The Outsiders

The Outsiders on Broadway Background

SE Hinton's Original 1967 Novel

The show is based on S.E. Hinton's original 1967 novel. S.E. Hinton began writing the novel when she was just 15 years old, and it was published when she was 18. The book has since become a classic of young adult literature and has been widely read and studied in schools and libraries around the world.

Francis Ford Coppola's 1983 Coming-Of-Age Crime Drama

The 1983 Coppola film of the same name, featured a Who’s Who of up-and-coming ’80s actors, including C. Thomas Howell, Ralph Macchio, Matt Dillon, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe and Emilio Estevez.

The Musical Had World Premiere At La Jolla Playhouse in 2023

The Outsidershad its world premiere at La Jolla Playhouse in 2023. The musical played at the La Jolla Playhouse’s Mandell Weiss Theatre where it ran from Feb. 19 to April 9, 2023, where it had 92 performances.

Critical Response

The show, which uses folk-rock sound to convey the story along, comes a heavy narrative, where critics described it as "a thrilling mess". The musical also manages the trick of maintaining "one foot in 1967 Tulsa and one foot in a neutral contemporary reality"

Angelina Jolie Joins The Show as Lead Producer

The award-winning actress, director and producer, Angeline Jolie, joined the musical as a lead producer on August 1, 2023. This ensured that the show would be able to get onto the often-tricky Broadway stages, where theatre landlords want to see some celebrity backing to drive ticket sales.

The Broadway show comes as Jolie has finally ended her long-running, very-public divorce feud with Brad Pitt that has damaged both of their reputations and put both of their credibilities into question.

Themes Of Class Conflict

The show explores themes of class conflict, identity, friendship, and the challenges of growing up. As the two main characters are on the run, they form deep connections with other people, face personal hardships, and confront their own perceptions of the world.

The show ultimately deals with the idea that people are more alike than they are different, regardless of their social backgrounds.

What's The Outsiders Like?

Two rival groups, the Greasers and the Socs, come from different socio-economic backgrounds. The Greasers are working-class teenagers, while the Socs are wealthier and more privileged. Ponyboy Curtis, is a young Greaser who describes the struggles and conflicts between the two groups.

The main plot revolves around the tensions and violence that arise between the Greasers and the Socs, leading to tragic events. After a Socs-Greasers fight escalates, resulting in the death of a Soc member, Ponyboy and his friend Johnny are forced to go on the run to avoid being arrested.

Is The Outsiders Good for Kids?

The Outsiders show is considered a teenage classic because of its connection to the original book. The young-adult novel is frequently taught in middle and high school English classes as it addresses important themes such as friendship, loyalty, identity, social class, and the challenges of growing up.

Mature Themes and Violence

The show contains some mature themes and instances of violence.

While The Outsiders is generally appropriate for teenagers, its suitability for kids depends on their maturity level, reading comprehension, and sensitivity to certain topics. Parents and educators should consider the individual child's readiness to engage with the content and be prepared to have discussions about the themes and events depicted in the show.

Other Considerations

This musical includes strong language, smoking, simulated violence, strobe and water-based atmospheric effects. The Outsiders novel is widely studied in middle schools in 6th to 8th grade, and includes some adult themes. In line with this, this production is recommended for people aged 11-14 years and over.