Orange County is welcoming a Tony Award-winning production as “The Outsiders” musical opened recently at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, running through November 1.
The musical draws from S. E. Hinton's young adult novel, a classic coming-of-age story that continues to be taught in Orange County schools. Although set in 1960s Tulsa, Oklahoma, the book's themes of social isolation resonate with young people across decades. Hinton penned the novel as a teenager and later wrote other young adult stories, including “Rumble Fish” and “Tex.”
“The Outsiders” was previously adapted into a 1983 feature film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, which featured a notable cast including Matt Dillion, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, Tom Cruise, Emilio Estevez, and Diane Lane. Despite the star power, the film received somewhat mixed reviews. In contrast, the musical adaptation has been met with significant enthusiasm, opening on Broadway in April 2024 and securing four Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
The stage production features a book by Adam Rapp and Justin Levine, with music and lyrics also by Jamestown Reviva and Levine. Danya Taymor directs the show, while Rick Kuperman and Jeff Kuperman are responsible for the choreography.
Nolan White stars as Ponyboy Curtis, alongside Bonale Fambrini as Johnny Cade. The story unfolds in 1967 Oklahoma, where Ponyboy, Johnny, and their greaser gang find themselves defending against the affluent Socs from the wealthier side of town. A star-crossed romance develops between Ponyboy and Soc Cherry Valance, leading the boys to unite and embark on a tragic journey.
The musical incorporates elements from Coppola’s film, particularly for the rumble in the rain scene, where actors appear to get muddy and bloody. The choreography by the Kupermans combines dance and combat for this intense scene, which features 100 gallons of water falling onto the stage. As the greasers on stage perform “Grease Got a Hold,” Segerstrom’s Broadway Donation Drive, in partnership with the Orangewood Foundation, aims to collect laundry supplies. This initiative, called “SodaPop’s Suds Drive,” is gathering laundry detergent, pods, dryer sheets, and lint rollers in designated bins on the Plaza and Orchestra levels.
With just 16 performances scheduled, the limited run of “The Outsiders” is expected to introduce a new generation of teenagers to Hinton’s enduring story. Tickets, starting at $49.01, are available at scfta.org for performances at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, located at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa.
