Milestones are hit every day; some are celebrated and others pass without anyone noticing. Lathrop School of Dance (LSOD) has been shining spot- and footlights on dancers gracing the stage of Edmond Town Hall for 65 years.

A mainstay in Newtown, LSOD was founded by Mack and Ginny Lathrop, former vaudeville performers who retired to Newtown and opened their dancing school. Mr and Mrs Lathrop's small dance school has become a legacy, a solid tradition after so many decades and is thriving under the tutelage of Diane Wardenburg.

The 65th Stardust Revue was performed by Lathrop School of Dance's current students, over four performances on June 3-4, showcasing talent from truly all ages.

Taking the stage by storm are always The Stardusters, a combination of many dancers that if you add up all of their dancing years combined, it astounds you to the experience and talent on the stage. Their energy, enthusiasm, and love of dance is pervasive during their numbers, giving everyone what they came to see and more. Revival numbers from the years past still excite today's audience.

It all starts with the babies though, at the age of 3 performing simple yet complicated moves. The lights, stage, and audience all become distractions as Miss Diane guides them along from the pit.

It is always a joy to watch the progression of these students over the years as they move up to dance in more challenging numbers and embrace their stage performance, many striving to become a "Starduster."

Alongside Miss Diane is Tamra Saric, bringing hip hop, jazz, tap, "funkyness" choreography, and more to dance numbers. Many of the students' talent shines on stage with all different styles of dance offered.

The Stardust Revue showcased a variety of numbers, from nine male dancers in "The Boys In Star Wars" to the mother's group, better know as The Divas, strutting their moves in "Timeless Style" and bringing down the house with their dance number "Tribute to Jersey Boys, Sherry."

LSOD has different dance teams that perform during the year in many different events. The extra hard work the dancers put in for their performances off stage only make them better on stage at recital time.

Of course the students are only as good as their teachers, and at LSOD the faculty brings excitement, energy, joy, grace, and elegance to every class with a chance for each student to learn and follow their dreams to be their best on stage. This year the faculty had a chance to display that talent during a number led by Miss Tamra on a challenge dance, tapping it out to Disney's "Heigh Ho," and stepping it up to "Work From Home." Once again, the faculty did not disappoint.

Miss Diane oversees every aspect of the dancing school. She continues to choreograph numbers with Miss Tamra to bring fresh dances and styles each year to The Revue.

"It is my privilege and honor to continue the legacy that Mack and Gin built in the Lathrop School of Dance," stated Miss Diane. "I am so looking forward to teaching many generations to come in our great community."

Mrs Lathrop always ended every show complimenting every student on stage, letting them know they were great. Every year for 65 straight years, The Edmond Town Hall stage has been home to "The Best Show Ever."