GUEST BLOG!  Review of the Top 8 on SYTYCDC – by Ellen Morris-Seguin

Today's Guest Blogger is from Suzart Productions!

Last week we started a NEW feature on the Blog which will highlight “Guest Bloggers” giving their best rants and raves about the dance world as they see it.  If you’d like to contribute as a Guest Blogger, send us a comment and let us know!  You don’t have to be a pro – just tell how you feel from the heart – and why.

Our Guest Blogger this week is Ellen Morris-Seguin.  This lady is an avid fan of dance shows of all kinds, works in local musical theater and loves everything about the dance world.  This week she gives her rants and raves on the So You Think You Can Dance Canada’s Top 8 performance show.  Here are her thoughts….as always, completely unedited by us, in her very own words:

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First I would like to start with a clarification, I am not a dancer. So why am I qualified to be a guest blogger? Perhaps it is my life long obsession with all things musical theatre related. I worship Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Barbra Streisand, Donald O’Connor, well I could go on forever. The last few years I have been lucky enough to work with Suzart, a musical theatre company in Ottawa, and the Ottawa Catholic School Board on many musicals. I have done everything from make-up design, set design and costumes, to name a few, and am currently directing Willy Wonka.

I love the emotion, the power and the beauty of dance. Shows like SYTYCD and DWTS bring dance to everyone and that is an amazing thing. Do you think we could get Tom Bergeron to take over for Leah??

Enough about me, let’s talk about last nights show.  First the duets,WOW, once again the contemporary numbers stole the night.

Denys and Danielle: As a dancer I have always been impressed with Denys, he has been a solid partner throughout the competition but it was Danielle that stole this performance for me. She literally threw herself into this routine…loved it!

Jannick and MacKenzie: Okay I admit neither of these two are my favourites but I thought they both did very well in their hip-hop number.

Sabastien and Nathalie: Two words to describe their dance: train wreck. I thought the judges were being very kind, it was really bad, all of it. They did mention that Sabastien was injured, fair enough, but even taking that into account, there was no chemistry between them. It just did not work.

Jeff and Amanda: Although Denys and Danielle got a standing ovation from the judges, it was Amanda and Jeff that really stole the night for me. Everything about this performance was outstanding. When Sergio commented about how he would hire Jeff in a heartbeat, if Jeff were auditioning for him, I was thinking the same thing. When I audition people what I look for is a certain presence. Jeff exudes that presence, there is a joy in his dance that shines through. As for Amanda, she is truly a beautiful dancer, as a team they were incredible together.

The group number: was fun, Sean Cheesman for me is hit or miss, sometimes I love his choreography and sometimes I don’t. The concept for this group number was quite enjoyable and I always enjoy watching all the dancers perform together.

Solos: The weakest solo in my opinion was Jannick’s, the strongest Amanda’s with Denys a close second. Frankly I put very little weight on the solo performances, they are short and really do not show enough to sway me either way.

My prediction for bottom four: Jannick, Nathalie, Mackenzie and Sabastien.

I think Nathalie and Sabastien will be going home tonight.

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Thanks , Ellen!  Great Blog!

Do you have any questions or comments for Ellen?  Agree?  Disagree?  Why or why not?  Tell us!  And remember, everyone’s entitled to their own opinions, so please respect those that differ from yours….and be kind.  🙂 

ps – if you would like to be a “Guest Blogger” – let us know!  Everyone’s opinion is valued!!

xoxoxo…TLC