Stay Gold

The Outsiders

During puberty, the journey from childhood to adulthood is referred to as a Coming of Age. The adolescent years are filled with self-discovery, personal growth and maturation. For Ponyboy Curtis, his coming of age is just one of the themes explored in the musical, THE OUTSIDERS, now playing at Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre for two weeks. In this powerful and poignant musical adaptation of S.E. Hinton’s classic novel, all of the teenagers who live on different sides of the tracks experience their own, individual, coming of age journey. The musical takes Ponyboy and the others through a loss of innocence, as they overcome difficult challenges and try to navigate their respective roles in society. This is one show, especially geared toward juvenile theatergoers, that should not be missed by anyone!

Credited with launching the popular Young Adult genre of literature, young author S.E. Hinton wrote this story back in 1967, when she was still in high school. It also happens to be the year in which this musical takes place. Ms. Hinton’s literary contributions include Rumble Fish, Tex, That Was Then…This is Now and The Taming of the Star Runner, but The Outsiders was her first novel and continues to be her most popular. The book is sometimes considered controversial because it depicts gang violence, underage smoking and drinking, strong language and dysfunctional families. While often challenged and even banned these days in some schools and libraries, the captivating novel is still taught in a number of literature classes.

Both the novel and the musical are told in flashback by Ponyboy Curtis, the sensitive 14-year-old main character who is a particularly wise young man. This teenager, who reads books, likes poetry and enjoys movies, is a member of the Greasers, a teenage gang from the working class sector of Tulsa, Oklahoma. After his parents were both tragically killed in a car accident, Ponyboy’s older brother Darrel has been working two jobs, keeping house and acting as a surrogate parent to both Ponyboy and his older brother, Sodapop, who dropped out of school to work at a gas station.

Ponyboy’s best friend is Johnny Cade (called Johnnycake by his friends), a quiet, withdrawn young teenager who resides with his horribly abusive and neglectful parents. A few months before the musical begins, Johnny was jumped in the park and badly beaten by the town’s rival gang, the more affluent, upper middle class Socs, who live on the West side of Tulsa. Johnny still bears the facial scars of his attackers.

On this particular night, while at the drive-in movies, Ponyboy and Johnny gallantly stick up for two Socs girls, Marcia and her outspoken friend, Cherry. She’s impressed by the kindheartedness of these two young Greasers, so the girls  decide to let the young men walk them home. Suddenly the Greaser boys are attacked by the rival gang. Bob, Cherry’s jealous boyfriend (and the guy who brutally attacked Johnny months ago) jump the boys and try to drown Ponyboy in the park fountain. To save his best friend’s life, Johnny stabs Bob, accidentally killing him. With the help of the other gang members, the two boys run far away to escape being arrested for murder.

The boys are advised by Dallas, the gang’s unofficial leader, to hop a freight train and take refuge at a deserted country church that’s miles from Tulsa. While there, the two young friends enjoy the peace and beauty of nature. Ponyboy lets Johnny disguise him by cutting and bleaching his hair blonde. Early the next morning, a lovely sunrise inspires Ponyboy to recite a poem he once memorized: Robert Frost’s “Nothing Gold Can Stay.” While impressing his friend with the beautiful simplicity of the verse, Ponyboy suddenly realizes the meaning behind Frost’s poem. As the days pass, an unexpected tragedy occurs that leaves Dallas, who has joined the boys, Johnny and, especially, Ponyboy forever changed.

A literary classic can be difficult to adapt from page to stage,  and is especially hard to craft into a meaningful musical. But talented and multiple award-winning playwright, Adam Rapp (RED LIGHT WINTER; NOCTURNE; FINER NOBLE GASES), collaborating with gifted, Tony Award-winning musical theatre playwright, Justin Levine (MOULIN ROUGE!; HERE LIES LOVE; BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON) have perfectly brought S.E. Hinton’s classic novel to life. In addition to writing the libretto, Mr. Levine also cowrote the lyrics, music, arrangements and orchestrations for the show, collaborating with the Jamestown Revival (Jonathan Clay & Zach Chance). 

Tony Award-winning Broadway Director Danya Taymor (THE OUTSIDERS, JOHN PROCTOR IS THE VILLAIN, PASS OVER) has once again dynamically staged this production for the National Tour. She’s employed the same creativity and gusto as in her multiple Tony Award-winning Broadway production, named new Best Musical of 2024. Tony-nominated Choreographers Rick & Jeff Kuperman (THE LAST FIVE YEARS, ALICE BY HEART) have recreated their spectacular and visceral dance moves from the Broadway production. The poetry in motion that’s filled with physicality and athletic prowess is beautifully performed by this talented cast.

A large, 25- member cast features newcomer Nolan White in the leading role of Ponyboy. This young Nashville actor just completed his first year as a BFA student of musical theatre at the University of Michigan. Mr. White proves to be a very accomplished young actor,/singer/dancer. Nolan brings new sparkle to songs like “Great Expectations,” “Death’s At My Door,” “Hopeless War” and, in a poignant duet with his best friend Johnny, “Stay Gold.” He plays Ponyboy so naturally, bringing a gentle and sensitive quality to the character. Through the skill of this gifted young actor, the audience will find themselves empathizing with a boy who’s struggling with personal problems amidst the socioeconomic division clash in 1960’s Tulsa.

Very fine performances are also turned in by the entire cast. Portraying Johnny Cade, the excellent young actor, Bonale Fambrini, is the heart and soul of this production. His quiet, desperation for a life that’s different and far removed from the abuse and turmoil he experiences everyday is especially heartbreaking. Mr. Fambrini totally inhabits this tragic, young character with a depth typically found in an older, far more experienced actor. Bonale Fambrini is simply fantastic.

Other standouts in this large ensemble cast include Travis Roy Rogers, as Ponyboy’s oldest brother and guardian, Darrel Curtis; Corbin Drew Ross as Ponyboy’s loving older brother, Sodapop Curtis; Tyler Jordan Wesley, in the role of stalwart Dallas Winston, one of the toughest and most easily agitated of the Greasers; Jaydon Nget, who is especially strong as Greaser, Two-Bit; and Emma Hearn who portrays the pretty and feisty, outspoken Socs named Cherry Valance, who has no problem holding her own against all the testosterone in this cast. And a shout out to the entire ensemble, whose skill, talent and boundless energy keep this musical in continual motion.

Everyone has no doubt been an Outsider at some point in his or her life. This makes Ponyboy’s story of a young boy’s ability to care about others and see things from someone else’s perspective that much more universal and powerful. And the teenager’s understanding of Frost’s poem, “Nothing Gold Can Stay,” results in a heartfelt ballad with his friend, reminding him to “Stay Gold. This excellent, emotionally powerful production is proof positive that S.E. Hinton’s book is still as relevant today as when it was written.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented February 10-22 by Broadway in Chicago at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph, Chicago.

Tickets are available at all BIC box offices, at all Ticketmaster retail locations, by calling the Broadway in Chicago Ticket Line at 800-775-2000 or by going to www.BroadwayInChicago.com

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found at www.theatreinchicago.com.