The Outsiders on Broadway made its highly anticipated debut on April 11, 2024, bringing the tale of the timeless story between two worlds that were never meant to collide. Taken from the imagination of author S.E Hinton, Broadway reinvents the tale on stage through the vision of Dayna Taymor. 

Told through the narration of 14 year old Ponyboy Curtis, the production unfolds in a divided town of Tusla, where wealth separates it’s residents into the two distinct groups: The Greasers, being the rebellious working class youth, and the Socs, being privileged kids whose struggles lies in their academic pressures and high expectations. Ponyboy Curtis lives on the East side of Tusla, living alongside his older brothers Darry and Sodapop. After a run in with the Soc’s, Ponyboy is confronted with the harsh realities that come with living on the Greaser’s side of town. During a night at the drive- in, Ponyboy and his friend Johnny Cade both end up in a deadly run-in with Soc ending up with an accidental death. The Outsiders follow Ponyboy and Johnny’s runaway from the town of Tulsa to escape their mistake that night.

The Musical

The story is told with a folk rock style that adds to the southern, authentic feel to the story that captures the emotional connection of the characters with each other. 

One of the most powerful numbers is “Great Expectations,” performed by Brody Grant as Ponyboy Curtis. This song being one that is provoked by the emotional realization of the need for something greater in harsh realities of living as a Greaser. The song’s melody and lyrics makes it a show stopping song that is one to despite praise, The recurring songs such as “Tulsa 67” serves to set the stage for the greasers and socs to interact.

There is constant movement on stage that isn’t just shown through dance, but in mechanics and machinery. There is an intense, almost cinematic feel to the climactic rumble fight. The use of water that pours from the stage allows the violence to feel real and interactive. 

The choreography serves to storytell as much as the lyrics, making each and every punch, chase, and loving moment feel organic. The energy never wavers, and keeps the audience entranced  from the beginning to end.