SYTYCD S5 Ep. 4 VEGAS BABY!!!

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SHOW START -

Vegas callbacks - basically "Hell Week" for dancers. It's four grueling days where they are purposely pushed to the limits to see who can take it and who will break: mentally and physically.  They need to know that whoever is chosen will be able to last.  I couldn't do it, but let's see who can.

172 Dancers made it from the six city auditions.

Judges (for the whole week): Nigel, Mary, Mia, Lil C, Adam, & Debbie Allen (You want Fame, well Fame costs!)

Day 1 -

ROUND 1 -
Starts with Solos.  This is a new part of the auditions.  They claim it is to remind the judges how each dancer got to Vegas in the first place.   The dancers will all perform with no judges feedback, but then it's time for first round cuts. 

Showcased:
Alex Wong - Contemporary (Miami)

• Smart move going shirtless - he's ripped
• OMG!  WOW!!! AMAZING!!!
  
• I honestly liked this performance so much more than his Miami audition.  He was looser, but more flashy and acrobatic. 
  
• That was a really technically flawless performance enhanced by a great body.
• Very impressive start of the show.
  

Tony Bellisimo - Hip Hop (Brooklyn)

• Did he actually do any dancing?
• Yes, he was entertaining at Nigel's expense, but I really wasn't impressed.
  

Montage of solos - They showed many of the originally showcased dancers from the auditions plus some I had not seen before.

By 5PM, the solos were over and the judges decided who would be cut from the first round.

Nigel tells the dancers that he didn't know when they started if anyone would be cut, but after watching the solos, he was going to cut dancers.  After watching everyone, some people may have done well in the own cities, but were not good enough to continue compared to the rest of the dancers.  Dancers would remain if they received one "yes" vote from any of the six judges.

45 Dancers cut - (Not all inclusive)
Kayla Costa (don't know her)
Erica Ray (don't know her)
Travis Prokop
Talia Rickards
Chimezie Nwosu
Devin Oshiro (sad - crying)

Tony Bellisimo - Gets to stay because he's entertaining, but he needs to work on his dancing

ROUND 2 - Hip Hop with NappyTabs - Boom Boom Pow (BEP)

Showcased:
Gabi Rojas - Contemporary (Brooklyn)

• She got lost in the choreo and didn't look too good
• Judges let her stay only because her solo was unique, but said her current performance was not good
  

Judges commentary about someone - "she's terrible - get rid of her"  OUCH

In line with Gabi is Pauline Mata (red shirt).  Pauline is from Dellos Dance (my old dance studio).  I've actually known her since she was young, but have lost touch with her since moving to Atlanta.  Her Mom did the videography for our wedding.  Go Pauline!  She made it through the first round.

Montage of more dancers during Hip Hop.  Here's who made it that I recognized quickly. 

• Amanda Kerby (even though I can tell hip hop is NOT her strength).
• Priscilla Marrero
  
• Brandon Bryant
  
• Evan Kasprzak
  

37 Dancers were cut from Hip Hop

TOTAL 82 DANCERS CUT DAY 1 (*90 Dancers remain)
*I guess I can't do math because Cat just said there are 96 Dancers left, but 172-45-32 = 90.  I'm confused.

Day 2 -

ROUND 3 - Ballroom (Waltz) with Jean-Marc Genereaux (Song ?)
*OK, now Cat says there are 97 dancers left...seriously SYTYCD, get your math straight!!!

Showcased:
Arielle Coker - Contemporary (LA)

• She got cut
  

Phillip Chbeeb - Hip Hop (LA)

• Dancing with an Asian girl
• He looks nice in his suit vest and tie
• Made it through even though it was rough

Maksim Kapitonnikov, Asuka Kondoh, & Ricky Sun all breezed through Ballroom (even though they are all Latin Ballroom dancers).

Also made it:

• Kayla Radomski
• Priscilla Marrero
  

Nobuya Nagahama - Hip Hop (Brooklyn)

• He's a locker, not a ballroom dancer
• He was actually quite smooth, and didn't stand out negatively
• Judges impressed by him
• Made it through
• He's crying - he'd only taken five months of classes and messed up a lot in them, but acknowledges the help of his teachers.

16 Dancers Cut

ROUND 4 - Jazz with Sonya Tayeh (Great DJ - The Ting Tings)

Saw Rebecca Hart was still in it

They show dancers who have injured themselves already: foot problems, chin problems, neck problems, and one dancer (I think it's Henry Rivero - but not sure) kicked himself in the face.

Was that Paula VanOppen who had ice on her chin?  If so, she cut her hair WAY shorter than before.  I think that was her face, but then again, I usually only see her dancing.  =)

Jason Glover fell down and smacked his head like a "football hit".

If you don't know Sonya's choreography, it's pretty brutal.  She does a lot of flops to the ground and crazy moves.  My sister had HUGE bruises after taking a master class from her before. 

Showcased:
Sonya pulled Natalie Reid & Brandon Bryant up to show everyone what she is looking for.  They dance to a "pop" song, but the choreography is strong and thrashing.  They both look great doing this style.

