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We're getting near the very end of the second season of Fox' smash hit reality competition So You Think You Can Dance. So You Think You Can Dance has proved to be a grueling 12-week competition for the dancers. The show is produced by 19 Entertainment and Dick Clark Productions, and was created by Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe, who also serves as a judge the show. The final four who are dancing into the finals to become America's number one dancer are: Benji Schimmer, Donyelle Jones, Travis Wall and Heidi Groskreutz. The August 8th, 2006 show brought us the final competitive performances from all four, both as solo artists and in pairs.
Heidi and Travis started off the finals with a pair's disco performance. They danced to the disco theme song "Shake Your Groove Thing" by Peaches and Herb. Travis wore a John Travolta-esque white suit, and they did a full-on version of the 70's Hustle. There were lots of lifts in the program that were executed with ease. The judges didn't exactly find it memorable, but were mostly pleased by it. Nigel said that Heidi is the best girl partner in the entire competition. Judge Mary loved the dance. Brian and Nigel brought up Heidi's facial expressions, saying that they worked for this dance in particular. Her unusual and mostly jarring facial expressions have been noticed by many throughout the season.
Benji and Donyelle's turn found them attempting to execute the very difficult Viennese Waltz. Donyelle was wearing something that looked like a JC Penney prom dress. As a true Viennese Waltz, it missed the mark; Nigel Lythgoe summed the dance up in one word: hideous.
In an interesting turn of events, Travis and Benji danced together under then name of TRANJI in a program choreographed by Shane Sparks. The judges were very pleased by the routine, which featured both Travis and Benji dressed as 50's New York newsboys.
The rest of the solos were not memorable at all, evidenced by the fact that I have no memory of them. The girls did a pairs number from the Broadway musical Sweet Charity.
Travis and Donyelle did a bluesy routine, dancing to “Georgia on My Mind” by Ray Charles. The judges said it was “beautiful and captivating” and Mary said the routine made her feel like “having a mint julep and a Georgia peach.” Brian said that it was pure art, and thanked Mia, who was the choreographer. Heidi and Benji came next with a aggressive and spirited Salsa, and Nigel said that Benji is the best male partner on the show who excels in executing lifts. Mary and Brian were equally as thrilled with the footwork and lifts. Together, Heidi and Benji were sensational.
The final performance of the night was a group performance choreographed by the famous Wade Robeson. The dancers were supposed to be famous couture models and posed and danced to Justin Timberlake's new single “Sexy Back”.