The So You Think You Can Dance Season Five tour concluded last month at Everett, Washington's Comcast Arena. On November 21st, the capacity crowd was clearly entertained throughout as the top ten dancers performed popular routines as seen on the television program. However, it wasn't all quite so straightforward. For their final live performance of a 40-city tour, the dancers took plenty of liberties with the choreography, throwing in many spontaneous twists.
Even for non-regular viewers of the popular Fox program the live show is an exciting, thoroughly satisfying production. With huge video screens, a first-rate sound system, and an impressive array of lighting effects, the So You Think You Can Dance live show is spectacular.
I had attended the Season Four live show without ever having seen a single episode on television. On stage the dancers' personalities are incorporated in such a way that you begin to get to know the cast, even if it's the first time you've seen them.
The dancers' energy and enthusiasm are infectious. Season Five boasted the youngest winner the show has seen, 18-year-old Jeanine Mason. Her versatility was on full display as she performed dance styles ranging from contemporary to Broadway. Mason and special guest Phillip Chbeeb were quite charming as they made several attempts to perform a traditional Russian folk dance, only to have their efforts thwarted.
Prior to the show I had the opportunity to speak with a few of the dancers. They all said they were excited to go home and see their families, but sad to be leaving their friends. All the dancers became close during their time on the road and said their fellow dancers were like a second family. When I asked them aobut their future plans, runner-up Brandon Bryant, indicated he would like go into acting as well as continue dancing. The others all agreed they would like to do the same.
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