The current season of So You Think You Can Dance continues to befuddle, even as it entertains.
By Owen Panettieri (playwright, lyricist)
I remain very torn about this season of So You Think You Can Dance. I have been vocal in the past about my displeasure with the Next Generation format. I'm not generally interested in watching kids dance with each other, it's sometimes weird to watch kids dance with adult all-stars and the eliminations this season can be PAINFUL because they're KIDS and each week someone's dreams are being CRUSHED - LIVE ON AIR! I really just want my regular show back, y'all. But even given all that, I haven't stopped watching. And as we're almost halfway to the end of the live shows, here are some of my updated thoughts.
The thing is, I actually don't think it's a bad season of the show. The pleasant surprise for me has been the successful mentoring relationships between the All-Stars and the child dancers they selected as partners. Kathryn and Tate, Paul and Ruby, Sasha and Jordan, Comfort and Tahani, Fikshun and Kida. I see these kids learning from their partners in a substantial way week to week. I'm happy for them to have this opportunity. And the kids really CAN dance. A few are quite impressive in their own styles, and not just in a good-for-kids kind of way. Contemporary dancer Tate, Ballroom dancer Ruby, Tapper Emma and Hip Hopper Kida all show impressive range.
The rest of the technical and artistic aspects of the show are also firing on all cylinders. Not being able to coast on simple love stories or relationship issues, the choreographers have dug deeper to tell different stories that make sense for young dancers. There was usually one or two dances an episode in regular SYTYCD that I would consider conceptual duds regardless of their execution. I have not felt that in the Next Generation season. I've also felt the costumes, make up, lighting and camera work have all been on par with the best of what SYTYCD has offered in previous seasons. I've season other seasons that looked like everyone involved had less energy. I like the contestants and I root for them to do well. Several times I have been incredibly impressed by what the young dancers achieved.
So then what's the problem? The stakes are just not very high for me. I don't care who wins because I don't really get what winning means this season. These kids are not ready to go out and be professional dancers just yet. What they can do now in their own styles is fantastic, but they need years of more training throughout their adolescence to become great. There's an alluring top prize of $250,000. for sure. Everybody loves money! But in a normal season, I'd be excited to see what all of the top SYTYCD contestants do next. Will they join a dance company? Will they go to Broadway? Venture into TV and Film? Return to the show as all-stars or choreographers? So many possibilities are open. But at the end of this season, I just want these kids to all go back to school.
So overall, I don't think the seasons the huge disaster I thought it would be. Whichever kid wins, it will be adorable and they'll be so happy and I'll smile and be happy for them. But then can I have my old show back next year, please? I would like that very much.
OWEN PANETTIERI is the author of the awarding-winning plays Vestments of the Gods and The Timing of a Day. Member of Playwrights Gallery in NYC. Summer's Here and the time is right for dancing in the streets!! www.owenpanettieri.com
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