‘The Outsiders’ Shines Brighter than Gold at The Fisher Theatre
So, where do I even begin with The Outsiders? It was just about an hour after the curtain came down, and as my fingers fly across the keyboard, tears still streaming down my face, I question what it is about this show that impacts me so emotionally. While I read S.E. Hinton’s novel in high school, I didn’t necessarily feel a deep kinship with it at the time. Perhaps I’ve become more sentimental as I’ve aged, which isn’t untrue, as I can cry a lot easier when it comes to shows. You can ask anyone who’s gone to New York City with me; I cry at least once per trip at one show or another. But even so, there’s something about The Outsiders musical that resonates with me more than any show I’ve seen recently.
I thought that maybe on my home turf of The Fisher Theatre, I would be equipped to handle the emotional one-two punch that The Outsiders was about to deliver, especially because I knew what was coming before I even arrived. Unfortunately (in the best way possible), that wasn’t the case, as this musical still emotionally wrecked me as the story of family, both blood and found, was felt in every cell of my being. The North American touring production of The Outsiders captures all the magic of the Broadway production, with a book by Adam Rapp and Justine Levine and music by Jamestown Revival. However, the energy present at The Fisher Theatre was tenfold that of Broadway, as this cast shone brighter than any gold ever could.
[Warning: spoilers from the North American Touring production of The Outsiders are below!]
The Outsiders is all about family
While there are elements of The Outsiders that feel familiar to other stories we’ve heard before, it’s the focus on family and how far we’re willing to go to protect them that sets this musical apart from the rest. Sure, a large part of this show is about the rivalry between the Socs, the affluent teens who live like socialites and reside on one side of town, and the lower-income greasers who live on the other side of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The difference between the two social classes is the catalyst for much of the drama, as the aggression and anger between them push both the Socs and the Greasers to their absolute limits.
As both sides escalate towards destruction, a death occurs that fundamentally shakes the Greasers to their core. With our narrator, Ponyboy, and his best friend Johnny Cade at the center of the events, there’s no easy way out of the all-out war that’s about to take over Tulsa. These differences are the driving force behind everything that occurs in the two acts, but they aren’t the reason the story speaks volumes in just over two hours.
It truly is the exploration of family in The Outsiders that makes this musical so extraordinary. There are plenty of shows that weave this theme throughout their narratives, but The Outsiders juxtaposes the family we’re born into with the family we build as we live. When we first meet with Ponyboy, we’re joining him amidst a significant shift in his family dynamic. Having recently lost his parents to a horrible accident, the Curtis boys are lost and grasping at straws on how to move forward in life.
As the youngest, Ponyboy takes on a dual role in this exploration: he’s the one who is filled with the most hope about the future, but also the one desperately seeking love from anyone who will give it to him. He’s a teenager who just wants something to see him, validate his feelings, and tell him everything is going to be okay. That’s not necessarily something that he believes he can or will receive from his brothers, Darrel or Sodapop, so naturally, he seeks out solace from the local Greasers.
The Greasers might be a group of misfits, but they also aren’t trying to change anyone from being who they are. It’s about accepting one another for who they are, a form of unconditional love that perhaps more of us should exhibit. However, as Ponyboy becomes more ingrained in their way of life, the harder it is to see the love that his siblings, specifically his eldest brother Darrel, have for him.
As this musical progresses and reaches its climax, Ponyboy learns that not only is life complicated, but love looks different for each and everyone. He spends so much of the show conflicting with Darrel, only to discover that his eldest brother is so tough on him because he wants better. Darrel feels trapped by responsibility for his two younger siblings and knows that Ponyboy will be something extraordinary. It’s hard to see that when someone is riding you so hard, especially at a young age, but when he becomes separated from his brothers, Ponyboy learns so much about what matters.
With each loss that he encounters, Ponyboy learns what it means to be family. These are people who are there for you every day, regardless of what happens. Even when they are mad at you, they have your back. They celebrate your victories and lift you up when you’re feeling down. Their love is unconditional, which is exactly why The Outsiders hits so hard. I see myself in these characters. I love my family and friends with my entire heart and soul without question, and would have their backs even if they aren’t in the same room with me.
I also know how it feels to be lost in that, not feeling like everyone loves the same way I give love. I think everyone questions that at one point or another, but The Outsiders reminds us that we’re not alone in this world, as our family will always be there for us at the end of the day. It’s that which is the strongest element of the show, well…except for the extremely talented cast.
