SYTYCD Australia Season 3 Grand Finale

Fireworks, a strong dance routine choreographed by Jason Gilkison, Matt Lee and Bonnie Lithgoe and a reunited Top 20 hit our stage for the spectacular opening of the 2010 SYTYCD Grand Finale. The Top 4 entered the dance floor from the roof. This audience gave the routine and the dancers a standing ovation.



I thought this was great, not one of my favourite pieces by JG, but the opening sequences that were like a movie were really enjoyable.

The top 4 group performance:
We took a step into Alice in Wonderland’s world as this routine was inspired by the movie. This hip hop piece was choreographed by Jason Bird and Katie Cesaro.



FAME The Musical (Australia) perform:
There are 8 previous So You Think You Can Dance contestants cast in FAME The Musical and our very own SYTYCD choreographer Kelley Abbey is the Director & Choreographer. Janet Hines the Head of the Wardrobe Department for SYTYCD is also the creative mind behind FAME The Musical’s Costume Design. There was a mix of ballet, contemporary, tap and salsa on show. This hit musical is “a classic of cinema, television and musical theatre.” The ensemble’s previous SYTYCD contestants include Talia Fowler, Timomatic Omaji, Charlie Bartley, Amy Campbell, BJ Rorke, Stephen Tannos, Camilla Jakimowicz & Marko Panzic.



This was the highlight of the night for me. Talia was absolutely stunning - amazing lines, control and she was oh so sexy! Timomatic was a fantastic partner and the others were very strong. Kelley Abbey has done such a brilliant job. I think this piece will really inspire people to see the musical and hopefully make it a huge success!

The top 4 perform favourite duo's from this season:

Jessie & Robbie:
The competitions two youngest who are trained in contemporary took to the floor performing to Radiohead’s track ’Talkshow host.’ This memorable piece was choreographed by Jason B & Katie C. This is my favourite routine of the season and I was happy to see it performed again, although I was sad that they wouldn't be dancing with any of the other top 20 (I was expecting Jessie/Matt).



Ivy & Phillipe:
Ivy & Phillipe were up next. Who could forget the emotion filled lyrical contemporary piece from week 6. The couple performed this graceful routine based around a piano left the judges “speechless” in week 6 and was choreographed by Sher Manu. This was a beautiful piece that I think really highlighted Ivy's technique, although I've always felt that Phillipe really doesn't do much in this (I was expecting Ivy to dance the flower routine with Nick again though).



Phillipe & Jessie:
Phillipe & Jessie H teamed up with international choreographer Jason Winters in Top 6 week to learn a contemporary piece to a cover of ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’ by Tori Amos. Jason Winters explained that Phillipe & Jessie's characters “have been partners for their whole life, he gets sent off to war and he gets wounded and loses his sight.” Jessie H teaches Phillipe to dance again in a “whole new way.” I think they were both excellent in this piece but was very surprised to see this here in the finale (I was expecting his contemporary routine with Renee perhaps).



Robbie & Ivy:
During Top 14 week Robbie and Ivy performed a Paso Doble choreographed by Jason Gilkison. The passionate piece was danced to The Temper Trap’s ‘Sweet Disposition.’ I'm not really a fan of this piece, but I remember thinking it was better than I'd expected the first time I saw it (I would have preferred Robbie's piece with Issi from the showcase, especially since Regina Spektor was there to perform it could have been a special moment).



Regina Spektor performs:
Backed by drums, a violin and a cello, Regina’s music came to life as she performed her track ‘Eet’ off her latest album ‘Far.’ Spektor is currently touring Australia until the end of the month and will be performing in New Zealand before heading back home to New York.

The top 10 perform:
A flashback of a routine as the Top 10 hit the stage to perform a hip hop number choreographed by Juliette ‘Jet’ Verne. Performing to Justin Timberlake’s ‘If We Ever Meet Again,’ the dancers were statues painted gold, silver and bronze from head to toe. Matt was the only one dressed in modern attire. I thought this was really good, Matt is such a character! It was great to see everyone performing together again one last time.



Australian Dance Theatre perform:
The winner of SYTYCD will have the opportunity to work with ADT (Australian Dance Theatre) as one of their major prizes. Five dancers, three girls and four boys from the ADT performed a contemporary piece choreographed by Gary Stewart. With all of the dancers dressed in white, the movement was full of isolations, sharp movements, partner work and a lot of floor work. This was unusual and very artistic, I can understand how exciting it would be for Jessie or Robbie to work with them depending on who wins.

