The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton, is a classic that is honestly my favorite book that we’ve read in class. When I found out we’d be getting the chance to see the Tony Award winning musical version at The Jacobs Theater on Broadway, I signed up as soon as possible.

There were so many things I absolutely loved, but there were also a few details that I didn’t like.   

My favorite part of the show had to be the music. It is still stuck in my head on repeat. All of the actors and actresses are so talented, and Brody Grant’s (Ponyboy) voice is very powerful and addicting. When he was singing, I did not want him to stop. He is so good in “Great Expectations“; his tune is amazing.  

Also one of my favorite parts of the play was all of the special effects and choreography. I loved the rumble scene; the rain was absolutely mind-blowing and the shadows on the dirt were mesmerizing. I loved how the actors were in diagonal lines and punching each other in rhythm.

I even loved the church fire scene with real fire!  I actually felt the theater becoming hot.

I also liked when Ponyboy was talking to us, and we could hear his thoughts while the spotlight was on him and the rest of the scene was slow-mo and darker. 

One of my favorite scenes is Darry crashing out and letting everything out on Ponyboy. That scene just felt very raw, and made me feel for Darry’s character. I also loved when Darry slapped Ponyboy, and it went slow and dark, and – mid slap – Pony said, “Darry’s never hit me before.”  I just thought that was really cool.

Warning: SPOILERS!

Though most of the musical was mind-blowing and amazing, there were some parts that I didn’t particularly like. For example, I didn’t love how rushed it felt at the most important parts. The running away, fight, church scenes, the rumble, the hospital, Dally dying… it just felt a little hurried.

Furthermore, I did not like how Dally died. He died by stepping in front of a train and, although that felt more direct, it did not have as much depth as him getting the cops to kill him. I definitely did not like that part. 

Additionally, I didn’t like how Steve had no part, there is no mention of Sandy, there’s a new character, and not much of Randy. The nameless girl greaser definitely had a lot of talent, but didn’t feel necessary. I don’t think I heard Steve once, and Soda didn’t talk about Sandy. I was a little surprised that Randy didn’t have a bigger role because, in the book, Randy and Ponyboy sort of become friends and that was not mentioned.

The Outsiders was honestly amazing, and I would definitely recommend it, and go back to see it again, but there are some things that I would fix.  I was not disappointed.

All in all, it was a great experience and met my expectations.

Photo by Brett Cotton