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CURE COMMUNITY
"So You Think You Can Dance" shows breast cancer struggle through art
BY ELIZABETH WHITTINGTON | JULY 24, 2009
After hearing the buzz about Wednesday's show of "So You Think You Can Dance," a weekly dance competition on Fox, I had to see Melissa and Ade's contemporary dance for myself. And you're right, it moved me to tears.
Knowing the background of the piece and seeing the reactions it elicited made it even more moving. Choreographer Tyce DiOrio said he was inspired by a life-long friend currently dealing with breast cancer, and the dancers performed it beautifully, showing the despair, anger, and need for support that many experience with any cancer.
Judge Nigel Lythgoe commented afterward that it may have been one of the most memorable routines on the show, which celebrated its 100th episode this week. "I think that has just shown me why I love dance so much," he said during the judging, "and that is because it can express so many emotions without use of words."
Using various forms of art to portray the emotions of people affected by cancer--patients, survivors, caregivers--is healing, both to the artist and to those who experience it, whether it be art, music, dance, poetry.
Even breast cancer survivor Olivia Newton-John commented, calling Lythgoe after the show to tell him the dance said more than words could. That it does, so I'll let the dance speak for itself.
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I watched this when it aired. I was also moved to tears as well. I lost a dear Aunt to cancer last year. I was so surprised at the emotion this dance brought out in me and I'm sure many of the viewers. It's really hard to relate to it unless you have struggled with this terrible disease.
It was a beautiful piece, I will remember it forever.
- Posted by Brenda 7/24/09 4:52 PM
I saw the original airing of this dance on television and was more than moved by not only the dance, but also the response of the "judges" involved. I had it saved on my DVR but it was mistakenly deleted by someone else. Thank you so much for this post!!! I am now able to share it with others I know are also touched by this madness.
Melissa and Ade ... WOW! Thank you for the gentle power of your dance!
- Posted by Robin 7/31/09 10:28 AM