Natalie Reid - Contemporary (Denver)

• Katee's old roommate
• I have loved both her auditions the past two seasons because she has a simplicity that is so deceiving of its difficulty
• During her time to actually audition in front of the judges it's like a different dancer came and took Natalie's place because she seemed to lack the confidence in the moves she had when she danced with Brandon.  It looked awkward.  Judges seemed to notice as well.
  
• CUT - This shocks the other dancers because they thought she'd have made the show
  

Brandon Bryant - Contemporary (Denver)

• He was one of my favorite male auditioners last year and was even better this year.
  
• He better make it!!!
• Brandon is crying after Natalie gets cut and he says he's going to dance for her now.
• He really is a great dancer.  He looked consistent from his practice run with Natalie.  I wonder if she danced better because he was her partner.  I bet it had something to do with it.
  
• WOW on judges comments - Lil C and Mia both agreed that they aren't impressed with him at all (WHAT??!?!).  But Nigel supported him and said he is brilliant and to not let the words of other judges make him lose confidence, but rather build on it.  Nigel said he'd support him as long as Brandon continued to impress him.  I don't agree that Brandon is one of the BEST dancers they've ever had, but I will say I like him and support him.
• Brandon leaves the stage and is heard saying, "That was really hard especially after Natalie leaving."  He is crying over her departure because he cares about her and he wants to prove to himself that he can do it.  Go Brandon!!!

People who made it (that I recognize):

• Priscilla Marrero
• Jason Glover
• Asuka Kondoh
  
• Romulo Villaverde (really, he's still there...)

Last group for Jazz included:

• Gabi Rojas (not good at all)
  
• Rey Barcena
• Janette Manrara (she was good)
• Pauline Mata (she's still in it - yay!)

Judges - Gabi broke their hearts. She disappointed them because they were wrong about her being great.  OUCH!  Debbie Allen can deliver some blows can't she.  Gabi gets to dance for her life.  Well, at least she has one more shot.  Nigel looked so sad that his dancer wasn't good enough for the show.   She needs 3 yeses to stay.

She has to dance IMMEDIATELY!!!  No prep, just GO!  No pressure AT ALL!

• It's like she's two people also, but her solo was beautiful versus Natalie getting worse.  She has great musicality and her moves are very unique.
  
• Debbie is asking what happened before because she has IT.
• Mia - yes
• Lil C - yes
• Mary - yes
• Adam - yes
  
• Debbie - yes
• Nigel - yes 
  

SHE MADE IT THROUGH ONE MORE ROUND.

Sammy Ramirez - Popper got cut.  Darn...he was so good in his own style and I loved his BIG smile. 

7 Dancers Cut

73 Dancers Remain

Day 2.5 - 3 -

ROUND 5 - NO SLEEP FOR YOU!

Evening Group Routines - Broken into groups and randomly choose a CD.  Group must choreograph a number and perform early the next morning.

1st group:

• Includes:  Erik "Silky" Moore - Tapper (Miami)
• Clashing personalities
• Group also includes Paula VanOppen
• They went to bed at 2:30am and decided they'd come back in the morning early to continue (that's never a good idea).
• Eric said he'd do a solo if the group failed.
• That was pretty comical.  No one was together, their styles were all mixed up.  I felt no cohesiveness and it looked like five people who improved together. 
  
• Judges - You can't keep the beat.  Why did you sleep if you weren't comfortable with it?  Paula was crying as she explained their problems.  Eric gets to Dance for His Life. 
  
• Lil C - tells Paula she shouldn't have given up, but is making it barely on the quality of her dance.  Paula, still crying, apologizes to her team (to the camera) and knows she got lucky.
  

2nd group:

• Included Romulo Villaverde and Henry Rivero
  
• It was really lame and elementary
• Adam said it was BARF - LOL
• Don't know results
  

3rd group:

• Had the best song - Imogen Heap like, but had some really bad choreo
• Didn't know anyone in the group
  

4th group:

• Has Nobuya Nagahama in the group being a clown
• I think it also had Rey Barcena and Diana Vaden
• Nigel - Congratulations that is the WORST routine ever
• Looks like Rey got cut
• Nobuya made it through
  

5th group:

• Included Brandon, Maksim, Kayla, & Priscilla
• IDK, it was OK.  It had an interesting "push" concept, but seemed so commercial
• Judges - Fun. Mia is a biyatch again to Brandon telling him he needs to step it up. She says, "I'm a cutter and I will cut you.".  Then she gets annoyed because he's smiling (maybe he's nervous).  But in the end they all made it because they were fighters.

6th group:

• I have no idea who anyone was in that number, but they all made it through

7th group:

• Cute swing like number
• Ricky Sun was in that group
• Tony Bellisimo was in that group (apparently, he's gotten better since his solo)
  

8th group:

• Jason Glover in this group - he looked really good
  
• They got the Imogen Heap like song
• Adam said Jason was "so" SYTYCD and he'd be surprised if he didn't make it.  I hope he does well also.  I still remember his Baby's Romance solo from last year when he danced for his life (even though Matt Dorame's version replaced it during Season 4)

9th group:

• Nerdography - spontaneous explosion of dance when a tune and hot girl walks by
  
• The boys are nerds and girls are "hot"
• Very cute number.  Reminded me of ABDC.  I liked the stepping in the middle. Their number felt complete compared to many bad numbers.
  
