“So You Think You Can Dance” Top 20 Revealed

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE: The Season Eight Top 20 finalists. Pictured back row L-R: Missy Morelli, Marko Germar, Caitlynn Lawson, Jordan Casanova, Nick Young, Sasha Mallory, Chris Koehl, Robert Taylor Jr. and Iveta Lukosiute. Middle Row: Jess LeProtto, Clarice Ordaz, Miranda Maleski, Tadd Gadduang, Ashley Rich, Melanie Moore, Alexander Fost and Ryan Ramirez. Front row L-R: Mitchell Kelly, Ricky Jaime and Wadi Jones. ©2011 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: JAmes Dimmock/FOX

The top 20 were revealed for season eight of So You Think You Can Dance Thursday night.

Unlike last year – where the group was trimmed to the top 10 before the live shows began, SYTYCD went back to its original format of starting first with that top 20.

The producers did add a new twist, however, by having the dancers take the stage to show off their mad skills in front of a live audience.

Ricky Jaime was the first dancer to get the good news he’d made it – followed quickly by Miranda Meleski and Melanie Moore.

Sisters Sasha and Natalia Mallory came in together and left separately. Sasha made it to the top 20 while her sis didn’t quite make it…this season anyway.

And it was those four chosen that took the stage together for their first dazzling contemporary performance choreographed by Stacey Tooki.

Hip-Hop dancers did well in the top 20 beginning with Christopher Koehl, who had auditioned and made it to Las Vegas in the past, but never cracked the top 20…until now. Koehl was followed into the top 20 by Wadi Jones, Tad Gadduang and Robert Taylor. Then those four strutted their stuff for the audience with a hot Dave Scott, Hip-Hop routine.

Ballroom was brutal for most of the contestants, but Iveta Lukosiute finally made the cut after three times at bat. Lukosiute did a sizzling live ballroom routine with season three finalist Pasha Kovalev.

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE: Hosted by Cat Deeley (sixth from L) with resident judges Nigel Lythgoe (C) and Mary Murphy (third from L), as well as guest judges Tyce Diorio (L), Robin Antin (second from L) Lil' C (fifth from L), Toni Redpath (seventh from L) and Jason Gilkison (R). ©2011 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Patrick Ecclesine/FOX

SYTYCD judge and ballroom champion herself, Mary Murphy gave us her signature scream for the first time since her return to the show. It was all to welcome Lukosuite, who is a world ballroom champion from Lithuania, to the competition.

Clarice Ordaz was next representing Jazz dancers in season eight’s top 20. Marko Germar, a Jazz dancer who survived a near-death robbery, also made it into the top 20, followed by sexy Jazzer Jordan Casanova who wowed the judges in Las Vegas with her naughty routine and fellow Jazz dancer Missy Morelli.

Those four jolted the audience to attention with a down and dirty Sonya Tayeh choreographed routine.

Jess Leprotto, the 18-year old Musical Theater dancer from NJ and Nick Young, a 19-year-old tap dancer from Wisconsin were both welcomed into the top 20. And there really wasn’t a better way to showcase their unique styles than with a Christopher Scott choreographed, theatrically-driven routine to the tune of Nina Simone’s Funkier than a Mosquito’s Tweeter. It was a great combo of leather and tux tails.

Caitlyn Lawson left Executive Producer Nigel Lythgoe smitten by her talent and her gorgeous smile. She, of course made it to the top 20 followed quickly by Ashley Rich, Mitchell Kelly, Alexander Fost and Ryan Ramirez – all contemporary dancers.

The four cleaned up the floor with a tremendous routine choreographed by season two runner-up, Travis Wall.

The rest of the night was all about performance. It allowed viewers to get to know the top 20 better with a few new routines – guys first in dapper duds, then gals as Geishas.

The last number was courtesy of choreographer Tyce DiOrio, who brought it home utilizing the strengths of all top 20 dancers.

This year’s group is so fierce it’s scary. Season eight of SYTYCD is going to be eye-popping.

Next week the live performances continue – and it’s America’s turn to vote on who stays and who goes home. One male and one female will be eliminated in the results show beginning Wednesday and Thursday (8:00 p.m. ET/PT, FOX).

And as you’ll see in the video below the top 20 dancers were all psyched up for the new season.