Toe-Tapping Talent

 

At Lathrop’s 57th Annual Stardust Revue

By Sherri Smith Baggett

There are some things one can always count on in the month of June: Summer arrives, our American flag is honored, school lets out, and like clockwork, the first weekend of the month brings us live dancing entertainment from Newtown’s own Lathrop School of Dance. The 57th Stardust Revue graced the Edmond Town Hall stage in style June 5-7 with five shows, the last as energetic as the first.

Strutting to the wonderful age of 94, Mrs Virginia Lathrop continues to choreograph and write modern jazz, tap and ballet numbers for beginning children of three years up through the Divas or as once known, the mother’s group. Mrs Diane Wardenburg choreographs along side the “master, Mrs Lathrop” then teaches the steps to the dancers.

Lathrop’s three year olds, “Sweet Little Sailors” move to the tune of Popeye while being distracted by an excited audience and lights swirling around stage; they are so adorable. Throughout the show, the tunes quickly change to upbeat energetic pop songs by top music entertainers. Dancers ranging from four to over 20 perform their numbers to perfection while sporting broad smiles as audiences clap in appreciation of the entertainment.

Viewers can always count on graceful synchronized dances performed by the Stardusters. Together for over 40 years, these dancers set the tone for the Revue with a Broadway style tap number from the musical Chicago, and reappeared later in the performance with a stunning soft shoe number, “Over The Rainbow.”

The Lathrop Dancers followed their protégés this year with a commanding precision line performance of “The Wooden Soldiers.” Sporting red cheeks, top hats and a bright red toy soldier costume, the Lathrop Dancers set the stage for the perfect line formation dance, topped off with a special appearance by “Marco.”

Sisters Darlene Walker Spencer and Linda Walker Uhde performed a tap number choreographed by Linda to the big band sound. The duo tapped and smiled, celebrating 25 years of dancing. Their mom, Marie Walker, celebrated her birthday in fine style as she proudly watched her daughters and granddaughter dance.

The one constant theme seen for 57 years during the Stardust Revue is family. The Lathrop School of Dance brings together their students, teachers and dancers one weekend a year to display their talent and dances worked on for many months. Parents, friends and volunteers get to sit back, relax and watch a Broadway style show.