Dancers Of All Ages Created

55th Stardust Revue

By Sherri Baggett

A couple of former Lathrop School of Dance students were discussing their past and the great times enjoyed during their years learning to dance from Virginia and Mack Lathrop and what it has all meant. They found not much has changed today for the current students, as the eight month build-up of intense learning ends with stage jitters and excitement as each dancer awaits their turn to grace the stage of the Edmond Town Hall and perform in the Stardust Revue each spring.

Last weekend The Lathrop School of Dance presented its 55th Stardust Revue with Mrs Virginia Lee Lathrop at the helm and Mrs Diane Wardenurg on her right arm. Together, they directed over 350 dancers participating in five shows, dancing in a total of 39 numbers.

It seems the talented and polished Stardusters should steal the show, but somehow it is always the babies who capture the hearts of the audience. Dancing in beautiful pink ballerina costumes to “Our Rainbow Princesses” the three- and four-year old students begin their dance and inevitably get lost in the glittering speckle lights that circulate the stage. The crowd cheers them on and then settles into their seats for an exciting action-packed, fast-tapping show.

             Each year it seems the students become more polished and crisp with their dance routines. From the young jazz dancers performing “Mickey’s Favorites” and “Jazzin’ To The Top” to the tap dancing of the moms swinging to “A Bit Of Broadway,” inevitably the tapping of feet can be heard throughout the audience as they bounce to the beat of the music.

             The young high school dancers, better known as The Lathrop Dancers and The Jr. Lathrop Dancers, provide energy with their shimmying in high-powered jazz numbers, yet show many graceful moves as in the number performed “Seasons Of Love” from the Broadway hit Rent. With a quick costume change, the groups are back on stage performing a fast paced yet eloquent tap number, not missing a beat.

Mrs Lathrop brought back several numbers this year that have stayed in the hearts of many long time admirers. Written for and performed by the Stardusters was the number “0-60”. Choreographed in 1988 by Jane Dodge, a long time friend of Mrs Lathrop, this dramatic and timeless dance is performed with grace and perfection to close the first half. Also performed by the Stardusters was “Money Money” a crowd pleasing favorite from Broadway’s Cabaret.

             Starduster Linae Wutzl celebrated her 25th year with Lathrop’s dancing a solo performance to her wedding song, “It Had To Be You”, which she dedicated to her husband. She didn’t miss a beat with her soft shoe performance, tossing her top hat into the pit and wowing the audience with her moves, still showing her grace and talent of 25 years in dance.

The finale brought us glitter, color and joy, as it does every year. Proud parents and friends cheer their child as the dancers come across the stage for their final call of the season. The stage is packed with close to 100 dance students as Mrs Lathrop is introduced to an overwhelming applause. Her work is done for another year and before the curtain closes, Caleb Wardenburg leads the audience in singing “God Bless America,” a trademark to the closing of the Stardust Revue. Hugs and farewells are given and then tap, jazz and ballet shoes are packed away… summer is here!