The Table Has It
This is a silly post I got the idea for last week (Sasha and Twitch made me think of it). It occurred to me that while routines with props can go either way, there are A LOT of routines choreographed around a table that seem to be highly memorable. So, I thought it’d be fun to look at some of those.
First, probably the most memorable table routine, the one that people generally think of when you say “the table routine” is from Season 3. Sabra and this week’s All-Star Neil dancing a Mandy Moore jazz routine.
Next memorable I’d say is the Travis Wall contemporary routine danced by Ellenore and Legacy in Season 6, the “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” routine.
Then, there’s the super-hot crossbreed of samba and hip hop that Dmitry and Nappytabs choreographed for Season 5’s Top 16, which featured several tables (and water!).
I also couldn’t help thinking of this Tyce Diorio-choreographed jazz routine with Season 7’s Kent and All-Star Courtney featuring one of my favorite Amy Winehouse tunes, “Amy, Amy, Amy” .
Season 7 also had a phenomenally memorable Top 6 group routine which featured a table. Choreographed by Mia Michaels, it should’ve shown off eventual winner (and this week’s All-Star) LoFro, who was injured, but instead All-Star Allison (then and last week) took her place.
Here’s a video of LoFro performing it on tour:
Which brings us to the inspiration for this post, last week’s “Misty Blue” , choreographed by Christopher Scott and danced so fabulously by Season 8’s Sasha and All-Star (of all time) Twitch.
All of this “evidence” that tables make for great routines *almost* makes me wish that Caitlynn and Mitchell’s Stacey Tookey choreography to “Turning Tables” had had a table in it instead of two armchairs and lamps. Except, it’s just so memorable on its own. I’ll include it anyway.
Can y’all think of any other great table routines I’ve forgotten? Can you think of a bad table routine ever in SYTYCD history? And you’re not limited to the American version of the show. Go for it!
UPDATE:
Thanks for commenter Anne who reminded me about Wade Robson’s Season 6 Top 20 routine, “Comanche.” I miss Wade so much. This is such a good one, check it out:
hmm very true. can’t think of any other table routines, but mia michael’s bench routine with travis and heidi sprang to mind here. although benches aren’t really the same as tables.
Off the top of my head with group dances –
Season 5 – Calle Ocho Group dance – top 16, dancing on the tables
Season 6 – opening Jazz routine with the color coded groups with their tables.
Season 6 – Top 12 Alice in Wonderland inspired Pop Jazz (with them hiding and popping out at times)
Though, Mia in Wonderland routine from last season still is my absolute favorite.
@maddy: You mean, this one? 🙂
@Anne: Comanche! Thanks for reminding me, look above in the post!
And speaking of tea party group routines:
If it’s not limited to US version, then I can immediately think of these ones (I hope the video works, it’s the first time I do this):
Janick and Shavar contemporary in SYTYCD Canada season 3 :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8U2hae3VBQg&w=425&h=349
Janick and Jeff jazz-fusion in SYTYCD Canada season 3 :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I8urjqhD9g&w=425&h=349
Kirsty and Lee hip-hop from SYTYCD UK season 2 :
Oh, and I forgot another one:
Kaitlyn and Izaak jazz in SYTYCD Canada season 1 :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iJriKSp9Fw
And yet, I haven’t include all the routines with desks that I can think of.
Those are really good ones, Stephanie! Especially the ones with Janick. The last link is for one of the earlier videos, so here’s the video I think you meant (Breaking Dishes):
There’s two that jump into my ming right off the bat from SYTYCD Canada (don’t remember what seasons, or who, though). The ‘Breaking Dishes’ one was AWESOME, and the contemporary piece about the couple who was trying to spice up their relationship (hmm…sounds a bit like the US one, but we did it first, AND better!). I think Stacey Tookey choreographed it for last season, but I’m not 100% sure.
Jennifer, I think the second one you are referring to is the one is posted above, with Janick and Shavar, choreographed by Mandy Moore in season 3. I posted the link in one of my other comment.