Daily Dance: J.T. and Robert "So You Think You Can Dance"

Gorgeous, thoughtful, evocative.

Choreography by the brilliant Travis Wall.

Casting For Broadway CATS Revival To Include SYTYCD Winner Ricky Ubeda

Ricky Ubeda to play "Mr. Mistoffelees" in Broadway revival of Cats

Ricky Ubeda, season 11 winner of So You Think You Can Dance, will be featured in the upcoming Broadway revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Cats as "the magical Mr. Mistoffelees."

Previews will begin July 14 prior to an official opening July 31 at the Neil Simon Theatre (250 W. 52nd Street).

From Playbill:

The company will include Giuseppe Bausilio as Carbucketty, Quentin Earl Darrington as Old Deuteronomy, Jeremy Davis as Skimbleshanks, Kim Faure as Demeter, Sara Jean Ford as Jellylorum, Lili Froehlich as Electra, Daniel Gaymon as Macavity, Shonica Gooden as Rumpleteazer, Christopher Gurr as Gus/Bustopher Jones, Tyler Hanes as Rum Tum Tugger, Andy Jones as Munkustrap, Kolton Krouse as Tumblebrutus, Eloise Kropp as Jennyanydots / Gumbie, Jess LeProtto as Mungojerrie, Georgina Pazcoguin as Victoria, Emily Pynenburg as Cassandra, Arianna Rosario as Sillabub, Ahmad Simmons as Alonzo, Christine Cornish Smith Bombalurina, Corey Snide as Coricopat, Emily Tate as Tantomile, Ricky Ubeda as Mistoffelees, and Sharrod Williams as Pouncival,as well as Richard Todd Adams, Aaron Albano, Callan Bergmann, Claire Camp, Francesca Granell, Jessica Hendy, Harris Milgrim, Madison Mitchell, Nathan Patrick Morgan and Megan Ort.

Casting for the role of "Grizabella" will be announced at some point in the near future. Elaine Paige won the Olivier Award for her powerful turn as the "Glamour Cat" in the original London company, and Betty Buckley won the Tony Award for her powerful portrayal on Broadway.

I have a personal interest in the production, and in Ubeda's casting, as I spent two years of my early career playing "Mistoffelees" on the national tour of Cats back in the 1980s when the show first hit the U.S.

Congrats to Ricky and all the new kitties!

Me as "Mr. Mistoffelees" in Cats

Dance solo "Unstoppable" by Michael Dameski - So You Think You Can Dance Australia

Michael Dameski of SYTYCD Australia

Australia's TV Tonight writes:

Judge Paula Abdul told TV Tonight, it was the most amazing routine she had seen on any version of the show.

“Professionally, I’ve never witnessed anything as special as this. You can’t even articulate it. I can’t begin to tell you, it was that awesome,” she said.

“It prompted an emotional response. I jumped up. The rest of the judges jumped up and the entire studio audience was on their feet, screaming and teary-eyed.”

The applause went on for so long the show had to drastically edit it down and re-introduce the remaining male dancers.

Dance: Ricky Ubeda "Vitality"

Ricky Ubeda

Seventeen years old.  This is someone born to dance.

Besides the obvious flexibility and extension, note his technique, control, feel for dynamics, and connection to what he's expressing - all right there.  Artistry.

He should have a terrific career.

From the clip description:

Choreography by Victor Smalley & Angel Armas
Age 17
Stars Dance Studio
League of Champions 2013
TITLE Winning Solo

So You Think You Can Dance (Brazil) - "The Dying Swan"

Fascinating and fabulous.

Dancer John Lennon da Silva impresses the judges with new and amazing choreography to The Dying Swan

I had the exact same reaction as the bald judge.