DANCE DELIGHTS

Top Aussie choreographer William A Forstythe admits he has been brought to tears more than once during the So You Think You Can Dance rehearsals.

The Top 10 Dancers from the television show, including winner, Jack Chambers, from Brisbane, are nearing the end of their first week of rehearsals in Sydney for the stage show, which will tour the country next month.

A self-described 'hard-nose', Forsythe said he had been blown away by how professional and competent the contestants already were.

"So far there has been no screaming from me, nothing," he joked.

He said he had teared up twice during performances by Rhys Bobridge and fellow dancers.

"My aim is to give the audience two things - the best numbers from the show, and also routines they have never seen before," Forsythe said.

The So You Think You Can Dance Australia Live Tour kicks off in Brisbane on July 5 and hits the Newcastle Entertainment Centre on Tuesday, July 15.

Forsythe is the choreographer and director. His credits include touring shows for Kylie Minogue and Cliff Richard, videos for the Rogue Traders, Dannii Minogue and Ricki-Lee as well as the closing ceremony for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

Of Kylie he says, "She's extremely professional and a hard worker. She's a little rocket when she works."

In an attempt to remain injury-free, the top 10 dancers from So You Think You Can Dance are keeping warm and stretching in between practising routines, working six days a week. "They rehearse seven if I'm not happy," Forsythe said.


The Word - Sydney Morning Herald
June 2008