if they perform as well in Vegas.

Straight to Vegas - deserved

I worry for her body if she can handle the rigors of this competition, and also wonder if she can pull off the other genres.

Storyboard-P & Hobgoblin -  (The Mutations) Hip Hop

• Hip Hop? It's like BONECRUSHERS from ABDC
• Guess this style IS a Brooklyn thing because that's where Bonecrushers were also from
• Think creepy contortionism and slow almost frightening moves....not really my thing
• OK, I know they replaced their audition music (they do that when the original music doesn't clear), but why did they have to pick something that sounded like it should have been in Karate Kid or any other cheesy 80's movie?
• Judges looked creeped out.  My thought, what else can you do besides circus-like moves?  It's more performance art than dance to me.
  

Judges want to see more dance - Onto choreography (just because they are different)

They're lucky they get that chance, but I doubt they'll make it onto Vegas.

Katherine Leach - Ballroom (Latin?)

• "Crazy Kate" & partner Ron
• At least she's honest that her performance was her best dancing, even if it wasn't good at all.
• She was cut
  

Peter Sabasino - Tapper

• Italian - family oriented / Didn't try out last year because he was scared (ha)
• WONDERFUL FEET - The boy can tap, but WHY is he wearing that outfit?
• Seriously, he's wearing a wifebeater with basketball shorts that go to his ankles, then white athletic socks and wingtip tap shoes. 
• His overall impression would have been helped with a better first impression
  

Nigel - said he was a tap dancing boxer with stank face
Mary - she agreed with me about his horrible outfit
NappyTabs - liked him (and he said he's versed in all other styles)

Straight to Vegas off that performance

Tiffany Geigel - Contemporary

• Woman with drawfism where her spine didn't straighten (less vertebrae) - she doesn't have a neck
• She says it hurts her feelings when people don't believe she is a dancer
• She has really long legs and had one nice leg extension
• As a dancer, I know it must be difficult to perform pique turns when you can't spot your center.  I admire her determination to keep dancing.
  

Nigel - Provided technical critique regarding her extensions (bent knees & bad arms).  Sometimes honesty is the best advice to make someone better.  Used her as inspiration against people who say they can't do something.  She received a standing O from the judges and contestants.

She got cut.  She said she didn't expect to make it, but wanted to prove a point that people like her could dance.

Maksim Kapitannikov - Ballroom (Latin)

• Auditioning with Faina from Season 3 (Stanislov from Season 2's sister).  He's hoping that will give him an edge.
• He's not good looking like Dmitry (Season 2), but he did do all the moves that are normally done in Latin ballroom and he did them well. 
• I think he looks kind of old, and may be losing his hair.  Also, his belly showed when he danced, and he had bell bottoms on. 
• I bet they'll keep him because it's harder to find good ballroom dancers, especially the male ones.
  

Nigel - He liked that he didn't pull any faces except for 2 winks LOL
Mary - His partner skills were good, but Faina was distracting because she's so good

Off to choreo to see if he can do anything else.  I think they'll keep him.

--------------------------------------------------------------
Montage of people going straight to Vegas.  I saw mostly contemporaries, one hip hop, and a ballroom couple who did waltz, which was a rarity.
--------------------------------------------------------------

Nobuya Nagahama - Hip Hop

• New style right now "boom boom boom kah kah kah"
• He claims he "vogues", "locks", "taps", "ballets", but no "breaking" (all in quotes because his examples all looked like the same arm movements)
• OK, he was entertaining despite his interview.  Granted it was mostly locking with a little splash of remedial jazz and an 8-count of gank.  I think he was entertaining and did some cute moves, but what substance was there really, or technique?  I don't think it's enough.
  

Nigel - Tokyo has two great lockers and he's similar.  Nigel fears that most lockers only lock.  Nobuya's response, "My favorite is locking.  I put some other stuff in...and I don't like it."

Enough said..his locking is enough to get him to choreo.

--------------------------------------------------------------
45 dancers in choreography with Lauren Gottlieb (Season 3)

Lauren said her combo mixes contemporary, hip hop, ballroom together because it's Season 5 and you need to be able to do it all.

