The Outsiders might as well be a modern classic. The 1967 book written by S.E. Hinton and 1983 film directed by Francis Ford Coppola have both cemented themselves in the coming-of-age canon, telling the story of 14-year-old dreamer Ponyboy Curtis and his search for something bigger amidst the tensions of class divisions and violence in 1960s Tulsa, Oklahoma. Now, a new adaptation of the story has taken the stage – a Broadway musical. But how does it measure up to its highly acclaimed counterparts?
Just two months after its official opening at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre in April 2024, The Outsiders received 12 Tony Award nominations and 4 wins, including the coveted prize of Best Musical; its wins in the categories of best lighting design and best sound design, particularly, were more than deserved. After seeing the show on the MHS Concert Choir trip to New York City, Berit Enstad, ‘26 said that “the lighting mixed with the sound mixed with the choreo [was] the most insane thing ever.” Her enthusiasm was matched by much of the audience, with theatergoers heard excitedly commenting on the innovation of the show’s technical aspects during intermission. As The Outsiders depicts teen gang violence and its effects, there are several fight scenes during the musical, which were all well-choreographed and deftly used sound and lighting effects to create an immersive and unique experience.
The story itself is nothing new, even if you ignore the show’s previous iterations. Its central points of rival gangs, fight scenes, and unexpected romances are evocative of classic theatre tales such as Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story, but the slower moments of the first act make it a bit more difficult for the production to leave a lasting impression. Emerson Morgan, ‘27, saw the musical both after opening and during previews, when the show was still subject to change. He felt that the difference between the two “was pretty big” and that the show’s closing ballad “Stay Gold” “was more emotionally impactful in the [previewed] version.”
As a whole, though, The Outsiders on Broadway is worth the watch: an enduring tale of the importance of family – both born and found – and appreciating the good in the world. It makes up for any drags in plot or score with expressive lighting and sound choices and adapts a well-known tale to generations of new audiences.
