By Georgia Thelen
Review Staff Writer
The Lake Orion High School Thespian Troupe 2898 donned the Wildwood Amphitheater stage Sept. 15-18 with fanny packs, flannels and Converse during their 90’s rendition of William Shakespeare’s, ‘Romeo and Juliet’.
With the original manuscript, no sound assistance and even a few raindrops, the Thespian Troupe filled the amphitheater with emotions and laughter during their version of ‘Romeo and Juliet’.
The Montague Coffee House and Capulet Tea Company battled it out on stage all night. The Thespian Troupe even had a special vote going at the concession stand for which “house” was the crowd favorite.
Performing a summer Shakespeare production with a different twist every year has been a tradition for the Thespian Troupe. Megan Lareau, the 2016 elected troupe president, instantly knew she wanted to perform one of her favorite Shakespeare plays, ‘Romeo and Juliet’.
“I immediately thought to set the show in the 90’s. The whole plot reminds me very much of a dramatic 90’s sitcom. The coffee vs. tea theme came from the rivalry between the two families,” said Lareau.
The cast and crew ran into only a few hindrances since they started production in June. One major challenge was transporting the entire set, flat-by-flat and then rebuilding it at Wildwood.
Troupe member efforts and fundraising pay for everything needed to run a successful show including set, costumes and venue.
“Profits from the show t-shirt sales helped pay for show expenses. From there, any additional expenses were paid for through the concessions profits,” said LOHS theater teacher, Scott Finn.
Lareau says she is very proud of how all four shows went and was lucky to watch her entire cast grow and change over one summer.
Any students interested in being involved in LOHS productions are welcome to join the Thespian Society and may contact Scott Finn for more information at Scott.Finn@lok12.org.