The Outsiders Touring Reviews

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 … th...

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.

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 remi...

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.

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 wor...

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.

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 rea...

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.

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...

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.

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...

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.

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...

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.

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 ...

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.

Under the exquisite Direction of Danya Taymor, Susie Hinton’s subliminal novel takes on new life, and is produced in such an exquisite manner that it might just be the finest musical to grace a stage format to date. From the dynamic choreography, t...

Under the exquisite Direction of Danya Taymor, Susie Hinton’s subliminal novel takes on new life, and is produced in such an exquisite manner that it might just be the finest musical to grace a stage format to date. From the dynamic choreography, to the use of the stage and every level of the set, you feel 1000% a part of the story, and the wild ride is something not seen in recent years.

Leading a list of superlative performances is Nolan White as Ponyboy. His performance balances the charismatic with the restrained as he brings an inner angst to a character struggling to escape the trappings of society that have inhibited others tha...

Leading a list of superlative performances is Nolan White as Ponyboy. His performance balances the charismatic with the restrained as he brings an inner angst to a character struggling to escape the trappings of society that have inhibited others that he knows. As a singer, White shines on several numbers, including “I Could Talk To You All Night” and “Stay Gold.”

But as good as Adam Rapp’s book is at capturing the striated inertia of Hinton’s Tulsa, the propulsive electricity of The Outsiders comes from its score and the flair of Rick & Jeff Kuperman’s jagged choreography. Even this isn’t enough for T...

But as good as Adam Rapp’s book is at capturing the striated inertia of Hinton’s Tulsa, the propulsive electricity of The Outsiders comes from its score and the flair of Rick & Jeff Kuperman’s jagged choreography. Even this isn’t enough for Taymor. The hoofers send up bursts of plastic pellets from the floor, and the climactic rumble between the gangs brings down storm showers from above.

THE OUTSIDERS is a beautiful homage to boyhood and friendship. Of course, the show has a clear focus on Greaser friendships on the whole. But I think this touring cast particularly nails the brotherly love — and friction — between Ponyboy, Sodapo...

THE OUTSIDERS is a beautiful homage to boyhood and friendship. Of course, the show has a clear focus on Greaser friendships on the whole. But I think this touring cast particularly nails the brotherly love — and friction — between Ponyboy, Sodapop, and Darryl. Rogers has a rich singing voice, and he captures Darryl’s deep frustration nicely. Ross has engaging comedic timing as Sodapop — he brings a nice sprightlyness to the character. And when he sings “Soda’s Letter” in the second act, he also shows off his a buttery voice.

Taymor’s cast fires on all cylinders. White captures Ponyboy’s vulnerability and intelligence, as well as the swagger of a teenager coming into his own. Fambrini’s Johnny is a soft-spoken dreamer who can recite Robert Frost poetry and wield a b...

Taymor’s cast fires on all cylinders. White captures Ponyboy’s vulnerability and intelligence, as well as the swagger of a teenager coming into his own. Fambrini’s Johnny is a soft-spoken dreamer who can recite Robert Frost poetry and wield a blade with equal impact. Hearn’s Cherry is conflicted and entitled, her complex character evolution believable and empathetic.

The touring cast certainly lives up to all the requirements of the piece, from their macho good looks to their inner sensitivity (or so it seems) to the quality of their voices. I suspect many in the audience will have different favorites, but Nolan ...

The touring cast certainly lives up to all the requirements of the piece, from their macho good looks to their inner sensitivity (or so it seems) to the quality of their voices. I suspect many in the audience will have different favorites, but Nolan White is an especially fine Ponyboy Curtis and Bonale Fambrini a most appealing Johnny Cade. If you know the book, you’ll know that Sodapop Curtis, as selfless as the day is long, is the moral conscience of the story, the one who tells the others what actions matter the most and although Corbin Drew Ross does not get to throw himself around the stage as vividly and dramatic as many of his colleagues, he captures what I think mattered most to Hinton when she wrote this story, and also what matters most to this show.

There is a moment in the show that to me makes it worth the ticket price alone, and that is the rumble. With Taymor's direction and the use of soundscapes by Cody Spencer, lighting by Hana S.Kim and Brian MacDevitt, and movement by Jeff Kuperman and ...

There is a moment in the show that to me makes it worth the ticket price alone, and that is the rumble. With Taymor's direction and the use of soundscapes by Cody Spencer, lighting by Hana S.Kim and Brian MacDevitt, and movement by Jeff Kuperman and Rick Kuperman, it's a standout moment that people leaving the theatre won't soon forget.

The musical adaptation, with book by Adam Rapp and Justin Levine and songs by Jonathan Clay, Zach Chance, and Levine, leans into that emotional core while also deploying some of the most gobsmacking stagecraft I have ever seen. There are moments, of ...

