Tag Archives: chelsie hightower

Broadway and Jazz in So You Think You Can Dance

Whenever I watch So You Think You Can Dance on YouTube (I’m usually out on Saturday nights while it’s being aired on cable), I’m more interested in watching the hip-hop or even krump routines compared to the other genres. But after seeing these two performances, I’ve now included jazz and Broadway among my favorites. Here’s Sabra Johnson and Neil Haskell in their jazz performance to “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This),” choreographed by Mandy Moore. The song incidentally reminds me of an ice cream commercial that was popular when I was a kid.

Here’s my favorite couple Chelsie Hightower and Mark Kanemura in their steamy Broadway performance to the song “I’m a Woman,” choreographed by Tyce Diorio.

Napoleon and Tabitha’s Choreography in So You Think You Can Dance

 

I first heard of Napoleon and Tabitha D’Uomo (a brilliant husband-and-wife team of choreographers) in So You Think You Can Dance when they did my all-time favorite hip-hop number in the show (more about that at the end of this post). I didn’t really think that much of them until I realized that they choreographed all of my favorite routines this season.

Here they are in reverse order of preference.

# 5 DON’T TOUCH ME by Busta Rhymes

I love this song, but mainly because it’s in one of the ACDC dance battle videos (Adam/Chu Dance Crew, star and director from Step Up 2). Anyway, I thought this was a really funny routine, and I thought Kherington did a pretty good job even though she had no hip-hop background.

# 4 LIKE YOU’LL NEVER SEE ME AGAIN by Alicia Keys

Like one of the judges said, it sort of reminds you of Ghost (starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore). You want them to be together, but they can’t. It is a very moving routine, mainly because of the story-line that Napoleon and Tabitha incorporate into their choreography.

# 3 NO AIR by Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown

https://youtu.be/dRNVyGOkxb4

This is another emotional number with a sad-story line. Joshua is about to go to the war, and is saying goodbye to Katee. Katee isn’t trained in hip-hop as well, but I think she did a pretty good job.

# 2 PARTY PEOPLE by Fergie featuring Nelly

Comfort (the girl) was amazing. Mark isn’t really a hip-hop dancer, but wow. I love how he moves, and I love the steps. I love the song too, and Napoleon and Tabitha are right – the performance just makes you move and groove to the beat.

# 1 BLEEDING LOVE by Leona Lewis

This is my absolute favorite. You can’t watch this without feeling the pain of Chelsie about her workaholic and emotionally aloof husband, Mark. The performance is moving and emotional, and the audience can’t help feeling the same way. Now that’s bleeding love.