'So You Think You Can Dance' Recap - Auditions #4

At the very top of the last audition show, judge Jason Derulo (I still cringe every time I have to write those words together) told the contestants that he “want[s] to see something [he’s] never seen before.” While I hate to agree with Derulo, his statement echoes something I’ve been thinking throughout the start of this season. While I still love So You Think You Can Dance, there is a certain air of been-there-done-that I can’t seem to shake. Perhaps it’s the new Stage Vs. Street shtick. I don’t think the show is tired or overdone but my gut tells me the producers think it is if they implemented a new competitive element. Perhaps the Stage Vs. Street aspect will work, although I’m not sold, but it’s definitely made me look at the show more critically. While there are amazing dancers still to be found, each year it feels harder and harder to be wowed by an audition. After the 50th variation on krumping, they all seem to bleed together. Same goes for beautiful contemporary lines or fancy ballroom legwork. Yes, it’s all about the individual dancer and what they bring to the stage but so far no one has wowed me in the way Ricky or Melanie Moore did in their audition solos. Am I the only one with a certain lack of enthusiasm for this season’s auditions? Let me know in the comments.

When we get to the live shows, I’ll recap and rate each performance but until then, I’ll just talk about the top five auditions in each episode, listed in order of appearance.

Virgil Gadson (Team Street)
This street dancer, who starred on Broadway’s “After Midnight,” had perhaps the best audition of the NY auditions. Combining fantastic hip-hop and street dancing techniques with a physicality that was part Michael Jackson and part Charlie Chaplin, Virgil’s audition was wildly entertaining yet technically sound.

Alain “Hurricane” Lauture (Team Street)
Why more dancers don’t set routines to Bobby McFerrin is beyond me. McFerrin’s exuberant and skillful music was matched by Hurricane’s equally fun and assured moves. Much like McFerrin, as well, he made something incredibly complicated look oh so easy.

Kenya Welch & Connor Birmingham (Team Stage)
My favorite Stage routine of the night, Kenya and Connor’s subtly beautiful solo showed off two highly skilled modern dancers. Although I must say I found it hard to take my eyes off of Kenya, a magnetic and emotionally mature 18-year-old dancer.

Darius Drooh (Team Stage)
Yes, there was a bit too much windmill action going on, but Darius might have been the most gifted technician so far tonight. With an almost tribal sensibility, Darius’ tough but vulnerable solo was emotionally attached and very well executed.

Alyssa Guerrieri (Team Stage)
Foxy granny aside, Alyssa is a gorgeous dancer who used the dark, emotional weight of her audition song to tell a complete story.

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Others Who Got A Golden Ticket Included:

- Alexia Meyer (Team Stage) who did seem nervous in her fierce, rhythmic performance.

- Korey Cleveland (Team Street) who on one hand, is a really interesting dancer but whose (somewhat forgettable) dancing was overshadowed by an emotional backstory.

- Justin Ballasy (Team Stage) whose taps were hyper-rhythmic, precise and clean but were devoid of any musicality or emotional connection.

- Angely “Cookie” Deaza who brought a strange, otherworldly quality to her side of the duet, but whose distractingly blank facial expressions left me cold.