December 30, 2007
'Dancing With the Stars' contestants and pros excite fans in L.A.
Orange County Cheetah Girl Sabrina Bryan was kicked off "Dancing With The Stars" this past season in the show's most shocking elimination ever, but that certainly hasn't stopped her from ruling the dance floor. That much was evident Saturday night during the show's live tour stop at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
With the energy and enthusiasm of someone having the time of her life, Bryan twirled, kicked up her heels and threw her body around with impressive ease and grace in fast-paced routines with partner/boyfriend Mark Ballas and dance pro Derek Hough.
Hough was another star that night. The 22-year-old still looks like a kid, but the kid sure can ooze charisma all over the dance floor, with the kinds of moves that make women all over the world swoon. Add that to his past accomplishments in the ballroom arena and it's not hard to see how he made it from the unknown backup tour dancer to the TV show. If he's partnered with the right celebrity in the future, he could bring home the disco ball trophy. Watch out, Julianne.
One star knew better than to lace up his dance shoes again. Wayne Newton, whose participation in the tour was uncertain because of health problems, stuck to what he does best - a three-song stage performance. However, some viewers were overheard saying that his renditions of "Johnny B. Goode," "Moon River" and "Danke Schoen" were better after a cocktail or two and suggesting it might be time to consider retirement. And Mr. Las Vegas must be used to adoring female fans, but as he walks around the stage to kiss the cheeks of front-row female audience members of all ages, one must wonder whether the youngest ones even really know who he is.
At one point, Newton commented on the dancers making the routines seem easy when he knows from experience that they're not.
"They're not as hard as YOU make them look," quipped host/dancer Drew Lachey, who also hit the dance floor to reunite with Cheryl Burke.
You gotta give it to the guy for having the guts to tease an American icon.
With no pressure of upcoming elimination, the dancers let loose throughout the spectacle, going through hundreds of costumes and multiple props. Feathers flew and glitter sparkled all over from the spy sequence to the Brazilian carnival, twist and cabaret-type group numbers.
Watching "Dancing With The Stars" on TV, one may wonder whether the pro dancers really look that good in real life. They do, and none more than Karina Smirnoff, who's as stunning in a glamorous gown as in a gaudy, gold sequin belt over tiny black shorts she wore for a boxing-inspired number. Not to mention that she defies gravity when her partners lift and twirl her off the floor in gymnastics-like routines. Even an hour into the show, she managed to land with perfect balance every time. Yes, that is what pro dancers do, but for novices and nondancing fans, it makes the show.
For those going to the show to see 90 minutes of celebrities, the tour could be a slight disappointment. Sure, the stars are there, but the routines alternate between celebrity-driven and those with unknown professional dancers.
Not that there's anything wrong with that. This is a well-choreographed, colorful celebration of all that is ballroom. The professional dancers are as good as you'd expect them to be but for those who didn't know their samba from their salsa before "DWTS" hit the airwaves, the fun part is to see how good the celebrities have become. It would have been entertaining to see Marie Osmond, whose famous fainting episode made it into the hosts' banter. Also missing Saturday was the most recent winner, race car driver Helio Castroneves.
It was the only Southern California stop for the tour, which continues Dec. 30 in Las Vegas.
Contact the writer: mliszewska@ocregister.com or 714-796-2464
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