By Beth Ceriello
Often you may find me in New York City attending a Broadway show. There is something about being engulfed in live music, bright lights and being in the presence of talented performers on the stage.
“The Outsiders,” a new Broadway musical that opened on April 11, 2024, encompasses middle school nostalgia of S.E Hinton’s 1967 book. Going into the show, having read the book and seeing the movie, the Broadway musical far exceeded my expectations. If you're looking for a show that encompasses strides through tough times and the power of friendships, this musical is for you.
Ponyboy, the protagonist, goes through love, loss and acceptance of his life, knowing that he is the one in control of his life goals. A story further illustrates the life of the Curtis Brothers, Darrel and Sodapop, who were recently orphaned from a car accident that killed their parents, and being a part of the Greasers on the lower end of society, with the Socs, who are the rich kids, being at odds.
The story focuses on the friendship of Ponyboy Curtis and Johnny Cade, two Greasers, being best friends since they met. They extend their friendship to Dallas Winston, who would do anything for his two friends, especially Johnny. It isn’t until Ponyboy meets Cherry Valance, a female Soc, when he realizes that the Greasers and Socs aren't all that different. With their difficulties of being able to express this to their sides of society, conflict further ensues between the two parties further developing Ponyboy’s thoughts and realizations on life.
Mesmerizing is one of the significant attributes when it comes to the set design. From the stage, being full of gravel and watching the ground move with the cast. Incorporating fire to perfectly execute a scene depicted in the book, at a church where Ponyboy and Johnny end up when they felt they needed to leave home. Or when watching the scene where the Greasers and Socs battle for their stance in their divided town being drenched in rain, which actually came from the poured on the stage. Incorporating the set helped in transporting yourself into the book, creating a visualizing dynamic to convey the emotions and the tensions within each scene.
“The Outsiders” left me feeling so empathetic for the Greasers, especially as the show ends with the mended relationship of the Curtis brothers. Being that for most of the actors this was their Broadway debuts, they truly are rising stars. After the loss of friends and the understanding of what his brothers were going through to ensure his success in the future, Ponyboy realizes he still has more to give and accomplish in his future. This musical truly exemplifies what it’s like to be at a Broadway show, leaving me with all the emotions with the flavor of dancing, singing and true passion from the cast really embodying what they are putting on the stage.