Over the course of mid-2023, The Outsiders Musical freshly opened its doors to the public. However, more and more people nowadays seem to find this new musical intriguing. This latest musical is based on S.E Hinton’s novel, The Outsiders, mixed in with a musical theatre element. In June of 2024, The Outsiders Musical had been nominated for 12 Tony’s and won four of them. The Tony Awards are as follows: Best Musical, Direction of Musical, Lighting Design, and Sound Design.
In S.E Hinton’s Novel, it follows the story of Ponyboy Curtis, a teenager who has trouble finding purpose in his life. Despite his lack of ambition, he trails the “Greasers,” a gang of boys that includes his brothers and their friends. Through Ponyboy, readers follow the message of family and coming of age. Enhanced in this musical, these themes are explored on an entirely new platform: Broadway. Bringing to life the works of S.E Hinton, this musical should not be missed before it eventually closes on Broadway.
When I stepped into the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, the audience quickly filled with eager fans of the musical. The star of the show, Brody Grant, playing “Ponyboy Curtis,” walked down the aisle and onto the stage to his place before the show started, getting the audience members excited for the show and, quite literally, setting the stage for the performance. Joined by his gang of “Greaser” friends and his brothers, Darrel Curtis and Sodapop Curtis (played by Brent Comer and Jason Shmidt), the crowd continues to grow in energy as each musical number comes to an end, with thunderous applause growing exponentially.

Opening with enthusiasm and high levels of excitement, musical numbers such as “Tulsa ‘67” and “Grease Got a Hold” established the aesthetic of the timeless and impactful musical. As the curtains begin to lift, the stage is revealed with the ground covered in rubber-pebble that represents roads, along with a car that was used by the gang of “Greasers.” A wooden backdrop was included that incorporated every setting that took place in The Outsiders, such as the Curtis Household, and the movie house.
The musical slowly progresses into more serious topics and heartfelt songs that engage the audience in what The Outsiders is primarily about. As the curtain closes for Act I, the audience is left with witnessing the murder of Bob Sheldon, the primary “Soc” who led the charge of trying to drown Ponyboy after Cherry broke up with him. The suspense is built into the very last song of the first act “Run Run Brother” and sets the dramatic and impactful tone for the audience.
As the show continues, we see the progression of different character’s emotions, such as Darrel Curtis. “Throwing in the Towel” is the primary example of how Ponyboy’s oldest brother is reacting to the situation between him and the murder of Bob. I was grappled by his feelings of stress and needing to take charge of his brothers, which enhances the musical on a new level, in comparison to reading the book or watching the movie.
The musical ended with a song named “Stay Gold,” which is a staple to The Outsiders and the themes it surrounds, and “Finale (Tulsa ‘67).” The combination of Johnny Cade looming over Ponyboy in his letter before he died and the acceptance of how he has grown throughout the musical was magical and breathtaking.