And 4th place goes to...
The first dancer to be announced safe in the competition was Ivy. Then there were 3. Next to join her was Jessie. The person safe from the fourth position was Robbie. Phillipe Witana was in 4th place. Phillipe & Robbie shared a hug on stage and exchanged words before Robbie left the stage and Phillipe took to the microphone. Phillipe spoke about the “absolutely incredible journey” SYTYCD has been and thanked his family, his friends, the Judges and “3 of the most incredible dancers in this country”, Ivy, Jessie H & Robbie. He said to Jason how he remembers him saying to come out and feel like you were signing your name on the stage. Phillip said “I didn’t then, but I do now.”

I thought that 4th place was where Phillipe would end up and he was very gracious in his speech.



Hairspray perform:
Another opportunity for this year’s winner of SYTYCD will have the opportunity to choose to take on a role in Hairspray The Musical. Jason Coleman is the choreographer for this musical. This performance featured the top 20 dancers from this year’s competition. When asked about the musical Jason coleman said “it’s so exciting to be working with dancers who really want it.”



The judges then spoke about what they'd be doing this year. Bonnie is going back to LA to direct Cinderella. Matt will be heading to Melbourne to star in Mary Poppins and Jason Coleman is directing Hairspray The Musical.

3rd place goes to...
Robbie’s name was first to be read out as being safe in the competition so it came down to Ivy & Jessie. The So You Think You Can Dance Journey had come to an end for Ivy Heeney, who finished in third position. Ivy had tears rolling down her cheek as the crowd gave her a standing ovation. During her journey through the SYTYCD competition she mentioned that she has “realised how powerful being a performer is.” Ivy in tears took to the microphone and thanked Pamela (Talent & travel manager), Julie (Executive Producer) and Andrew (Series Producer). She also the judges and her family and friends, not to mention the Top 20 and Robbie’s family for being her “Sydney support.” She especially thanked Robbie and said that he really changed her experience on the show and helped her to become a faster and better dancer.

I thought Ivy would come 4th but was hoping she might make the top 2 as I felt she and Jessie were the stronger dancers personally. When they had shown the Sarah Boulter piece in rehearsals they would've performed, I wished we were able to see it. I think Ivy will have a very bright career ahead, she'd be great on TV or on stage.



The top 2 perform:
The top 2 dancers took to the stage performing a contemporary piece choreographed by Debbie Ellis. The routine was full of floor work, high kicks and partner work. They ended up lying on the front of the stage reaching out towards the audience. The judges and the audience rose out of their seats as a standing ovation was given once again.

A clip of Jessie’s journey through SYTYCD 2010 was shown and a few moving quotes from her were remembered “if you put in time, I think your talent will come out eventually.” Jessie H thanked everyone for supporting the show and thanked her parents who were in tears of happiness.

Robbie video clip took us on a journey back to his first audition. Even though Robbie hadn’t yet been announced the winner of SYTYCD 2010, his clip had him saying “how far I have come today, I already feel that I’ve won.” He thanked Australia, the judges for being his biggest mentors, the producers and “last but not least” his family. The people who couldn’t get tickets to come to the show would round up a bunch of people and go to Robbie’s local RSL club to cheer him on.

Jessie & Robbie went to high school together and have been best friends for so long. They have spent hours in make-up together and in wardrobe and have performed 33 routines EACH!

Judges final words:
Jason spoke first and congratulated both of the “extraordinary dancers” and said that they have “danced with no fear.” Bonnie thinks both dancers are “incredible” and she loves them both. Matt said that Robbie & Jessie H are the “strongest technicians we’re ever had on our show “he was “so nervous” he said he was about to pee his pants!



Australia's favourite dancer for 2010 is...
Robbie Kmetoni! Confetti and glitter streamed from the edges of the stage over the top of this year’s winner and runner up. Tears of joy streamed quickly down Robbie’s shocked face. Runner up Jessie Hesketh & Robbie shared a hug with tears and his family came up on stage to join him, also crying. He has come such a long way from being a “nervous teenager who didn’t want to smile because of his braces” and the youngest dancer in our Top 10.



I was obviously very upset as I wanted Jessie to win, but I had expected Robbie to win all week and felt Jessie didn't really have a chance as he's so popular here. I think Jessie has a brilliant career ahead, hopefully a great contemporary company will offer her a place or perhaps she'll do something on stage.

Overall, like many I've felt disappointed with this season as so many of my favourites have gone home, not been dealt a fair deal with the 'magic hat' (not danced their style or had the chance to show variety) and others having a fairly easy run (Robbie for instance in my opinion as he had the best choreography) although it certainly had a lot to live up to due to my love of season 2. I congratulate Robbie though, I'm assuming he'll choose ADT and he'll be great.