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LAUREL — Leather jackets, jukebox swagger and a story older than time are taking the stage at Laurel-Concord- Coleridge this week.
The school’s one-act production, “Two Households,” flips Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet into a 1950s Nebraska tale, where the famous feud becomes a small-town clash between greasers and “socs,” in the spirit of The Outsiders.
With nearly 60 cast and crew members, the production is one of LCC’s largest undertakings to date. Coaches say students have been juggling packed schedules — athletics, music, clubs and more — to bring the tragedy to life.
“This group shows up for each other,” the directing team said. “They’re dedicated, imaginative and all-in.”
The production shines especially bright thanks to its large senior class — many of whom have participated in one-act all four years. Their leadership has been called “pivotal” to this year’s success.
Seniors include: Stella Kock, Kolten Settje, Holly Patefield, Laney Folkers, Kennedy Hall, Emily Rasmussen, Addison Hoeppner, Derek Nelson, Kate Tasler, Tyrelle Sims, Danica Gould, Tyler Recob and Darly Garcia-Perez.
Their final high-school curtain call promises to be a memorable one.
Written by Sarah Beckwith, Two Households preserves the core emotional stakes of Shakespeare’s most iconic tragedy while swapping Renaissance swords for switchblades and teen angst.
The familiar themes remain: forbidden love, family loyalty, violence, and the devastating cost of pride. But placing the narrative in mid-century Nebraska — where two hometown teen tribes compete for turf and status — gives audiences a new way to connect with the lovers’ fate.
The reimagined setting is expected to resonate strongly with both teens and adults, and it carries the same cautionary message Shakespeare wrote more than 400 years ago.
Because the play deals with mature themes, including violence and selfharm, viewer discretion is advised.
Audiences have multiple opportunities to see the show — both locally and in competition.
A public performance will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14 in the LCC Legacy Gym.
The troupe will perform at the Swedish One-Act Festival in Wausa Sunday, Nov. 17. The GNAC Conference meet will be in Hartington Monday, Nov. 18. LCC will perform at 12:30 p.m. that day.
District Competition will be in Homer at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3.
