2010 Stardust Revue

Was A Tribute To Ginnie Lathrop,

And Carried A Dance Studio’s Proud Tradition

By Sherri Smith Baggett

The show must go on.

That was the thought and feeling of every teacher, dancer and their family members involved with the Lathrop School of Dance when they lost their mentor, teacher and friend, Mrs Virginia Lee Lathrop, this past November. Despite aching hearts, the Lathrop School of Dance presented its 58th Stardust Revue June 4-6 with resounding success, as usual.

The dance music was upbeat, mixing modern tunes with classics, bringing energy and enthusiasm to the stage. From “Our Beautiful Buzzin’ Bees,” the three and four year old sweethearts, to the classy dancing of the Stardusters, the audiences’ attention was drawn to the stage.

The Jr Lathrop Dancers, 14 to 16 years of age, once again shined with tap and jazz numbers that show much maturity and advanced dance combination, sporting a swagger they have developed over the many years of tutelage by Mrs Lathrop and Mrs Diane Wardenburg (Miss Diane).

The Jr Stardusters continue to work hard to stay a step ahead, showing their own style and pizzazz, moving in synchronicity and dazzling the crowd with their dancing abilities. Not to be outdone, the “mother’s” continue to show their moves on stage, this year “Serving Up Style” with a flare.

Beginning with the opening act through 16 numbers to intermission, the stage was rocking with dances sporting energy which escalated the audience to a high until the Stardusters took the stage to close the first half with “A Tribute to Our Mrs Lathrop Who Made Us All Smile.” On a deep darkened blue stage, Miss Diane opened the number with a solo somber jazz dance to Barbra Streisand’s song “Smile.” Enjoying and celebrating her 50th year dancing for Lathrop’s, Miss Diane was then joined by the Stardusters in a wonderful dance tribute to Mrs Lathrop. Closing the number, the dancers gathered on the floor, looking up at the screen with the audience to see images of their mentor flash before them. At the end of the number, there was not a dry eye in the house.

“It was mentioned we should have given a tissue out with every ticket sold,” stated Miss Diane. “We wanted to do something nice as a tribute to Mrs Lathrop, not making this a memorial. Her life continues to live on in this school.”

A tribute it was, but look out after intermission, the tempo was pumped up! In true Lathrop style, three classes gathered to perform a rocking number, “Partying With The Chipmunks.” Filling the aisles and stage were chipmunks and chipettes dancing everywhere, providing a spunk and energy to begin an electric second half.

The eight to ten year olds performed “Dino-Mite!” a number that had the children grooving and dancing like dinosaurs to a snappy tune by Queen Latifah. The intensity continued as the Stardusters took the stage in a  jazz number called “Circus,” and then a fun filled dance highlighting all the dancers in “The Greatest Show On Earth!” A “Technologic” performance changed the tempo and the tune a bit, performed by the young teens.

The Stardusters closed the show with a tap number to the song “When The Saints Go Marching In,” a favorite tune of Mrs. Lathrop. The dancers performed with grace and style, powering the end of the show with their high kicking Rockettes-style line, moving in perfect unison and eventually being joined on stage by all the Lathrop dancers for the finale.

It was a show to remember. As Miss Diane thanked the dancers, family friends and crew, only in Lathrop style, she said “This is the best show!”

Thank you Mrs Lathrop for creating a tradition that continues to thrive and live on in Newtown and thank you Miss Diane for carrying the tradition.