‘The Outsiders’: Intense adaptation of classic

‘The Outsiders’: Sky Lakota-Lynch & Joshua Boone. Photo: Matthew Murphy.

THE OUTSIDERS
Based on the novel by S. E. Hinton

Book by Adam Rapp with Justin Levine
Music & lyrics by Jamestown Revival (Jonathan Clay & Zach Chance) & Justin Levine
Choreography by Rick Kuperman & Jeff Kuperman
Directed by Danya Taymor
Bernard Jacobs Theatre
242 West 45th Street
(212-239-6200), www.OutsidersMusical.com

By David NouNou

Intense would be the appropriate word to summarize The Outsiders. Not having read the 1967 novel by S. E. Hinton, or seen the 1983 Francis Ford Coppola movie of the same name, I didn’t want to make any comparisons to previous incarnations but strictly base it on its own merits as a musical.

Set in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1967, the story is told through the eyes of Ponyboy Curtis (Brody Grant), writing what he experiences that summer with his “Greaser” friends, and the rich kids of Tulsa, “The Socs” (short for “socials”). Ponyboy lives with his two older brothers: Darrell Curtis (Brent Comer), the head of the household now, and his middle brother, Sodapop (Jason Schmidt). Their parents both died by crashing into a moving train, and all the responsibility from raising his two brothers and making the money all befalls on Darrell.

The “Greaser” family also consists of two major friends: Dallas Winston (Joshua Booth) and Johnny Cade (Sky Lakota Lynch), who is Ponyboy’s best friend. Dallas is an outsider and more of a brother, protector, and friend to both Ponyboy and Johnny and he genuinely cares for them.

This brings us to the “Socs” who are the rich kids from the right side of the tracks. They are constantly picking on and terrorizing the greasers for entering into their parks and movie theaters. With the exception of Cherry Valance (Emma Pittman)— who crosses that line one night and engages in a conversation with Ponyboy—they find out they both share the same problems, it’s not easy to be rich and it’s not easy to be poor. This is, of course, noticed by the other “Socs” and ultimately results into a rumble and an ultimate death.

At this point, I couldn’t help but notice that I was watching some form of West Side Story set in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Instead of the Jets and the Sharks, you have “Socs” against “Greasers” fighting for who gets to keep the turf. Instead of Tony and Maria at a dance, you have Ponyboy and Cherry at a movie house. There is the rumble that is supposed to be a clean fight, but ends up with the gory blood and guts brawl in slow motion in this inexplicable rain storm, and ultimately someone gets stabbed and dies. West Side Story was groundbreaking, heart-pounding and brilliant in every way. The Outsiders, as the title implies, focuses on outsiders wanting a better life and a better place to fit in without being bullied.

Creators Adam Rapp and Justin Levine have written a solid book, but it could have used some editing since it becomes repetitious at times. However, on the plus side there is a haunting and pleasing score by Jamestown Revival (Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance) and Justine Levine.

This is an ensemble cast. However, there are four standout performances, most notably from Joshua Boone as Dallas Winston. His voice, performance and stage presence are a force with which to be reckoned. Sky Lakota-Lynch, as Johnny Cade, gives a heartbreakingly genuine performance and both performances deserve nominations for this year’s Tony Awards. Brent Comer as older brother Darrel and Joshua Schmidt as middle brother Sodapop make their presences felt through their strong voices and compelling performances.

Although Brody Grant has a mellifluous singing voice for Ponyboy, he sometimes lacks the stage presence to carry the whole show on his shoulders because the role is enormous. He is overshadowed by the four previously mentioned actors. Director Danya Taymor should have edited the show in certain scenes to make the narrative more focused and also strengthen Mr. Grant’s performance.

As stated earlier, the show is intense and if you enjoy seeing something outside your comfort zone, this is the ticket for you.

Edited by Scott Harrah
Published April 19, 2024
Reviewed at April 18, 2024 press performance

‘THE OUTSIDERS’: (top row) Barton Cowperthwaite, Dan Berry, RJ Higton, Kevin William Paul, Emma Pittman, Melody Rose; (front row) Sean Harrison Jones. Photo: Matthew Murphy.

‘THE OUTSIDERS’: The cast. Photo: Matthew Murphy.

‘THE OUTSIDERS’: Emma Pittman & Brody Grant. Photo: Matthew Murphy.

‘THE OUTSIDERS’: The cast. Photo: Matthew Murphy.

‘THE OUTSIDERS’: The cast. Photo: Matthew Murphy.