• Group included Ryan Kasprzak (Evan's brother).
• Adam Shankman- group made him miss dancing awwww

68 Dancers left

Erik "Silky" Moore - Dance for His Life

• A Cappella routine - He had great feet but no spirit.  Where was the joy and performance?  He didn't even show facials. 
  
• I think he's out. 
  
• Mia - No
• Nigel - No
• Debbie - No
• Lil C - No = CUT
  

Day 3.5 -

ROUND 6 - Contemporary with Mia (always a KILLER!)

Showcased:
Tony Bellisimo - Hip Hop (Brooklyn)

•  I didnt think that was bad.  Obviously he lacks technique, but he had good movement.
• He breathed with the motion and I felt his emotion.
• I think he could be improve like many hip hoppers before him (think Ivan - Season 2).
• Judges - They said they like him as a person, but his dancing wasn't good enough.
• They are allowing him to repeat the choreography again by himself. 

Cut dancers:

• Amanda Kerby - She was one of their favs and they hope she keeps working and returns.  She was very gracious and still beautiful crying.
• Nobuya Nagahama - He really went far considering he's a locker.

Megan Kinney - Contemporary (Miami)

• I liked her sister more in the auditions
• I didn't feel her performance.  She dances, but it feels forced.  I wish she'd breathe more into each movement.
• Judges - A lot of people like her, but Nigel was iffy (Ross likes her, even though I think her sister is way better) / She's moving on

 Caitlin Kinney - Contemporary (Memphis)

• Ok, what happened?  At first she looked good, but started melting down.
• Then she LOST it.  =(  Oh no!!!
• Give her another chance, please!!
• Judges - She didn't get enough votes, but must immediately Dance for Her Life
• Thank you judges!
• C'mon girl, I know you can DO IT!
• Dances to Adele and is beautiful.  Not as great as her first solo, but still pretty to watch.
• Judges - Routine is old fashioned and she needs to bring herself up to current dancing.
• Nigel - Yes
• Debbie - Yes
• Mia - No
• Lil C - No
• Adam - No
• Mary - Yes
• She scraped by! Phew!

Ryan Kasprzak - Tapper (Memphis)

• He looked good and really committed to it.
• Judges - He's in

Evan Kasprzak - Jazz (Memphis)

• He's also good. 
  
• Judges - He's in

Other dancers who made it through (based on what I could tell):
Paris Torres
Jason Glover
Kayla Radomski
Janette Manrara
Pono Aweau

Tony Bellisimo - 2nd chance - gets to dance with the last group of dancers.  I thought he had to dance by himself...guess not.

• I think he looked worse than the first time.  His lack of technique, especially in his lines and feet was evident.
• Judges - They kept him.  I personally think they kept him because he's a hip hopper, a character, and has personality.  I bet they waited for the end of the day to see how many other hip hop males they kept before deciding if Tony was good enough to stay.  Gotta keep their diversity quota.
  
• You can tell he wants it though...he's happy.  The judges were crying too. 

13 Dancers cut

54 Dancers left

Day 4 -

ROUND 7 - Broadway with Tyce (West Side Story)

• All girl routine & all male routine (split up)

THE GIRLS -

Bianca Revels - Tapper (LA)

• She's out...you could see the disappointment in her face when Nigel said, Thanks for your hard work
• She thinks they made a mistake and won't be coming back.  Hmmm...I thought she didn't quit?  Why give up now?
  

In the cut group was also Alexie Agdeppa (from Dellos Dance).

Megan Kinney, Gabi Rojas, & Priscilla Marrero were all cut.  Caitlyn Kinney is crying for her sister.

Remaining girls - Top 16 include (but not all inclusive):

1. Caitlin Kinney
2. Asuka Kondoh
   
3. Janette Manrara
4. Paris Torres
   
5. Diana Vaden
   
6. Pauline Mata
7. Paula VanOppen
8. Melissa Sanvig (Naughty Ballerina)
9. Karla Garcia (auditioned in Denver - was not named in audition, but found a blog identifying her).
   

THE BOYS -

Pono shaved off his hair =(

Remaining boys - Top 16 include (but not all inclusive):

1. Evan Kasprzak
2. Ryan Kasprzak
3. Ricky Sun
4. Alex Wong
5. Pono Aweau
   
6. Brandon Bryant
   
7. Jason Glover
8. Tony Bellisimo
9. Maksim Kapitonnikov
   
10. Phillip Chbeeb

Top 32 must ALL perform their solos one last time!

TOP 20 WILL BE CHOSEN TOMORROW!!!

*biting nails*

From the preview of tomorrow's episode, I bet the last Guy slot will be between the Kasprzak brothers and I think Evan will make it because he's younger looking.