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The Atlanta Charisma Years

June 2, 2010

Here at Starr-Style, we have some very special 25th Anniversaries coming up this year! Later this month, June 29th, marks 25 years since the Atlanta Charisma Berkeley’s Broadway Babies tripped the light fantastic at Center Stage in midtown Atlanta in their musical/variety extravaganza, Jumpin’ Georgia Jive of 1985! Throughout the next few weeks, I will be sharing photos and memories from those very creative and special years, 1985, 1986, & 1987, when Bobby Berkeley and I co-owned and directed the performing arts center, Atlanta Charisma, “Home of Berkeley’s Broadway Babies.”

Starr & Bobby (1985)

I met Bobby and his Darling, Ellen, one spring day in 1976 on Long Island when he and I were auditioning for a production of Cabaret at Lindenhurst’s Studio Theatre. As we climbed the steep staircase to the rehearsal hall with me two steps ahead of him and wearing my fashionable, cut velvet mini coat, he remarked, “I see you brought your legs along.” We both landed dance roles in the show and that was the beginning of a dance partnership that lasted until Bobby’s passing in 1994 and a friendship with Ellen which still flourishes today.

The Cabaret Dancers (1976)

Bobby (down in front) & Starr in “Pink” (I was a Kit Kat Klub Performer named “Texas”!)

Years later in the 1980′s, destiny found us all living and dancing in the fastest growing city in the south, Atlanta, Georgia. When the time was right, Bobby and I pursued our dream of opening a dance studio together. In late 1984, we found a lovely studio that was available to rent in beautiful Stone Mountain. We set up shop and by early 1985 we began our adventure that would last for three glamorous years!

Bobby and I had many years of dance teaching experience under our belts in the subjects of Ballet, Jazz, Ballroom and our all time favorite, Tap! We had studied with top notch instructors all of our lives and had taught at premiere dance studios on Long Island. We had performed in many collegiate, summer stock, amateur and professional productions in New York and Georgia. We were ready to share our knowledge of and our passion for the art of dancing and performing with the next generation of Atlanta dancers. We gathered a small staff of excellent instructors and associates and before long our students and our performing company, “Berkeley’s Broadway Babies” were winning dance competitions and landing gigs all around Atlanta.

Berkeley’s Broadway Babies Ensemble (1985)

Starr, Ellen & Bobby (center)

A few performance highlights from 1985…

*** Uptown Celebration – Gwinnett Place Mall’s 1st Anniversary ***

(Industrial)

“Hooked on the Red, White & Blue”

Patriotic Dance Routine

Starr & Bobby

Jazzing it up in “Body Rock”

*** Marietta Arts & Antiques Festival ***

(Industrial)

“Love Is Good For Anything That Ails You!”

On the Marietta Square Stage

Starr, Bobby & and our Darling Dancing Partner, Donna

Donna’s Spectacular Piece

“Le Jazz Hot”

Donna, Bobby & Starr are front & center

*** Fantastic Fourth Celebration – Stone Mountain Park ***

(Industrial)

*** Atlanta Swings Again at the Marriott Marquis ***

(Industrial)

Bobby and I had the distinct honor of dancing a trio with tap legend, Arthur Duncan, at this show. Dionne Warwick was the headliner.

*** Yellow Daisy Festival – Stone Mountain Park ***

(Industrial)

*** “Berkeley’s Broadway Babies At The Cotton Club” ***

WPBA/Channel 30

(Television)

*** Exercise & Health with Jean Shapiro – 2 episodes ***

Prime Cable

(Television)

*** “Big Time” ***

A Stage Directions, Inc. Production

(Theatre)

And last, but not least, our 1st Annual Recital…

Our all dancing, all singing and all acting stage show transported the audience back to the days of the Cotton Club in Harlem, NY during the 1920′s, 30′s & 40′s. Vintage music, gorgeous costumes and a pro/am cast of performers made for an exciting evening for parents and patrons.