Seventy-five years ago, the eyes of the nation were on rural Nebraska after hundreds of rioters and 40 sheriff's deputies descended on Loup City.

Now the Depression-era riot is the subject of a production written by a New York playwright and granddaughter of a Loup City resident.

Locals are taking the historic event to the stage in "Hey Rube! Riot on the Great Plains."

"[It's] from the perspective of the two newspaper families," said Vonnie Dzingle, the show's producer and grandmother of the play's writer.

The People's Standard sided with the liberal Farm Holiday Movement, which supported withholding crops for better prices.

The Sherman County Times spoke for townspeople who opposed the movement.

The two sides clashed on June 14th, 1934.

"It was a hot afternoon and the temperature, as well as the inflammatory speeches obviously contributed to the clash that resulted in the late afternoon and lasted about 10 min," said Dennis Welty of the Sherman County Historical Society. "There were sticks and there were socks filled with soap [used as weapons]."

When the crowd of more than 200 dispersed, one man was injured.

"It was nationwide. It was in the newspapers from coast to coast," said Dzingle.

But play-goers won't see the scuffle.

Instead the play focuses on the events leading up to and following the riot.

"I've lived here all my life. I've read the historical marker that's on the court house...i did not realize it had gone through so much time to lead up to the point to the actual riot," said Janelle Mostek, director.

"As we dug into it more and more it became more and more interesting as we discovered townspeople involved that many of us were familiar with," said Welty.

That personal connection to the story is what many locals believe will make it a success.

Dzingle says her granddaughter may even submit the play to be performed in New York, but you can see it here in Nebraska first.

If You Attend:
August 22, 7:30p.m.
August 23, 2:00p.m.
Loup City High School Theater, 800 North 8th St.

Tickets available at Loup City locations:
Citizens Bank
Custom Floral
Heritage Bank
Joe's Market
King's True Variety
Whoa & Go

Tickets can also be sent to you by calling or emailing:
Alec Baillie 308-745-0246 abaillie@charter.net
Dennis Welty 308-233-4521 dlw-ne@charter.net
Vonnie Dzingle 308-745-1149 goldenrodgallery@msn.com
*Tickets must be purchased in advance.