The Outsiders

"When I stepped out into the bright sunshine, from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind, Paul Newman and a ride home." This iconic line is how Susan Eloise Hinton began her journey of sharing her life as a teen, which began as a novel, then became a famous movie, and is now a popular play, known as The Outsiders. Known as S.E. Hinton, a name she used because publishers worried male book reviewers wouldn't take a story about gang violence seriously if they knew a teenage girl had written "The Outsiders" while still in high school. She wasn't actually looking to be a writer; she wanted to express her frustration growing up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Hinton comments that she wrote the book at the right time, writing what she felt at the tender age of 16, and that it displays the raw emotions and her feelings of worldly injustice as a teen, which still resonate with audiences today. In her 1967 New York Times article "Teen-Agers Are for Real," she criticized the unrealistic portrayal of adolescent life and wrote The Outsiders based on a real-life incident at her school, in which a friend was beaten up for being a "Greaser." The heart of the narrative reveals a brother's journey about family and the strength found in those who unite, even when they lack a family to support them. A century later, the powerful themes she penned still resonate today.

The novel examines societal change through the experiences of youth who feel like outsiders. Through vivid characterizations and storytelling, the play is set against the backdrop of 1960s Oklahoma, following Ponyboy Curtis, his brothers, Darrel and Sodapop, and a tight-knit group of friends as they confront issues of class division, loyalty, and the rugged journey of adolescence while searching for their own identities. ​The subplot story centers on the "Greasers," a tough, poverty-stricken, outcast group of teenagers who are constantly at odds with the "Socs" (short for Socials), the wealthy kids from the other side of town.  The play's slow, deliberate pace, which allows the audience to learn about each character, frames the backdrop for the upcoming tension, which occurs when Cherry Valance, a member of the Socs, is caught in conversation with Ponyboy Curtis. This ignites jealousy in her boyfriend, Bob, who furiously confronts Ponyboy. In a brutal showdown, a gang of Socs ambushes Ponyboy and his loyal friend, Johnny Cade. In a frantic attempt to save Ponyboy from being drowned, Johnny fatally wounds Bob, killing him. Fearing being put in jail and retribution from the Socs, the two boys reach out to Dallas, the leader of the Greasers, who instructs them to flee to an abandoned church and wait for further instructions. When a raging fire breaks out at the church, Johnny and Ponyboy risk their lives to save trapped children, turning from juvenile delinquents into local heroes.

The 25-member cast pulsates with electrifying energy, feels intensely alive, rhythmic, and vibrating with a palpable, driving force that connects the actors to the audience. Nolan White embodies Ponyboy with an authenticity that brings S.E. Hinton's vision to life, allowing the audience to connect deeply with his journey and struggles. The brothers, played by Travis Roy Rogers (Darrel) and Corbin Drew Ross (Sodapop), solidify the bonds of brotherhood and family, and Bonale Fambrini (Johnny Cade) embodies the special bond of friendship that emerges from shared struggles and the hardships of poverty. Tyler Jordan Wesley was outstanding as Dallas Winston (Dally). His hardened demeanor hides the frail person who seeks acceptance, friendships, and, above all, a sense of family. Nolan White breathes life into Ponyboy with an authenticity that captures S.E. Hinton's intricate vision for this young protagonist. His performance invites young and old alike to connect intimately with Ponyboy's turbulent journey and struggles. His brothers, played by Travis Roy Rogers as Darrel and Corbin Drew Ross as Sodapop, beautifully emphasize the unbreakable bonds of brotherhood and the significance of family love and loyalty, staying together after losing their parents. Bonale Fambrini delivers a heartfelt performance as Johnny Cade, Phonyboy's best friend, who shares in the adversities and harsh realities of poverty. Tyler Jordan Wesley was outstanding as Dallas Winston (Dally), showcasing a tough exterior that conceals a vulnerable need for acceptance, companionship, and, above all, the warmth of a true family. "The Outsiders," an iconic literary work reimagined as a unique stage production, is a widely acclaimed novel often included in middle and high school curricula. As a child in the early 60s, I missed out on reading this book; something most children of my era, considered outsiders known as project kids, wouldn't have the fortune of having in our curriculum. Therefore, I was pleased to encounter a vibrant group of African-American students excited to experience the stage adaptation of a story they had read in the book. S.E. Hinton's story of how violence and poverty force children to grow up too fast is still an influential read for today's children.

S.E. Hinton reveals that it was after encountering Robert Frost's poignant poem "Nothing Gold Can Stay" in a magazine that she recognized its profound exploration of the fleeting nature of perfection, blended with her as she wrote The Outsiders, she decided to weave the poem into her narrative. ​It's no surprise that Hinton, born, raised, and still living in Oklahoma, would feature a folk- and bluegrass-inspired score, as the history of American folk music is part of Oklahoma's history, which blends into each scene perfectly. The music and lyrics by Jamestown Revival (Jonathan Clay & Zach Chance) and Justin Levine truly reflect the vibrant, powerful folk sound, and the choreography by Nancy Renee Braun, assisted by Kristen Carcone and Tilly Evans-Krueger, is outstanding. If you were sitting close to the stage, you would get a sense of the play during scenes such as the intense, choreographed rumble, as we feel the small rocks and water spray out into the audience. It came as a shock, but it worked, pulling the audience closer into the drama.

I have often harped on the inadequate acoustics at venues like Cadillac Place, James M. Nederlander, and CIBC, which host Broadway in Chicago productions, noting that it often robs audiences of the full experience of the powerful singing and captivating songs that define these extraordinary performances. However, last night was a delightful surprise. The sound was spectacular, allowing the audience to hear the rich vocals and songs in this musical, directed by Remy Kurs, Matt Hinkley, and Kristy Norter.

Hinton stated that she wrote The Outsiders because she wanted to read it, and I recommend you buy a ticket to this play, because you definitely want to see it.

Cadillac Palace

The Outsiders: A New Musical

Book by Adam Rapp with Justin Levine

Music and lyrics by Jamestown Revival (Jonathan Clay & Zach Chance) and Justin Levine

Based on the book by S.E. Hinton

and Francis Ford Coppola's Motion Picture

Directed by Danya Taymor

Feb 10 – Feb 22, 2026

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