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It's musical theater time on Step It Up & Dance and some of the dancers are more excited about it than others. Also, there's a surprise guests that more of surprise than usual. The hint in the title should be enough of a clue...
Spoiler
Jerry meets the dancers in the theater's lounge and congratulates them on making it this far. Pulling open a door, he reveals the key to they're next challenge. And it's Jason Alexander. With him is choreographer Lee Martino who'll be teaching the steps for this week's Audition. They're learning a number from Lee and Jason's Reprise! Company revival of Damn Yankees called "Shoeless Joe From Hannibal, MO." Jason tells us in an interview that they've updated the number from a hoedown to an "80's funk" type number.
In general, Cody and Oscar are the most excited about the challenge because they've had musical theater experience. Lee is teaching the steps mega-fast. Mochi is having more prop troubles since they're swinging around a bat. All the contestant are mega tired after the run-through and can't get up with a little under three minutes of rehearsal time to go. Which is understandable because they've just learned and perform 25 8-counts in 90 minutes. That's a lot of dancing. Jerry gets up and tells them that when they're tired, that's when they really have to show what they're made of and dance like if they're "not dancing tomorrow, they're going to die." That's what will separate the winning team from the losing team.
Miguel and Oscar both mess up in their group (with Mochi and Janelle) during The Audition. Oscar was in the back line so seeing Miguel's mistake might have thrown Oscar off. That doesn't make it acceptable, I'm just saying it's a possibility. Cody, Michael and Nick are in the second group. They all look sort of shaky at some point, but Michael the most.
Lee puts Michael, Oscar and Miguel in one group and everyone else in the other. The bad news for Michael and Oscar is that they're in the Elimination Group with Miguel, who has immunity. Oscar is pissed and talks it out with Jerry who does his best to assuage his fears.
Both groups get two hours for rehearsals. The Winning Group goes first and they're learning "Whatever Lola Wants," which they'll get to perform with a live band. Mochi's happy to dance this number because, after performing in The Lion King, it's nice to be a human for a change. They're paired up - Mochi with Cody and Janelle with Nick. Janelle's never done partner work and isn't quite comfortable with musical theater, which really shows when the come to the part with the lift. But luckily Nick's a solid partner. Jerry also gives her some tips after calling time.
The Elimination Group comes in now. They'll be doing the number "Two Lost Souls." Michael's having a little bit of trouble picking up the choreography because it's so technical. In Lee's interview, she states how Oscar and Michael have opposing strengths - Oscar's got the technique down while Michael's presence is more masculine. They end the rehearsal a little early because Michael isn't feeling well. Turns out his blood sugar's dropped significantly.
When he says that if his body keep reaction like this, he'll have to go home, it's starts this dust up with Miguel and Janelle. It's part Michael being defensive, part Miguel and Janelle saying he should leave somewhat unnecessarily.
At The Callback, Lee is the guest judge with Jason there, just to watch essentially.
As usual, the Winning Group is up first but each pair goes on separately. Janelle and Nick were really good. I really liked Nick's characterization and they didn't have any trouble with the lift (though Janelle's body language wasn't as strong). Janelle was sometimes playing to the audience a bit too much, but she turned in a solid performance. Cody and Mochi follow them. They were great too - thought Mochi was a bit stronger than Cody to me. Perhaps it's because she played the part so big despite being so small. Jason congratulates the ladies for staying in their outfits and all of them for owning the material after learning it in such a short time. Of course Cody and Mochi got glowing remarks while Janelle and Nick got good but not great comments (Nick was told he needs to let go more so he won't be as "vanilla"). I was pulling for Mochi but, as everyone thought, Cody wins the challenge and gets immunity. I like him but at the same time he gets on my nerves. Odd.
It's the Elimination Team's turn and it's kind of a mess. Both Oscar and Michael mess up at points, though Michael seems out of sync most of the way. The judges look very confused and Lee mentions how it was so much better during rehearsal. Vincent mentions that they're thinking of letting them do it it again but, when Oscar says he felt he was giving his all, Vincent second guesses that. Then Michael says he didn't feel like he had a chance to connect with Oscar and Miguel, that he was shunned which starts them all bickering (though mainly Miguel and Michael). Before it gets too far, Elizabeth stops them and says that they (the judges) are going to take a break and give them (the dancers) and chance to talk and decide if they want to perform again.