The musical adaptation, with book by Adam Rapp and Justin Levine and songs by Jonathan Clay, Zach Chance, and Levine, leans into that emotional core while also deploying some of the most gobsmacking stagecraft I have ever seen. There are moments, of course, when the production struggles to justify its existence beyond the obvious commercial appeal of adapting a beloved property, and you can occasionally sense it straining to prove that these characters need to sing rather than simply speak. Yet when it finds its rhythm, it truly fires on all cylinders, propelled by an electric cast that imbues these familiar figures with bruised pride, stubborn loyalty, and a palpable sense of perseverance.

“The Outsiders'” staging turns a little into a lot as the cast deftly moves props around to create a variety of settings, from a park to a drive-in movie theater. Choreographers Rich and Jeff Kuperman, meanwhile, have crafted a wholly original ap...

“The Outsiders'” staging turns a little into a lot as the cast deftly moves props around to create a variety of settings, from a park to a drive-in movie theater. Choreographers Rich and Jeff Kuperman, meanwhile, have crafted a wholly original approach using movement more than conventional dance, as well as slow-motion and lighting effects; the fight scenes in particular — none moreso than the climatic Act II rumble — are visceral ballets that land like any of the punches and kicks being thrown during them.

But the script by Adam Rapp, written with Justin Levine, consistently veers toward generic tropes. The Greasers pose, they proclaim, they pontificate, they quarrel histrionically, they pledge undying devotion, but their bonds don't feel real. Charact...

But the script by Adam Rapp, written with Justin Levine, consistently veers toward generic tropes. The Greasers pose, they proclaim, they pontificate, they quarrel histrionically, they pledge undying devotion, but their bonds don't feel real. Characters are barely sketched, motivations are barely explained, the backgrounds of relationships are left murky, and the stakes consequently remain low.

“The Outsiders” works as well as it does due to the efforts of the creative team in establishing a cruel world where violence often takes the place of open dialogue. Seeing the ways the rich kids demean and threaten the poor kids can be disturbin...

“The Outsiders” works as well as it does due to the efforts of the creative team in establishing a cruel world where violence often takes the place of open dialogue. Seeing the ways the rich kids demean and threaten the poor kids can be disturbing to watch. There is some intense violence in this show which really underscores the dangers teenagers can experience.

Despite set in the 1960's, The Outsiders could just as well be set in the now. Teenagers rebelling?? Check! Hard to find your place in this world? Huge check! It's a timeless story filled with incredible talent, a stunning stage set, phenomenal ...

Despite set in the 1960's, The Outsiders could just as well be set in the now. Teenagers rebelling?? Check! Hard to find your place in this world? Huge check! It's a timeless story filled with incredible talent, a stunning stage set, phenomenal effects-the rain scene is just amazing. The Outsiders may just hit all right notes and I strongly encourage all of you to bring your teens along, no matter how much of a pain they are-chances are they've felt what they will see on stage and this musical could deeply impact them as well.

Not only is the visual and auditory presentation exquisite, but the story is heartfelt; it’s one of loss and prejudice, longing and ambition, violence and poverty, brotherhood and belonging. The folk-inspired music taps into a rich emotional vein�...

Not only is the visual and auditory presentation exquisite, but the story is heartfelt; it’s one of loss and prejudice, longing and ambition, violence and poverty, brotherhood and belonging. The folk-inspired music taps into a rich emotional vein–utilizing harmonization to its utmost power. All of which is performed by impeccable talent.

By and large, the songs, by Jamestown Revival members Jonathan Clay, Zach Chance and Levine, may not stick with you long after seeing the show, but they serve the story very well. “Run Run Brother,” led by Dally and featuring Ponyboy and Johnny, ...

By and large, the songs, by Jamestown Revival members Jonathan Clay, Zach Chance and Levine, may not stick with you long after seeing the show, but they serve the story very well. “Run Run Brother,” led by Dally and featuring Ponyboy and Johnny, serves as an impactful end to the first act, while the two most powerful numbers — Dally’s “Little Brother” and the touching “Stay Gold,” which ultimately becomes a duet between Johnny and Ponyboy — come very late in the affair, which isn’t the norm but is very welcome.

Decades after Hinton’s novel became required reading and Coppola’s film introduced the Brat Pack, the musical is a reminder of the enduring power of “The Outsiders.” With a book by Adam Rapp and Justin Levine, the show relies on nostalgia and...

Decades after Hinton’s novel became required reading and Coppola’s film introduced the Brat Pack, the musical is a reminder of the enduring power of “The Outsiders.” With a book by Adam Rapp and Justin Levine, the show relies on nostalgia and familiar archetypes to tell an uplifting coming-of-age story about rising above your station in life while staying true to yourself.