The Mutations quit before they danced (knew it...out of their league here)

Maksim Kapitannikov - struggled, but they let him through (called it)
Nobuya Nagahama - they see promise in him, Vegas bound (he did look better than expected)

In the end, 27 dancers from Brooklyn Day 1 made it through.
(I hear Cut Copy in the background)



DAY 2 BROOKLYN -

Judges:  Nigel, Mary, & NappyTabs

Arielle Taylor - Contemporary

• Auditioned Season 3, went to Vegas and was cut.
• Nigel recognized her and remembered liking her
• Strong contemporary dancer with good technique, beautiful turns, and intensity
• Because there are so many contemporary dancers, I think she is good, but was not blown away by her
  

Vegas bound

Thomas Martin & Amanda Clark- Ballroom (Bolero)

• He's a 6 time national baton twirling champion (that does not make him seem cool, nor does the way they were dancing in the introduction)
• This is a scary performance that should be sexy, but it felt awkward and uncomfortable.  Both not in shape enough for this show, nor had the technique needed.
  

Mary - this is a bronze level novice routine...not good...and they're out

Montage of bad - laughable (sorry people)

Nina Estrina & Igor Zabrodin - Ballroom (Latin)

• Been together for three years performing part of their cha-cha routine
• She has a sexy body and looks good even without dancing, always a plus for the show.  He's kind of goofy looking, but if he does his job, we won't even be looking at him.
• Nigel likes her, he has his dirty old man grin on
• They were really good.  They did a sit and spin where she revolved at least 16-times and looked like she didn't have any legs.  Pretty impressive.
  

Nigel - loved
Mary - longest "pot stir" (that's what it's called).  She was impressed because no one does it that long.

On to choreography to see how they do w/o each other
 
Kellen Stancil - Contemporary

• Great breath in routine.  Used an umbrella.
• Very emotional dancer that made you feel something, even if his technique faltered a little when he fell out of an inside turn and resorted to hops, or he stepped onto his releve.  I saw those things, but the feeling overpowered that.  I enjoyed his performance. 
• Umbrella meaning - lost his Aunt recently and she loved watching him dance.  The umbrella covers you and it represents his Aunt as his protector, safety. He cried. 
  

The judges loved the performance because he connected to an emotional place and danced beautifully.  Vegas bound (Yes!  I'm choked up right now)

Chimezie Nwosu - Hip Hop

• Danced to very pedestrian music and felt like he was part of an engine
• Had some good flips (running up off a wall when there was no wall, and then doing it even better when there was an actual wall)
• Entertaining, but not a lot of dancing
  

Nigel - liked his choreography, but performance was fun, but he needs to see more from him
Mary - very entertaining
NappyTabs - Not a lot of meat, but good performer

On to choreography

--------------------------------------------------------------
Nina Estrina - OUT / Wow...didn't see that one coming
Igor Zabrodin - Vegas
Chimezie Nwusu - Vegas / I thought he sucked...what did they see that I missed?

In the end, 14 dancers from Brooklyn Day 2 made it through.

THAT'S 41 DANCERS TOTAL FROM NY



DAY 1 DENVER -

Judges: Nigel, Mary, Sonya Tayeh (wonderfully athletic choreography - she's the one w/ the crazy mohawk)

Kayla Radomski - Contemporary

• Back story - grandparents sacrifice for her dream
• Great cover of Blackbird (but aren't the Beatles on the unapproved list?)
• AMAZING arches (feet), very clean and wonderful extensions esp the double pirouette into off center leg grab.
• She's cute, has long legs...I think she'll do well in the competition, as long as being young doesn't hinder her
  

Judges loved her - good angles, great feet, beautiful - Vegas

Awwww...her grandparents are crying, so cute (except when they were cheering, Nigel told grandma jokingly to shut up.  That's rude Nigel!)

