“The Outsiders” – even better the second time! Al Bresloff / 2nd review by Frank Meccia

The Outsiders: A Musical That Gets Better the Second Time Around

Reviewed by: Frank Meccia

*****/*****  5/5

When I walked into the Cadillac Palace Theatre on Tuesday night to see The Outsiders, I completely forgot that I had already seen this musical when it came through Chicago on its first national tour. It took me about five minutes into the performance to suddenly realize, Wait a minute—I’ve seen this before!

And I have to admit, sometimes time really does wonders for a show.

Seeing The Outsiders again, I was struck by just how much stronger and more polished the production felt. The acting was smart, classy, and easy to follow. The singing was excellent. And, most importantly, I either completely missed it the first time or simply didn’t appreciate it enough—the choreography is outstanding.

Under the direction of Danya Taymor, this two-and-a-half-hour production moves beautifully. It never feels rushed, but it never drags, either. Every scene seems to have its proper place, and the story builds naturally toward its powerful conclusion.

But what really makes The Outsiders work, beyond its superb cast, is the way every technical element comes together.

The scenic design—credited as scenography—for the Broadway production and national tour was created by Tatiana Kahvegian, Brett Bankis and Christine Jones. Rather than simply creating a traditional stage set, they have created a collage of objects, structures and visual elements that come together to form the world of the story.

And it isn’t just the physical scenery. The projections, special effects and lighting all have to work together to create the illusion the audience sees. Lighting designer Brian Macdevitt plays a huge role in that process. The stage constantly transforms, and you almost forget that what you’re watching is a carefully constructed theatrical environment.

The technical and choreographic highlight of the production is the outdoor fight scene in the rain. It is spectacular. The combination of rain, lighting, special effects, choreography and almost stop-motion-like movement creates a sequence that is unlike anything you normally see in a musical.

That scene belongs to choreographers Rick and Jeff Kuperman, along with Fight Captain Sebastian Martinez. The choreography doesn’t simply make the fight look exciting—it tells the story through movement. You can feel the anger, fear and desperation of these young men.

And that brings us to the story.

The Outsiders is based on the classic 1967 novel by S.E. Hinton. The musical, with a book by Adam Rapp and Justin Levine and music and lyrics by Justin Levine and Jonathan Clay, tells the story of Ponyboy Curtis, a 14-year-old high school sophomore growing up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the early 1960s.

Ponyboy, played by Nolan White, is a member of a street gang known as the Greasers. Their rivals are the Socs—short for Socials—the wealthy kids who live on the other side of town.

Ponyboy has already experienced more loss than most 14-year-olds. After losing his parents in a car accident, he is being raised by his two older brothers.

Sodapop, played by Corbin Drew Ross, is the middle brother—the one who seems to understand Ponyboy and can still connect with him on his level. Darrel, the oldest, is played by Travis Roy Rogers. Darrel has had to grow up quickly. He has given up much of his own life to keep the family together. He works, takes care of the house, cooks, does the laundry and tries to be both a brother and a parent to Ponyboy.

Rogers has a terrific singing voice, but what really stands out is the emotion behind his performance. You can feel Darrel’s struggle. Part of him wants to leave, escape and have a life of his own, while another part knows he has a responsibility to keep his family together.

Ponyboy is, in many ways, your typical 14-year-old. He likes movies. He likes writing. He dreams. And he doesn’t always think before he acts.

His best friend is Johnny, another dreamer who sees the world differently. But Johnny’s home life is anything but safe. He lives with an abusive, alcoholic father who beats his mother. Johnny finds a kind of family and protection among the Greasers that he doesn’t have at home.

Then there is Dallas “Dally” Winston, played by Tyler Jordan Wesley. Dally is the tough leader of the Greasers, but beneath that toughness is someone who has essentially lost his own family. He treats the Greasers as his family and especially looks out for Ponyboy and Johnny.

Things take a tragic turn when Ponyboy and Johnny become involved in an encounter with the Socs. Bob, played by Andrew Cekala, attempts to drown Ponyboy, and Johnny intervenes, ultimately killing Bob.

From that point forward, everything changes.

Ponyboy’s tendency to get himself into trouble has already put him in danger by entering areas controlled by the Socs. At a drive-in, he meets Cherry, played by Emma Hearn, who happens to be Bob’s girlfriend. Their conversation is an important reminder that the two sides aren’t necessarily as different as they believe they are.

And eventually, everything leads to the major confrontation between the Greasers and the Socs.

This is where the production’s choreography, fight direction and technical design come together in one extraordinary sequence.

I have to admit something else: I never read the book.

Apparently, I am one of the few people who can say that. Almost everyone I spoke with who was under 35 told me they read The Outsiders in school. S.E. Hinton was only a teenager herself when she wrote the novel, which makes the accomplishment even more remarkable. She created a story about teenage boys, violence, class differences, family, friendship and growing up that has continued to resonate with generations of readers.

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about The Outsiders is that although the story takes place more than 60 years ago, the emotions don’t feel old-fashioned. The desire to belong, the need for family, the fear of being alone, the pressure to be tough and the struggle to figure out who you are are things that teenagers—and adults—still understand.

And maybe that’s why this musical works so well.

The Outsiders isn’t simply a story about two gangs fighting in Tulsa. It’s about young people trying to find their place in a world that doesn’t always give them much of a chance.

After seeing the show for a second time, I can honestly say I appreciated it much more than I did the first time around. The cast is excellent, the singing is terrific, the acting is believable, and the choreography is some of the most impressive I’ve seen in a musical.

Add the scenic design, projections, lighting and special effects, and you have a production where virtually every element works together.

All in all, The Outsiders is an excellent musical and one that can be enjoyed by audiences of all ages.

So, if you’re looking for something to do this week—or something to see after the Chicago Air and Water Show this weekend—check out The Outsiders.

You may know the story. You may have read the book in school. You may even have seen the musical before.

But, like me, you might be surprised by how much better it looks the second time around.