So You Think You Can Dance Season 6 Top 18

The Top 18 Dancers of SYTYCD Perform for the Judges and Elimination

Nov 4, 2009

The sixth season of the popular television show 'So You Think You Can Dance' continues with the top nine female and nine male dancers, performing in pairs for the judges.

At the beginning of this episode, executive producer and judge Nigel Lythgoe ties up some loose ends from the previous episode. In speaking with the producers and rule makers, he confirms that Billy Bell (who made the Top 20 but left due to illness) will be able to come into the competition next season at the Top 100 stage in Las Vegas. Also, Brandon Dumlao, who was a last-minute replacement for Billy in the Top 20 episode (and was cut at the end of that episode), will be able to audition for the show again in the future. The show rule that dancers making the Top 20 are not able to audition again has been waived for this situation.

The judges for this Top 18 episode are choreographer and director Adam Shankman, ballroom dance expert Mary Murphy, and Nigel Lythgoe.

The Top 18 Dancers Perform

The first pair is contemporary dancer Noelle Marsh (returning from last week's knee injury) and krumper Russell Ferguson. Their style is hip hop, choreographed by Jamal Sims. They perform to "Move Shake Drop Remix" by DJ Laz, Flo Rida and Casely. Overall, the judges are not impressed with the performance, and think that the dancers were overwhelmed by the speed of the steps and the tennis-playing characters that Jamal Sims gave them.

The second couple of the episode is latin ballroom dancer Ashleigh DiLello and contemporary dancer Jakob Karr, performing a Viennese Waltz, choreographed by Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin. The song is "At Last" by Etta James, and the couple is dressed as a bride and groom. Both dancers are praised for their versatility, and the judges think they were able to pull off the characters nicely.

Next on stage is tap dancer Biana Revels, paired with contemporary dancer Victor Smalley. The style is broadway, choreographed by Tyce DiOrio, and set to "Maybe God Is Tryin' to Tell You Something" from The Color Purple soundtrack. The concept is a high-energy, raucous church setting, but Victor's energy falls short and Bianca's technique does as well.

The fourth pair to perform is jazz dancer Mollee Gray and contemporary dancer Nathan Trasoras. Nakul dev Mahajan is the choreographer for their Bollywood-style dance, set to "Azeem O Shaan Shahensha" from the Jodhaa Akbar soundtrack. The judges are impressed with their versatility and strength in this routine, and also praise the choreographer for merging their styles.

The fifth couple of the episode is contemporary dancer Channing Cooke with tap dancer Phillip Attmore, performing a samba choreographed by Tony Meredith and Melanie La Patin, set to "Maracatu Funk" by the Samba Squad. The judges consider the routine a bit labored, and note that their lifts have not improved since last week. The dancers appear to struggle through the piece.

Next on stage is latin ballroom dancer Karen Hauer and hip hop dancer Kevin Hunte. They perform a hip hop routine to "Ice Cream Paint Job" by Dorrough, choreographed by Tabitha and Napoleon. In their previous routine, a cha cha, Karen was in her element. In this episode, they have Kevin's style of hip hop. Unfortunately for Kevin, the judges feel that Karen was actually more confident in this routine as well, and outshone Kevin.

The seventh pair to perform is contemporary dancer Kathryn McCormick with hip hop dancer Legacy Perez. They have a contemporary routine, choreographed by Stacy Tookey from SYTYCD Canada, set to "2 Steps Away" by Patti LaBelle. The dance has Legacy portraying "fear", and Kathryn trying to overcome her fears. The judges think the routine is exceptional, and commend both dancers for growing in the competition.

The eighth couple of this episode is jazz dancer Pauline Mata, paired with tap dancer Peter Sabsino. Their piece is a jazz routine to George Baker Selection's "Little Green Bag", choreographed by Wade Robson. Wade's vision portrays the dancers as people from Van Gogh's "Starry Night", who Van Gogh later removed from the painting. They have now come back to haunt Van Gogh for leaving them out of the masterpiece. The concept is interesting to the judges, but not completely accepted. The dancing, however, impresses them.

The final couple of the evening is contemporary dancer Ellenore Scott and latin ballroom dancer Ryan DiLello, who perform an Argentine Tango, choreographed by Miriam Larici and Leonardo Barrionuevo, set to "Violentango" by Astor Piazzola. The energy and commitment of the dancers is evident, especially when Ellenore's skirt is stuck on the heel of her shoe through a large part of the dance, and they never break character or stop. The judges are very impressed with this.

The Bottom Four Dancers

The judges choose their bottom four dancers: Noelle Marsh, Phillip Attmore, Victor Smalley, and Bianca Revels. The bottom four perform solos in their own styles for the judges, who will base their decisions on these solos and the rest of the dancers' work on the show to this point.

Going Home on the Top 18 Performance Show

The two dancers leaving the competition tonight are both tap dancers: Bianca Revels and Phillip Attmore. One more tapper, Peter Sabasino, stil remains in the competition.

Next week, the remaining 16 dancers return: Ashleigh, Channing, Ellenore, Jakob, Karen, Kathryn, Kevin, Legacy, Mollee, Nathan, Noelle, Pauline, Peter, Russell, Ryan and Victor.

The copyright of the article So You Think You Can Dance Season 6 Top 18 in Ballet/Jazz/Tap Dance is owned by Terry Finch. Permission to republish So You Think You Can Dance Season 6 Top 18 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.