Your favorite 7th-grade classic has come to life as a soul-crushing and devastatingly adolescent new musical.
The Outsiders debuted in March 2023 and quickly captured audiences’ hearts—and even snagged a couple of Tony Awards—in its first year of performances. More than anything, however, the show has served as a vehicle for five of the nine young cast members whose Broadway debuts left us awe-inspired. While The Outsiders stuns with its moving solos and full-cast numbers, the musical’s expertise lies in its imaginative lighting design, choreography, and sonic ingenuity.
The Outsiders features some of the most thought-provoking production choices, originating from the brilliant director Danya Taymor. She has amassed audiences in the theater world for her work on contemporary and classic works, often defying homogenous narratives and bringing in diverse perspectives. Taymor’s ability to bring out raw performances from her actors has made her a rising star in the American theater scene.
Alongside Taymor’s remarkable direction, the show’s producer is none other than renowned actress and activist, Angelina Jolie. While The Outsiders is Jolie’s first venture into Broadway production, she has done a phenomenal job adapting S.E. Hinton’s novel into a heart-warming performance on Broadway.
The combined efforts of Taymor and Jolie deliver an entirely new genre of theater. They have raised the bar in lighting design, direction, and sound engineering. This new musical has taught us that everything can be brought to the table. From real fire to fully automated rain to a functional Corvette, Taymor proves time and time again that she can bring anything to the stage.
One of Taymor’s standout talents is her attention to detail in the score. She cleverly uses background vocals to create a more immersive feel to songs—prominent in hit tracks like “Run Run Brother,” “Little Brother,” and others. Likewise, the show’s harmonies hold important symbolic value. A closer look into a song’s harmonies can reveal truths about each of the characters singing. Taymor’s easter eggs keep the show compelling after every watch.
Though brimming with potential, The Outsiders isn’t without its imperfections. What it lacks structurally, it makes up for in emotional depth. Many moments don’t feel fully fleshed out. Some songs, especially those lyrically rushed, could have been left behind in rewrites. This pitfall can make the musical’s themes feel slightly fuzzy and confused.
We must remind ourselves that the show is still an infant: young cast, recent debut, and fresh tracks. Its underdevelopment may even contribute to the show; if anything, the musical is meant to be a gritty teenager. A few rough edges and scraped knees make sense for this sort of production.
Overall, The Outsiders is a show with a big production and an even bigger heart. If you are a musical lover—or just a fan of a good cry—I’d highly recommend seeing The Outsiders this fall.
