Incredible Feet

For Brian Friedman, a choreographer and judge for So You Think You Can Dance — the hit Fox reality show whose live version arrives tonight — one of the best things about the program is the chance to see dancers in the spotlight instead of just being background for other...

By Michael Roberts

September 14, 2006

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For Brian Friedman, a choreographer and judge for So You Think You Can Dance — the hit Fox reality show whose live version arrives tonight — one of the best things about the program is the chance to see dancers in the spotlight instead of just being background for other entertainers. "There are no distractions," he says. "And to think of an artist singing as a distraction is a dancer's mentality. It's like, 'Move that artist over to the side and let me watch the dancers!'"

The top ten Dance contestants, including winner Benji Schwimmer and finalists Heidi Groskreutz, Donyelle Jones and Travis Wall, will participate in the stage presentation, and Friedman promises a mix of new and familiar material. The results will be athletic in the extreme. In his view, "This is not an easy sport. And it is a sport; it's not just an art. Dancers brutalize their bodies just as much as football players."

So You Think You Can Dance kicks off in Denver at 8 p.m. in the Lecture Hall at the Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th Street. Tickets, $28.50 to $48.50, can be purchased at 303-830-8497 or www.ticketmaster.com.
Tue., Sept. 19, 8 p.m.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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