Montage of about 6 girls who Sonya just loved (they were good contemporary dancers)

Misha Belfer & Mitchel Kibel (Mitch) - Ballroom (first same sex couple auditioning)

• They do same sex ballroom dancing (Misha is gay and Mitch is straight)
• Mitch had a female partner that didn't work out so now he just wants to dance in any capacity he can, even if it is with another man.
• Judges look confused upon entry to the stage
• They took a nasty tumble during a "lift" where one person is flung around the legs
  

Nigel - style was good, he doesn't think he likes it because he likes guys to dance as men and women as women
Mary - Confused because lead/follow would switch, needs better technique
Sonya - challenged classical form

Nigel make a quip that he'd like to see them dance with a girl and they may like it too.  Then Cat's voiceover was, "So Mitch isn't out yet, and Misha is sticking it out too."

(sigh SYTYCD - not very subtle, but you are on Fox, so I understand why you're being this way)

--------------------------------------------------------------
Choreography Round (22 dancers)

Misha Belfer & Mitchel Kibel (Mitch) - Neither made it  (They actually weren't very good; it's not all "message")

In the end,  11 dancers from Denver Day 1 made it through.



DAY 2 DENVER -

Judges: Nigel, Mary, Sonya Tayeh

Allison Moist - Other planet dancing?

• She was dressed as a cat dancing to Star Wars theme song using light saber props
• It was REALLY REALLY BAD!!!
  

Judges can't believe she seriously thinks she's good or that she could be a professional dancer - She's out

Montage of the bad - very scary group included a girl dancing with a dummy.  Nigel was PISSED off by how bad the dancers were.

Elias Holloway - Hip Hop

• Tried out with younger brother, but brother only 16, so just Elias trying out.
• Youngest of 14 kids (7 boys & 7 girls).  Family either swam or danced.  
• Liked their audition music, nice electronica
• Had a few good moves, entertaining, but didn't love, not that great
  

Judges loved him and said he'd be great for dance commercials and TV.  Mary said it was the "cutest" thing she'd seen in five years.  On to choreography.  Honestly, I think they were happy to see something semi-good after all the crap performances before.  I didn't think it was THAT good at all.

Didn't notice this before, but Mary is wearing a full fringe suede vest and a plaid shirt.  Isn't that taking the cowboy theme a little too far?  I really don't like the way she dresses.

OOOOOHHHHH - Nice last two dancers, #21 and #22 who didn't make Season 4.  Awesome.

Natalie Reid - Contemporary

• Roommate of Katee Shean (Season 4 - 3rd place) and almost made it when Katee said she wouldn't try out again if she didn't make it.  At that moment I really rooted for Natalie because I thought she wanted it more at the time.  I actually held a grudge against Katee for a few shows until I realized she was magnificent.
• I loved her solo last year and this one is even better.  She has a way with movement that makes everything so "organic" and natural. She moves so simplistically, yet you can tell how much more control and technique it takes to make the moves look that easy.  Beautiful!
• No doubt she's going to Vegas again.
• She's so much prettier this year.  The red hair suits her well.
  

Judges loved her - yup - organic, real, intent, connection, etc.  They think she'll make it this year.  They said she has progressed even more.
VEGAS

Cute, she called Katee to tell her.

Brandon Bryant - Contemporary

• He lost out in the last slot to Gev (Season 4).  He was was one of my favorite males and I was so disappointed when he didn't make the show.  He danced to the theme from Requiem for a Dream last year and it was athletic, powerful, technical, and captivating.
• OMG!!!!  That was even more brilliant than last year.  He has gained even more control, finesse, and musicality.  I love the Nosferatu music too.
  

Things I loved:

1. Middle split floor walk - creepy in a cool way
2. His JUMPS - so high
3. After moving throughout the stage, he is able to center himself into a releve on one foot and holds it for almost 8 counts without wobbling
4. After expending all that energy he ends with a crescendo of multiple flips, jumps, and turns and never loses his intensity
   

Only criticism is he needs to work on his arch, but that's super minor.  I hope he makes it this year.

Mary was crying big time because she was impressed by him
Nigel - said if he has a bigger personality, he'd have a better chance this year (and to work on his weaker areas)
VEGAS

--------------------------------------------------------------
Choreography Round (16 dancers)

Elias Holloway - he's out, needs more training (glad they finally saw it my way LOL)

In the end, 8 dancers from Denver Day 2 made it through

THAT'S 19 TOTAL DANCERS FROM DENVER

---------------------------------------------------------------

NEXT WEEK = MIAMI & MEMPHIS