Tour 2009

The Top 10 dancers plus Phillip Chbeeb and Caitlin Kinney have been touring across the country for the past couple months. With two weeks left on the tour, the dancers traveled to Los Angeles to perform at the Nokia Theatre. It was like a family reunion to see the dancers that graced our television sets all summer long back on stage and performing together.

Throughout the night, the dancers each performed a solo, recreated some of the most memorable partner dances of the season, and participated in skits. The night started with a lot of energy – a new group number, dancer introductions, the fastest disco in SYTYCD history by Janette Manrara and Brandon Bryant, “Mad” hip hop from Jeanine Mason and Phillip, the infamous “butt” dance with Randi Evans and Evan Kasprzak, a solo from Janette, and Broadway from Jason Glover and Kayla Radomski. Next came the first classical pas de deux on SYTYCD recreated by Melissa Sandvig and Ade Obayomi. After Kupono Aweau showed off his quirky style in his solo, we saw a dance from the first episode of the season – Bollywood with Caitlin and Jason. Evan channeled old Broadway dancing in his solo, and then three “Supergirls” took the stage: Jeanine, Kayla, and Melissa. Edgy vampires in the form of Kayla and Kupono performed together, and then Caitlin danced a solo. Ade’s afro pick hypnotized businesswoman Janette into a hip hop trance, Kayla reprised her “Blackbird” solo from auditions, and Evan and Melissa had a Broadway wedding. Jason danced a solo and then Jeanine and Brandon battled it out to “Battlefield.”

Since the show was in L.A., the Top 16 dancers on Season 6 were in town and in the audience. They were invited up on stage and the audience cheered them on. It was amazing to think that in just a few months, ten of these dancers would be treating us to their best dances from the fall season. After the Season 6 dancers left the stage, the Top 12 performed the “Calle Ocho” group dance complete with table dancing and splashing water. It was such a hot number, everyone needed an intermission break after that piece.

Back from intermission, the dancers performed a Broadway group routine with mirrors, Janette and Brandon robbed a bank, and zombie Jason attacked Kayla with his hip hop moves of horror. Randi performed a solo, Kayla and Brandon performed their Broadway number from the finale episode, and Phillip’s solo had the majority of the audience leap to their feet for a standing ovation. Then, the Top 3 boys danced their oompa loompa jazz routine. Next, Melissa performed a ballet solo and her 200 friends and family members in her hometown audience held up signs for her.

Throughout the night, there was a hilarious skit involving Jeanine, Phillip, and Russian Folk dance. It all came to fruition when the Top 12 danced a Russian Folk group number that proved that Russian Folk is a serious style of dance.

Brandon’s powerful solo called for another standing ovation from his many fans. The night took an emotional turn with “Addiction” performed brilliantly and hauntingly by Kayla and Kupono and “The Necklace” danced with so much chemistry by Jeanine and Jason. Season 5 partners Brandon and Janette performed the Cha Cha and then America’s Favorite Dancer performed her amazing solo from the Season 5 finale. The room got quiet and emotional for Ade and Melissa’s moving tribute to breast cancer. During Jeanine and Brandon’s Matrix paso doble, Jeanine’s dress got caught on her heel and her skirt slipped down below her behind. Despite flashing the audience, Jeanine recovered and moved on like the pro that she is.

The night ended with a final Broadway group number, and thousands of fans left with smiles on their face. If you haven’t seen the Season 5 Top 10 on tour yet, you have until November 21, 2009 to check it out. View the remaining shows and buy tickets here.