In an age where societal divides seem more prominent than ever, “The Outsiders” remains a powerful story that examines the struggles of youth and self-identity. This classic coming-of-age novel by S.E. Hinton was written back in 1967 and is still talked about today. The book already has a movie adaptation, released in 1983 but now it’s on Broadway! “The Outsiders” hit Broadway last March and has been a smashing success ever since.
I had the opportunity to see the show, along with fellow Stags through the Ignatian Residential College Program here at Fairfield. While I have never read the novel, I have always been a huge fan of the film adaptation, so I was excited to see it on Broadway.
In case you are unfamiliar with the story, “The Outsiders” follows Ponyboy Curtis, a smart young teen from a working-class neighborhood, as he navigates life with his friend group, the Greasers. Set in 1960s Oklahoma, this story creates tension between the two main groups, the Greasers and their rich rivals, the Socs. This is a story about friendship, rivalry, family and heartbreak filled with unforgettable characters and heart-touching moments.
I had the pleasure of seeing “The Outsiders” last weekend and I think it’s safe to say that it brilliantly blends heart and grit while staying true to the original story. The cast was absolutely phenomenal, acting their hearts out while giving emotional and moving performances. I thought that Trevor Wayne (who was an understudy to Brody Grant) stole the show with his performance as Ponyboy.
The story centers around brotherhood, highlighting the importance of family. The relationship between Ponyboy and his brothers Darrel (Brent Comer) and Sodapop (Jason Schmidt) was nothing short of emotional.
Sophomore Rebecca Quintana also saw the musical and said that Darrel was her favorite character. She said she “loved how much he cared for his family and all the sacrifices he made to keep them together.”
She commented on the fact that while Darrel was often hard on Ponyboy, “you can tell how much he admires his little brother.”
During an emotional scene in Act II, Ponyboy runs away and Darrel and Sodapop are left in their home without him. Comer and Schmidt give an outstanding performance of “Throwing in the Towel” which Quintana said was her favorite song.
Daniella Norena-Mesa ‘27 agreed and said that the song “brought me to tears… the brothers’ harmonies were stunning.”
Norena-Mesa loved the show, commenting on how compelling and heartbreaking the story was. She went into the show blind, never reading the novel nor watching the movie. She explained how amazing of an experience it was to see it and was even able to meet some of the cast after the show.
While I thought the entire show was fantastic, a standout scene for me was when Johnny, Ponyboy’s best friend, dies. The haunting musical score, combined with the raw performances of the cast perfectly captured the devastating impact of loss. At the very end of the show Sky Lakota-Lynch, who played Johnny gave an outstanding performance of the song “Stay Gold.” Ever since I watched the movie, the line “Stay gold Ponyboy” stuck with me, so I loved that they dedicated a whole song to that scene.
Joshua Boone, who played Dally Winston, gave some of the best performances of the whole show. His heartbreaking ending came with the song “Little Brother” which was a total tearjerker for the audience. I thought that his acting was phenomenal and provided a perfect blend of comedy and vulnerability. Boone did an amazing job of showcasing Dally’s complex nature, bringing depth to the stage.
Overall, “The Outsiders” on Broadway is definitely something to look out for. The show is a stunning triumph that revitalizes a classical tale many know and love. With its powerful performances, electrifying music and touching themes of family, this show is a must-see.
You can find tickets for “The Outsiders” and many other amazing shows here at broadway.com.
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