“Dancing With the Stars” Season 34, Episode 6

“Dancing With the Stars” brought all things Oz to the ballroom for Wicked Night.

The remaining couples danced to songs from the Broadway musical and movie adaptation in celebration of Wicked: For Good, which comes out in late November.

Judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli were joined by Wicked and Wicked: For Good director Jon M. Chu.

Stars of the film Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande joined virtually with a video welcoming the audience to the show, ensuring a “thrillifying” night.

The pros and troupe dazzled the audience with an opening number to a medley of songs from Wicked. Chris Scott, who choreographed the numbers in the film adaptation, choreographed the pro dance.

Self-proclaimed No. 1 Wicked fan Scott Hoying was the first celebrity to dance with his partner, Rylee Arnold.

They performed a contemporary routine to “The Wizard and I” that had a few mistakes but still channeled the magical energy of the Broadway show. They scored 28 out of 40.

Next up was Alix Earle with Val Chmerkovskiy. They danced a jazz routine to “What Is This Feeling?” that allowed them to play with storytelling, making for a theatrical performance.

They earned three nines from the main judges and an eight from Chu, totaling 35 out of 40.

Robert Irwin followed with another stunning jazz routine. Channeling his inner Fiyero, he performed “Dancing Through Life” with his partner, Witney Carson. Seeing Irwin portray this character was highly anticipated by fans, and he did not disappoint.

The judges scored them all nines, giving them a total of 36 out of 40.

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Whitney Leavitt was up next with an impressively fast quickstep to “Popular,” showcasing her partner Mark Ballas’ choreography skills.

The judges praised the complicated routine, resulting in the first few 10s of the season from Inaba, Chu and Tonioli. Hough gave them a nine, bringing their total to 39 out of 40.

Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach hit the floor next with a sensual rumba to “I’m Not That Girl.” The judges loved the chemistry between the two but felt Efron’s hip action fell flat.

They scored 32 out of 40 for the routine.

Andy Richter followed with an entertaining jazz routine to “One Short Day” with his partner Emma Slater. The duo scored their first sevens from all but Hough, totaling 27 out of 40.

Next up was actress Elaine Hendrix and her partner, Alan Bersten. They performed a contemporary routine to “Defying Gravity,” which ended with the star suspended in the air, channeling her inner Elphaba.

The duo earned 36 out of 40 from the judges but, shockingly, didn’t receive a single 10.

Season 34’s other The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star danced next with her partner, Jan Ravnik.

Jen Affleck performed a foxtrot to “As Long as You’re Mine” after asking her partner for more difficult choreography. They scored eights across the panel, totaling 32 out of 40.

Following Affleck, actress Danielle Fishel performed a sharp Argentine tango to “No Good Deed.” The judges praised their routine, giving them their best score yet — 36 out of 40.

Closing out Wicked Night was Jordan Chiles and her partner, Ezra Sosa. They danced a breakthrough rumba to “For Good,” which also earned them 10s from Inaba, Chu and Tonioli. This was Sosa’s first 10, and rightfully so.

Like Leavitt, Hough gave them a nine, bringing their total to 39 out of 40.

After a week without elimination on Dedication Night, one couple unfortunately had to leave on Wicked Night.

Hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough called the names of the safe pairs, leaving Andy and Emma, Scott and Rylee, and Dylan and Daniella as the final three.

To the audience’s shock, they revealed Scott and Rylee as the eliminated couple.

Wicked Night on “Dancing With the Stars” was a beautiful celebration of the upcoming film, but the fun themes won’t stop there.

Next week, the remaining celebrities will take on Halloween Night for an evening of spooktacular dancing.

— Sarah Gavlak

Sarah Gavlak is a fourth-year majoring in telecommunications. To contact her, please email sng5393@psu.edu.