They're still bickering off-stage, even after Jerry tells them to suck it up. During all this, Elizabeth and Lee agree that they're letting the emotions of the situation get to them. So, when the boys finally pull their heads out and take the stage for their do-over, Jason walks up and summons them to talk. In a hushed tone, he tells them that they need to let all that stuff go and perform with joy.
This time was so much better than the first. All the boys hugged afterwards. Jason states that he appreciated seeing them come together. Poor Oscar looked absolutely drained. All three guys got less than stellar comments - there were some good and bad points, but it seemed like there were a lot more bad points.
The decision comes down to, as Lee mentioned before, technique vs. masculinity. If they meshed both guys together, the resultant dancer would be nicely balanced. But, they're not meshed together. Oscar musicality did not serve him well, nor did Michael's lack of training. Unfortunately for Oscar, his musicality issues submarined him and he's being sent home much to his (and many of the other contestants') surprise.
I rather liked Oscar and I'll miss him. Were you surprised he got sent home? Should Michael havve been sent booted instead? Do you think that Nick is somewhat "vanilla?" Should Mochi have won immunity over Cody?
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Zap2it Twitter Talk 
i am surprised that Oscar went home...though he really wasn't doing that well, I thought he was still better than Michael. But I guess if Mike is gone, where would you find the drama?? Starting the feud between Nick and Cody? Sure Nick has said something about Cody, but both of them have been very professional. Think of it this way, then Miguel vs. Mike is really the only selling point now.
I think it's an obvious choice for Mochi's win. But I think as Cody said in the show, it's the guy's job to make the girl look good and guys rarely get recognized as all eyes are on the ladies. The better she looks, the better he has done his job. So in this sense, if everyone thinks Mochi deserves the win, partly because it's her natural talent, but wouldn't it partly because it was Cody? It's natural for everyone to give applause to the leading star, but a team can't survive with just one star, it has to have a supporting cast who rarely get recognized. just look at sport games. I think the judges recognized the supporting role Cody is doing and think it's time to give the mostly overlooked supporting guys in duet a nod.
Tamara...fire your editor!! Man, did anyone proof your work before you posted it? There are spelling, tense and grammatical errors throughout. Thou shalt not critique a dancer's technique when one's own technique is far from perfect!
As far as the show goes, I'm glad Oscar went home. Whatever technical skills he does have are dragged down by an aloof demeanor and a complete lack of p***ion and stage presence. If what we saw was him giving "500 percent" then I'd hate to see what his 100 percent looks like. Yikes!
That obnoxious twit Miguel better thank his lucky stars he had immunity. He was a MESS everytime he pranced across that stage. I find it hilarious that he knocks Michael when instead he should really take a long, hard look at himself. His conduct backstage (with an ***ist from clunky Janelle) would have gotten him into serious trouble if he was a member of any professional dance company. Hostile work environment, anyone?
Miguel's problem with Michael is obvious: while they are both somewhat strong in the hip/hop and club/urban dance genres, Miguel is a wholly unattractive, effeminate guy who channels his jealous nature into angry, bratty outburts. He'd sell his soul for Michael's looks, masculinity and musicality in a heartbeat.
I have always found that those truly confident in themselves do not need to tear down others. Miguel, if you are such a red hot tamale, why the need to berate Michael incessently? If Michael is such a horrible dancer, why is he still in the running? Why was he standing right next to you, in the top two, in last week's STOMP! episode? Dancers like Miguel will never amount to anything in the real world. He is a freak show novelty act who will remain forever a side show attraction. Who the heck would want to be in the same company with such a jerk?
Cody won hands down and was the smart pick for immunity. He was the ideal partner, especially in a number where the male played second fiddle. I actually think Nick did some of his best work and was dragged down by the oafish Janelle. Vanilla? I don't think so. Sometime those two regular judges just say stuff to hear themselves talk. Blah, blah, blah.
I've often wondered if these get proofed before they get posted. Most of them are riddled with errors. Very unprofessional. (Sentence fragment)