Lathrop School Of Dance Continues Traditions,

While Celebrating The Contemporary, 60 Years Strong

By Sherri Smith Baggett

Virginia and Mack Lathrop, founders of Lathrop School of Dance, created a dancing school that embraced the children and students, regardless of how clumsy one could be, turn them into ballerinas, jazz and tap dancers. With only their legacy to carry on, Mrs Diane Wardenburg is today the driving force behind LSOD, and fortunately, was instilled with all the values the Lathrops embraced.

Known to all as Miss Diane, she carries on the dancing tradition and for 60 years, the first weekend of June, the Stardust Revue is presented at the Edmond Town Hall.

Hundreds of dancers were excited for their chance to shine on stage last weekend. From tiny little butterflies flitting about the stage, twirling to their own beat, to the seasoned and experienced Stardusters, there’s always a dancer on stage to make you smile. Such was the case over the course of five performances at 45 Main Street the weekend of June 1-3.

Hip hop has been infused into the dance school, shown by the many different groups bouncing in unison across the stage. Zach Weiland opened a number playing a video game that took him and the dancers on a wild video game ride. Not long after tapping to the beat in one’s seat, the audience was then presented a beautiful and calming ballet number called “They’ll Touch Your Heart.”

An unusual number this year was seen by a group sporting four sets of two brothers. Seven boys danced on stage in tux style with a penguin flare, tapping to the beat while the youngest of the group waddled on stage at the end of the number. Melvin and Matthew DeBose, Braden and Trey Hazard, Matthew and William Lokey, and Chris and Stephen Wutzl stole the show in the “Top Hat Tappy Feet With My Brother.”

Teachers also performed a special number, bringing down the house  dancing like zombies to “Thriller.” In Lathrop style, the Stardusters performed some classics, smiling while swinging to the beat.

It would not be a complete Lathrop show if there was not a hint of patriotism. The LSoD dance team saluted the military, asking veteran members of the audience to stand when their branch of service was announced.

It is always a pleasure to watch the Stardust Revue. It is like bringing Broadway to Main Street, Newtown. The Lathrop family, dancers and audience all meld together to make it “The best show ever.”

To celebrate their 60th year, LSoD has created a cookbook with recipes from past and present students as well as submitted “Stardust Memories.” There is an array of recipes to look over, and many smiles and a lot of laughter waiting to be shared while reading through the memories.

(Please visit NewtownBee.com and click on the Features tab to find this story, where a slideshow with dozens of photos has been added.)