The cast of The Outsiders exceeds all great expectations
Again, going into The Outsiders, I thought I knew what to expect, having already seen the show, but I wasn’t prepared for how incredible this North American touring cast is. I know we tend to think of Broadway as the gold standard, but this cast moved me in ways that the one in NYC didn’t.
There’s something special about Nolan White’s Ponyboy, which makes his performance a standout. Ponyboy himself is full of contradictions, which can be difficult to portray, and yet White nails this role with such beauty and rawness. His performance is brimming with raw emotion and beautiful vocals, making Ponyboy a fully formed character rather than one-dimensional.
Travis Roy Rogers brings a warm humanity to Darrel Curtis, which can be a Herculean task. Darrel is rough around the edges, an exposed nerve due to the change in title from brother to caregiver. He feels like he’s failing in every moment, yet knows he can’t stop moving forward, or the family will fall apart. He’s the backbone of the Curtis family, with unbelievable strength. Rogers conveys this strength beautifully, frequently reducing me to tears with just a look or a note.
Sodapop is one of those characters with incredible emotional depth; however, audiences aren’t always attuned to it at first. He’s the cool brother, all muscles and slicked back hair, and the one that Ponyboy seems to idolize. Although just below the surface, he has a heart of gold that is breaking at the dissolution of his family. He cares deeply about his brothers and would go to great lengths to hold them together. There’s such complexity to Sodapop that it takes an actor who has immense talent to pull off the duality inside him, but Corbin Drew Ross does so spectacularly.
Between these three brothers alone, I was weeping from pretty much the start of Act 2 until the end because of their relationship dynamics and the beauty of the tragedy. I was drawn to them because of the strength that resides within the unit, even if it doesn’t become completely clear until the final moments.
However, the emotional impact and the message of family don’t start and stop with the Curtis brothers, as there are two other major players in The Outsiders that are just as impactful. Johnny Cade is Ponyboy’s best friend in the entire world; they literally describe themselves as ride or dies in the show. Wherever Ponyboy goes, Johnny Cade isn’t far behind. However, Johnny’s family life is chaotic in a different way, with an abusive father who is constantly pushing around his mother. Watching his mother go through this, and even being on the receiving end, has stirred up a strong sense of loyalty in him. He’s fierce in his dedication to his friends, which is ultimately where the conflict in The Outsiders stems.
You need someone strong for Johnny Cade, who is capable of balancing the good with the bad in this dynamic character, which Bonale Fambrini does. Fambrini breathes life into Johnny Cade better than I’ve ever seen before, clearly understanding what makes this character both special and essential to the story. There’s no life in The Outsiders without him, and the chemistry between Fambrini and White is one of the key reasons to see this show as many times as you can. Where I didn’t resonate with Johnny Cade when I saw The Outsiders on Broadway, Fambrini’s performance hit every emotion available, reducing me to a puddle of tears by the end.
The same can, and should be, said for Tyler Jordan Wesley’s performance as Dallas Winston. When I saw the show in NYC, he was a rough-and-tumble guy who seemed to hold firm to that until the end. However, Wesley has infused Dallas with a softer side. He’s still rough and potentially intimidating, but you also see the side of him who cares so deeply for the Greasers and is even responsible for what happens to their lives. He’s a makeshift father, who many of them crave a strong male presence, and Wesley has struck a balance between all sides of that role. He makes you feel every valley and hill of Dallas’ emotions as he journeys through life with these boys, which is something that should be praised.
Final thoughts on the North American touring production of The Outsiders
I have seen a lot of Broadway shows both here in Michigan and also in New York City, but there’s something special about The Outsiders. With music that will get stuck in your head and choreography that is a wonder to watch, there’s so much to appreciate about the show. However, it’s the message about family and bonds we make along the way that truly speaks to my soul. The Outsiders is one of the strongest Broadway shows currently running, as this is a must-see production that will make you cry, bring you peace, and hold your loved ones just a little bit closer.
The Outsiders runs at the Fisher Theatre through March 15th, so get your tickets from ATG Detroit! Check out The Outsiders’ website to see when it’s arriving in a city near you! Have you seen The Outsiders? What did you think of the musical? Share your thoughts on social media and tag @bsb.insider to continue the conversation!
Exclusive Interview: Nolan White of The Outsiders
