“So You Think You Can Dance” Season 11’s top four. Ricky Ubeda and Valerie Rockey perform. Credit: Adam Rose/FOX
Season 11’s top four dancers gave their final performances before America’s Favorite Dancers are announced next week. Our top four took the stage and the audience was on their feet more than ever. They opened up the show with a Travis Wall contemporary performance to a remix of “Wind Beneath My Wings” by Ryan Dan. Jesse Tyler Ferguson joined Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe on the judging panel for the first time this season.
Valerie and Ricky took the stage first performing an Afro-Jazz routine to “Voices of Savannah” by Chus L. Esteban. Ricky and Valerie have always been strong performers and this routine was a testament to their control and expertise as dancers. However, Ricky seemed to be a lot more comfortable with the movements. Nigel was left breathless, while Mary was left over-enthusiastic about the athleticism in their performance.
Jessica and Zack did a Broadway number to Ella Fitzgerald’s “Hernando’s Hideaway” with a staircase prop. The routine was sharp and sexy. These two are not only great dancers, but great actors as well. Mary said she loved how Jessica slinked down the stairs and how Zack leaps and pirouettes. Jesse said that either of them could be on Broadway tomorrow.
Our two tappers Valerie and Zack paired up for a contemporary routine to “Pearls” by Sade. Valerie danced as a blind girl but Zack was always there to catch her. Both dancers were stunning and the routine was touching. Jesse said he loved their connection on stage.
Up next were Jessica and Ricky performing a jazz routine to Mary J. Blige’s “F For You.” It was sharp and concise but to be honest, Ricky stole the stage. Mary called it a fun and funky performance.
Jessica and Valerie performed a Bollywood number to “Gharga” by Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. The routine was quirky yet traditional. Both girls looked amazing but Jessica seemed a bit more pro in this style. Mary said they danced like Bollywood divas.
Zack and Ricky battled it out in a hip-hop performance to “The Antidote” by District 78. It was by far one of the best performances of the season. The audience was on their feet and the judges gave a standing ovation. Nigel said it best when he pointed out that these two are the least likely swagtasic duo to dance hip-hop ever on the show, yet they killed it. Jesse said he was losing his mind and Mary put them on the hot tamale train so that pretty much sums it up.
Valerie also received a standing ovation of the night for her smooth tap routine with All-star Aaron to “Love Me or Leave Me” by Sam Davis Jr. Her routine was nothing short of flawless. The judged were in love with Valerie overall but even more so as a tapper.
Ricky was paired with All-star Katherine for a contemporary performance to Birdy’s “Not About Angels.” Ricky’s character needed saving and Katherine played an angel who’s trying to pull him up. Katherine and Ricky make a great team and the routine was absolutely brilliant. Mary said that with this routine Ricky proved why he belongs here. Jesse pointed out that Ricky got his second standing ovation of the night.
Zack partnered up with All-star Aaron for a tap routine to Billy Joel’s “Piano Man.” In this routine they play two guys who bond in a bar but they are really focus on the sounds coming from their feet. Mary said that Zack is great at everything he does.
Finally Jessica and All-star Robert ended the show on a very touching note as they performed a contemporary piece about wanting to know if you’ll be missed when a relationship ends. It was a passionate routine and there was definitely some chemistry between Jessica and Robert. Jesse called it the best performance of the night.
