The Outsiders, a coming of age tale, takes place in 1967 Tulsa and is based on the book by SE Hinton, published when she was just 18 and the 1983 Francis Ford Coppola film. The story is about a clash between the greasers (who live on Tulsa’s east side) and the socs (society teens who live on the west side) with themes of class warfare and violence that run through the musical.
So I didn’t love it, but the audience did and gave it a standing ovation. Plus the show was nominated for 12 Tonys and won four including best musical for 2024 and Danya Taymor for best director.
One scene sealed the award for Taymor.
In the second act rumble scene in the park the rainstorm — was it real water or a projection? The actors weren’t getting wet. Wait. Some of them are. But the dancing. How are they not slipping and sliding all over the stage? And where is all that water going? Or is it an illusion?
However it was done, it was brilliant.
And received an ovation. I’ve seen ovations for imaginative choreography, but never for a fight scene and a thunderstorm.
You know how sometimes you walk out of a hit musical humming the songs? After the show people were humming — or discussing and raving about — this one scene.
Another scene is memorable for its effects as well — a fire that burns down the church where Ponyboy is hiding. The flames look real and the destruction is completely believable.
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.
The Outsiders is presented by Broadway Dallas and runs through Nov. 16 at the Music Hall at Fair Park.
— David Taffet
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