Review Roundup: THE OUTSIDERS Embarks on National Tour

The North American Tour of The Outsiders is now underway. The tour launched at Shea's Buffalo Theatre in Buffalo, NY on September 17 and officially opened in Tulsa, OK on Wednesday, October 8, at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. Read the reviews for the tour so far here!

Leading the cast are Nolan White as Ponyboy Curtis, Bonale Fambrini as Johnny Cade, Tyler Jordan Wesley as Dallas Winston, Travis Roy Rogers as Darrel Curtis, Corbin Drew Ross as Sodapop Curtis, Emma Hearn as Cherry Valance, Jaydon Nget as Two-Bit, Mark Doyle as Bob, and Jackson Reagin as Paul. At certain performances, Jordan DeAndre Williams will play Ponyboy Curtis.

The touring company also includes Seth Ajani, Christian Arredondo, Brandon Mel Borkowsky, Dante D'Antonio, Gina Gagliano, Hannah Jennens, Giuseppe Little, Sebastian Martinez, Abby Matsusaka, Justice Moore, Mekhi Payne, John Michael Peterson, Katie Riedel, Luke Sabracos, and Johnathan Tanner.

Winner of four 2024 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, The Outsiders features a book by Tony Award nominee Adam Rapp with Tony Award winner Justin Levine, music and lyrics by Tony Award nominees Jamestown Revival (Jonathan Clay & Zach Chance) and Justin Levine, and direction by Tony Award winner Danya Taymor. The production features choreography by Tony Award nominees Rick Kuperman and Jeff Kuperman, with music supervision, orchestrations, and arrangements by Justin Levine.

Peter Hall, Buffalo Rising: Longtime Shea’s season ticket-holding friends who got to THE OUTSIDERS earlier in the run haven’t shut up about how much they loved this show. I’ve never heard such universal approval; zero nits to pick. They were completely captivated … the music and the choreography, and teary-eyed by the poignant story. And so was I.

Hayden Hudson, The Daily Nebraskan: There are certain moments in live theatre that make me hold my breath, and “Great Expectations” was one of them. It was like any sudden movement could rip you from the sheer magic that was happening on stage. It was one of those moments that reminded me why I love theatre so much.

Joni Lorraine, BroadwayWorld: My praise for this production of THE OUTSIDERS may seem effusive. Early reviews for the show were mixed, with concerns that have since been addressed so effectively that the production went on to earn its well-deserved Tonys. There are some shows worth seeing and others we simply shouldn’t miss. THE OUTSIDERS is the latter.

Cat McCarrey, The Austin Chronicle: This wild musical swing wouldn’t hold together without powerful leadership from Ponyboy, the 14-year-old narrator of the original novel. If Ponyboy rings false, nothing else works. Luckily, Nolan White’s performance kept the musical firmly in reality. Rooting the story with a wry fragility, Ponyboy’s observations played as wise and heartbreaking. His fourth wall breaks and meta commentary could be grating in the wrong hands, but White’s hangdog sensibility and pure vocals enraptured the audience.

David Taffet, The Dallas Voice: My disappointment in the show has to do with the story, not the cast. Nolan White, Travis Roy Rogers and Corbin Drew Ross as the Curtis brothers — Ponyboy, Sodapop and Darrell — and Emma Hearn as Cherry all had chemistry and wonderful voices. And shout out to Luke Sabracos, who we interviewed for the Oct. 31 Dallas Voice. The music by Jamestown Revival and Justin Levine ranges from memorable to annoying. If you’re a fan of the book or the film, you’ll probably love the show. The audience on Wednesday’s media night did.

Natalie De La Garza, Houston Press: Hinton’s themes around identity, belonging, socioeconomic division, and found family are as resonant now as they were almost 60 years ago. Its teen angst is familiar, maybe too familiar at times, but the production’s staging and performances lend it a physical immediacy that keeps it from feeling stale or cliché. It lands, no sentimentality or nostalgia necessary, which is a big credit to the actors.

Jonathan Netek, BroadwayWorld: Performance-wise, this touring cast absolutely delivers. Nolan White anchors the production as Ponyboy with the same earnest, compelling presence that C. Thomas Howell brought to the film. Corbin Drew Ross as Sodapop is a delightful surprise after an extended shirtless introduction, his Act II solo reveals a warm, lovely voice, and he brings both humor and heart to the role. Emma Hearn’s Cherry Valance is a welcome presence every time she sings. Bonale Fambrini (Johnny Cade) is wonderful and has great chemistry with Ponyboy. Tyler Jordan Wesley (as Dallas Winston) is menacing and his voice is strong and haunting.

Jeffrey Kare, BroadwayWorld: A good majority of the cast each gives strong performances. Standouts to me were Nolan White as Ponyboy Curtis, Corbin Drew Ross as his brother, Sodapop, and Travis Roy Rogers as his other brother, Darrel (pun intended). I also did quite like Bonale Fambrini as Ponyboy’s Best Friend, Johnny Cade, Tyler Jordan Wesley as fellow greaser Dallas Winston, and Mark Doyle as Bob, the leader of the Socs. The choreography by Rick & Jeff Kuperman is very precised, stylized, and athletic. It’s especially impressive in the big rumble in Act II, where it literally rains on stage.

Average Rating: 81.3%