So You Think You Can Dance 9 - Los Angeles Auditions - Recap

Tonight, SYTYCD heads to Los Angeles for the second audition show of Season 9. The talent was at an extremely high level, and I am so excited to start my recapping here with such a great two hours!

First up is Alexa Anderson, who was the last girl not to make last year’s Top 10 girls. Dancers that have ended up just missing a spot in one season and then coming back the next year have had a mixed track record. Some had great success like runner-ups Brandon Bryant and tWitch, while others flamed out in Vegas like Natalie Reid and Ryan Kasprzak. To be honest, however, what happened to Natalie was totally wrong, but that is a discussion for another day! Anyways, Alexa is a very nice dancer, and has definitely improved from last year. She has a controlled jerkiness to her movements (think Sonya Tayeh choreography) that reads very interesting. I will say though, I wish she had not worn the skirt she auditioned with, as it interfered with her lines. She gets sent straight through to Vegas, and I cannot disagree with that.

Johnny “Waacks” Gibson is next to audition, using the style of waacking. To be perfectly honest, I am not the biggest fan of waacking. It always comes across as a watered down and less dramatic version of voguing, which just seems pointless. In my opinion, you either commit to the spectacle, the drama that is voguing, or you do not attempt it. Sadly, Johnny’s audition does little to change my mind. His hand and arm technique along with his spins are great, but overall his movements just come across too stifled. It is like he is holding himself back, and it clearly comes across in his performance. Johnny makes it to choreo, but not Vegas, which is the right decision for me.

Next up is Eliana Girard, who is a Circus du Soleil performer. Eliana is a very good technical performer, especially her legwork, but I am just so-so about her performance. The way in which she carried herself, such as her posture in her midsection, was just too stiff. Her performance looked like she had a metal rod running down her spine, not allowing her to move freely enough. Clearly, however, the judges disagree with me and send her right through to Vegas. I hope Eliana proves me wrong there, because I would love to see the spark the Nigel and co were talking about.

Following Eliana are the two new loves of my life, Nick and James, the Ninja Twins. From the start, it is clear people will either love or hate these boys. Well, count me in the former camp. They are divine as far as I am concerned, and had me busting out laughing. I was totally expecting their dancing to be only so-so, but I actually really enjoyed their performance as well. Tragically, SYTYCD cuts their age limit at 30, so this will be the last we see of the two 32-year-olds. Snaps up to them though, for a fantastic segment.

After my new spirit animals leave the stage, Sam Lenarz is up with our first sob story of the night. Sam was kicked out of her house by her mom for some unspecified reason, and it is really taking an emotional toll on her. Not to sound too cold, but I always hate when reality shows go this route when it comes to their contestants. I could really care less about her backstory, and the emotional manipulation that the producers are attempting to attach to it. Just let the girl dance, and let the audience inform their opinions from that. And if anything, I am more upset about the use of Sam’s personal history on the audience, because the girl does not need it. She is a great dancer, who would have easily won me over on the strength of her performance alone. She has such a beautiful hold to her movements, and really utilizes her amazing control to create an impression. Of course that does not stop the judges from milking her story for all it is worth, however, and prodding her with personal questions in front of a theater of people. Thankfully, after getting sent to choreography, Sam makes it to Vegas. I feel like she will be one to watch.

Tapper Caley Carr is the next to audition. Caley is a surfer bro, and is rocking quite the awesome handlebar mustache. He is also quite adorable in both his demeanor and looks, so I find myself falling in love a little. Can you really blame me? Caley’s routine was quite nice, and really had a good sense of musicality like Nigel said. In the end, however, he could not keep up with the choreo round, and was sent home. He truly must of not been that good, because Nigel loves diversity when it comes to types of dance, and especially loves tappers.

After the break, Megan Branch auditions. Megan is the perfect example of how the judges on this show can sometimes overreact to a contemporary dancer. I cannot deny Megan’s skill, but I do not think her performance is anywhere near the level that the judges were suggesting. In my opinion, she was definitely lacking, and just did not have the command that she should have. I think the judges saw somebody that they could grow, and were projecting the kind of dancer that Megan could be on her performance. In other words, they overestimated her abilities and put her through to Vegas not based on what she presented, but what she could down the road. That does not mean I did want her to progress in the competition; I just was not falling all over myself like panel.

Speaking of command, karate kid Cole Horibe has a ton of it. The amount of presence Cole had in his performance was astounding. The way he just threw himself into some of his movements, and then stopped them on a dime was breathtaking. I really loved his strength, and was very happy he made it to Vegas. I do hope he can bring other movement to his dance, because I would love to see what he looks like vulnerable and gentle.

David Matz’s performance was also very interesting. I question, like the judges, how much of what he showed was dance though. His ring act was very mesmerizing, but I feel strange defining it as a dance act. I have no definite definition for what dance is, but I feel like I know when I see it, and that was not it. Regardless, I am glad he got his chance at choreo, and was sad not see him make it through.

Steven Jacobsen then auditioned, and illustrated why attempting to just be different for the sake of it is not worth it. Steven is a brilliant ballet dancer, we are talking Danny Tidwell level of technique, but was too caught up in showing the judges something new that it almost cost him a chance at Vegas. Luckily, he was allowed a second performance and really pulled out something beautiful for it. Steven was easily the most trained and technically proficient dancer we saw tonight, and I am interested in seeing how he fares.

We then had a flash from the past with Season 4 contestant Jonathan Anzalone returning to audition. I actually really enjoyed Jonathan’s performance this time around, and was a little flabbergasted when the judges were giving only faint praise. Moreover, Nigel is always going on about how he needs this to not only be a competition, but also a television show. Here he is presented with a character with some pretty impressive dance skill, that he just cuts in the choreography round. It is a mistake as far as I am concerned, and I feel like we all lost out on some golden television with Jonathan’s elimination.

Our final pair tonight was a brother and sister involved in a car accident just six weeks before their auditions, Jasmine Mason and Marshea Kidd. Jasmine appeared to walk away from the crash relatively unharmed, but Marshea was not so lucky. He ended up in a coma for two days, and sustained broken neck along with other injuries. Jasmine danced first, and instantly became my favorite of the season. Everything she did I absolutely loved. She perfectly combined her athleticism and technique with a sensuality, which reminded me so much of Season 7’s winner Lauren Froderman. If she does not make the Top 20, I will be a little devastated. Marshea was also good, and you had to be dumb to not think he was not going to make it through. The only thing I could really think, however, is whether or not he should be dancing. Seems like he is just asking for another injury.

And that wraps up one the best audition episodes this show has ever had. The level of talent on display, along with some great humor, made me really love these two hours. I also really appreciated that no mediocre or poor auditions were shown tonight. They always seem like a waste of space, and take away opportunities for real dancers to shine.

I just want to take this opportunity to also say how excited I am to following this show and others here on Rickey.org, and hope it is going to be great summer!