53 Years Later, Lathrop’s Dancers Are Still Hot With Tap, Jazz & Ballet Revue

By Sherri Smith Baggett

The sound of tapping feet could be heard up and down Main Street this past weekend as the 53rd Stardust Revue was presented by the Lathrop School of Dance at Edmond Town Hall. Exciting numbers were performed by the Stardusters, Jr Stardusters, Lathrop Dancers and Jr Lathrop Dancers to name a few.

The show presented over 300 students that have worked hard during the year learning their tap and jazz numbers for this one exciting weekend. Dancers performed five shows over the course of three days for family and friends.

The opening number always celebrates the high school seniors with the Overture Stardust. During this number the stage is filled with dancers who are seen many times during the Revue.

Always a highlight in the show are the three-and four-year olds. Though they know their number prior to getting on stage, the applaud from the audience and the swirling dots created by the lit twirling ball are usually the cause of distractions during their routine, but one can always count on a beautiful bow when their dance is completed. The show runs smoothly with Mrs Lathrop guiding dancers from the side stage and Miss Diane Wardenburg, Mrs Lathrop’s right hand, directing the dancers from the pit.

Dancers performed to lively tunes this year from Elvis and Grease to Wedding Bells and New York New York. As usual, the talented Stardusters performed several dazzling numbers, closing the first half with the tune “Hot Chocolate” from the movie The Polar Express. Dancing down the isles to the stage, each carried a tray looking prepared to serve a delicious cup of hot chocolate, but instead the audience was served a hot tap dance.

One of Mrs Lathrop’s dancers, Lynn Lewis, celebrated her 25th year with the Lathrop School of Dance. Miss Lynn, teacher and dancer, did not dance during the recital this year as she recently delivered a beautiful baby girl joining two siblings at home. Instead, Miss Lynn became an asset backstage with each performance as she prepared and organized the dancers for their number on stage.

This show provided something for everyone to enjoy. There were energetic jazz numbers and tapping rhythmic feet by young dancers just learning to veterans with over “30 Something” years of experience. Viewers couldn’t help but have a good feeling after the show and leave with a smile.

Each year Mrs Lathrop donates a portion of the proceeds from two shows to the Danbury Hospital Pediatric Unit and also to Newtown Scholarship Association.

A tradition started after September 11, 2001 with young Caleb Wardenburg, now six years old, singing “God Bless America” at the end of each show. The audience is asked to join him to honor our country and those serving.

Surrounded by Mrs Lathrop and his parents, Joel and Miss Diane Wardenburg, Caleb closes the show with a beautiful rendition. It is a sight to see as all the glitter of the costumes and the mixture of lights combine around a very special and talented teacher, Mrs Virginia Lathrop, who has served Newtown’s dancing community for more than half a century.