51st Annual Stardust Revue—

Energy, Experience And Charm: Lathrop’s Annual Recital

By Sherri Smith Baggett

As sure as spring comes every March and Memorial Day comes each May, The Lathrop School of Dance Stardust Revue comes to Edmond Town Hall’s auditorium towards the end of every school year. This year Mrs Virginia Lathrop and dancers celebrated the 51st Stardust Revue the weekend of May 30-June 2.

The dance school consists of over 300 students, each working throughout the school year on dance numbers to dazzle and excite the audience during Stardust Revue. This year was no different. Their hard work and dedication showed, as all the students were enthusiastic and shining bright during the show’s five performances.

“The kids had such an upbeat attitude this year,” said Mrs Lathrop. “They were filled with enthusiasm and lots of smiles.”

Patriotic themes led the way for many of the numbers. Mrs Lathrop dedicated “The Spirit of Young America,” danced by a group of experienced young girls, to Bob Hope. She and her late husband Mack danced with Bob Hope during their early years in vaudeville.

We must always “Thank Heaven For Our Little Girls” that Mrs Lathrop and Miss Dianne Wardenburg teach, as the audience loves to see the precious petite dancers in their pretty pink costumes gazing at the stardust ball as spots swirl around the stage. A step or two may be missed, but these girls always bring out the best from the audience. As the show moves on, “Our Darling Daisies” bring out the sunshine and “Energy Plus” gets your hands clapping and blood moving.

There are over 100 students with more than five years of experience in the school. Mrs Lathrop has several classes – including The Stardusters, Jr Stardusters, Lathrop Dancers, and Jr Lathrop Dancers – that bring experience and excitement to the stage.

The “mother’s” group also continues to shine, and special this year was a group of five young teenage dancers showing their talents for the first time in a number called “We’re Proud Of Them.” Their routine continued to improve throughout the weekend as the teens became comfortable on stage.

Closing out the first half of the show were the Lathrop Dancers and Jr Lathrop Dancers moving to the number “Dancing In The Outer Limits.” Dressed in alien heads and hands, eerie music and a blackout effect put them in outer space until the beat picked up, the lights shined and the bodies grooved to the music.

Mrs Lathrop had two Stardusters celebrating 25 years with the dance school this year, Trish Benvenuti and teacher Miss Kristen Holme. Ms Benvenuti dazzled the audience with a solo during the performance of “Hot Honey Rag,” danced to the theme from Chicago, “Razzle Dazzle.” Holme has not only been dedicated to dancing for Mrs Lathrop for 25 years, she has also been teaching for the school since 1990. Her solo dance, which opened the number “Tarzan” set to a song by Phil Collins, featured her moving about the stage with grace and beauty. After a loud appreciative applause, she was joined by her fellow Stardusters in a moving, upbeat, yet emotion-filled performance.

“It is a wonderful feeling to see the kids upbeat and enjoying their dance,” said Mrs Lathrop. “Everyone had a lot of pep, they were really moving and getting into their numbers.

“And of course we couldn’t do the show without our stage crew,” she continued. “We have been together as a team for decades. They go above and beyond to put this show on.”

Danbury Hospital Pediatric Unit and Newtown Scholarship Association benefited from two of the performances held over the weekend. Throughout the five shows, each audience was receptive to the dancers and Mrs Lathrop. Following the grand finale of the final show, Mrs Lathrop and Miss Dianne welcomed four-year-old Caleb Wardenburg onto the stage for a special vocal solo.

Young Master Wardenburg’s rendition of “God Bless America” closed the 51st Stardust Revue, leading to a standing ovation and extended applause as dedicated students and teachers surrounded Mrs Lathrop and Miss Dianne, while the curtain slowly closed on the 51st consecutive year of Lathrop performances.