So You Think You Can Dance's audition caravan rolled into Chicago and Los Angeles last night, the proud homes of the Sears Tower and eye-searing towers of pollution. Overall, the ladies earned more direct tickets to Las Vegas, but the two most memorable auditions of the night swung towards the XY half of the audition pool. Prepare thy proudest "That's my baby!" shrieks for two adorable gents -- one who exemplifies small-town values, and another who won't let deafness stop him from dancing.
Kent Boyd is a literally wide-eyed pollyanna from Wapakoneta, Ohio (population: Oh, just us old kinfolk! And couple cats out back.) The judges vote to send him through to the choreography round instead of straight to Las Vegas, but you sense stakes in this young thing's steps.
Jarrell Robinson didn't qualify to continue in the competition, but I don't plan on forgetting him any time soon. He's a deaf dancer who uses bass vibrations to coordinate with his performance music. As judge Adam Shankman noted, it's remarkable how he manages to tell the story of the music even though he can't hear any a word of it. Miracle Workin' it out!