"So You Think You Can Dance" swings into Seattle

It's a lot like singing in the shower.

In the safety of our homes, we crank up the stereo and dance — imagining we're not alone in front of the full-length mirror, we strut around the bedroom, wiggling our hips to the beat.

And most of us do it.

So it's really not a coincidence that one of this summer's hottest shows was "So You Think You Can Dance." Because we all identify with that "you" in that title, Seattleites, like our counterparts across the country, tuned in en masse to the dance-offs on TV. (On average, more of us watched the show than people in other cities, helping it hit No. 1 in its summertime time slots nationwide for the coveted 18-49 demographic). We also bought every ticket to tonight's tour-opening show at the Paramount — in 30 minutes.

Undoubtedly, some of us will be there just to see hometown hip-hop artist Ivan Koumaev. He's one of the top 10 dancers, now on a two-month, 35-city tour, with second shows added in two lucky cities: New York and Tampa, Fla.

This thirst for dance isn't just a passing fancy — it's more like an obsession.

"Everyone has a secret wish to dance in front of millions of people," said winner Benji Schwimmer. "Everyone has a bit of dance inside them."

Why does "America's favorite dancer" think the show's been so popular?

"The most gorgeous people on Earth under one camera."

Joking aside, Benji believes that co-creator Nigel Lythgoe is ultimately responsible for the success of the show. "He found a way of having America understand the hard work and see the passion — the emotional side, personal side and technical side of dance. People can just relate ... whether they can do a turn or not," Benji said.

Final-four finisher Heidi Groskreutz believes it's because various styles of dancing, from krumping to jive, appeal to different age groups.

"Everybody likes to dance — and if they say they hate it, they only hate it because they don't think they can do it."

The dancers spoke by phone from L.A., where they've been putting in 12-hour days for two weeks, training under the leadership of two dance captains: Travis Wall and Donyelle Jones.

How are they doing?

"Exhausted. I haven't slept in the last four months, but I'm just happy to be here working," said Benji, who dropped a bit of news, too. For those gearing up to buy tickets to see Benji in the new Celine Dion musical, here's a tip: Don't.

The West Coast Swing specialist told us he turned down the contract, which was part of the prize package for the second-season winner of "So You Think You Can Dance." "That really wasn't my genre of dance ... It's an honor, [but] that'd be like an environmental lawyer with a contract to represent O.J. Simpson."

Performing with Dion would've also tied him to Vegas for a full year, he said. Benji wanted to remain close to his family and the dance studio that he co-owns in Redlands, Calif. — more than 200 miles away.

But this guy's not done with his 15 minutes of fame. He's working several different projects from writing and co-producing a movie about dancing (Heidi told us she'll appear with cousin Benji in this one) to working on a TV show on the lives of dancers.

"You'll definitely be seeing me a lot more," he said.

Early favorite Allison Holker, also on the tour, wants to get a taste of life outside of the dance world. "I would love to go to college eventually," she said, and have a family in addition to work. "I'll be doing a lot of teaching and choreographing" after the tour.

She's also considering joining a modern-dance company and reprising her "High School Musical" role in the sequel.

Benji, who's still single, by the way, is thinking about the "Dance" fans in Seattle who couldn't snag a spot at the 2,800-seat Paramount. "Look online to buy tickets," he said, knowing they sold out quickly here. "We wish, as dancers, that we could do more shows over there."

Judy Chia Hui Hsu: 206-464-3315 or jhsu@seattletimes.com