A new musical telling an old story, The Outsiders has come to Rhode Island, bringing heartfelt characters, memorable musical numbers, and incredible choreography to Providence for the first time. The show, which debuted on Broadway in 2023, is a musical retelling of the classic 1967 novel of the same name.
If you are unfamiliar with the story, it follows Ponyboy Curtis (played by Nolan White), a fourteen-year-old from 1960’s Oklahoma, as he navigates the class conflict and violence in a city divided into two rival gangs. Ponyboy is one of the Greasers, the gang from the less fortunate side of town that are known for greasing their hair back. Their rivals: the Socs, who live on the wealthier side of town and live like socialites.
As the heart of the story, White did an incredible job bringing Ponyboy to life. Whether it was through the tense or tender moments shared between him and his brothers Darrel and Sodapop (Travis Roy Rogers, Corbin Drew Ross), the bond of friendship with Johnny Cade (Bonale Fambrini), or the rising affection for rival Soc Cherry Valance (Emma Hearn), White played well off his costars with a grounded and heartfelt performance.
While every song was well done, the most memorable of the evening was “Great Expectations,” which felt powerful and resonant as Ponyboy grappled with the hand he’d been dealt in life and what he might make of it, combined with an incredible vocal performance by White and the rest of the company.
The true stand-out of this show, however, was the fight choreography. Whether it was a single hit or a whole-cast rumble, every blow was felt through the magic of lighting and sound design. Slow motion sequences help keep the action tense and even let the audience hear Ponyboy’s thoughts mid-fight.
This adaptation is a faithful and loving retelling of this beloved story, and sure to resonate as strongly as the original novel. After all, it’s nearly sixty years after the book was published, and the story has stayed gold.
For more information, visit ppacri.org
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