Most Americans may have an opinion on “The Outsiders,” S.E. Hinton’s 1967 coming-of-age novel that has been required reading for most middle-schoolers for the past half-century, and the book’s 1983 big-screen film adaptation, which turns 40 this year.
If they’re like me, they love the book’s characters and story, but the writing reads like juvenile fiction. And while the Francis Ford Coppola film version feels more grown up, it trades deep character introspection for a flashy shootout and a gang fight in the rain.
Now comes the superior “Outsiders” the musical, which opened in its world premiere Saturday at La Jolla Playhouse. It successfully blends the best of the book and the movie in a richly detailed story for teen and adult audiences. It reveals its characters thoughts through song lyrics that feel authentic to the book, while still delivering a cinematic-style visual punch, with muscular choreography and, yes, a dazzling rumble in the rain.
Imaginatively directed by Danya Taymor, the musical ingeniously begins immersively, with the Mandell Weiss Theatre resembling a Tulsa movie theater in 1967 — the year both “The Outsiders” was published and the movie “Cool Hand Luke” premiered. Paul Newman is the hero of the book’s protagonist, 14-year-old aspiring writer Ponyboy Curtis, and before that film begins on an oversized movie screen on the stage, Ponyboy actor Brody Grant can be seen at the corner of the stage writing in a notebook the “Outsiders” memory tale that’s about to unfold.
Bookwriter Adam Rapp has faithfully adapted (with the addition of a few curse words) the central story of three orphaned siblings — Ponyboy, Sodapop and Darrel — barely scraping by with the love and of their fellow Greasers, a gang of hard-luck boys who scrap frequently with the Socs (an abbreviation of “socials,” pronounced “soashes”) from the wealthy side of town.
The 18-song score, which has a propulsive, Southwestern vibe, was co-written by Jamestown Revival (the Austin-based duo of Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance) and Broadway veteran Justin Levine. It shines best in Ponyboy’s uplifting expository song “Great Expectations” and in the many ballads (the best include “Runs in the Family,” “Hopeless War,” “Throwing in the Towel” and “Stay Gold”). Not every scene needs a song, though, and some numbers need work, like “Grease Got a Hold” and “Hoods Turned Heroes.”
Choreographers Rick Kuperman and Jeff Kuperman have created a blend of highly athletic dance and fight choreography that reaches its zenith in the thrilling rain battle, performed with synchronized and percussive slow-motion punches, streaks of lightning and flying sprays of black cork particle “dirt” that lines the stage floor. The scene powerfully reflects Ponyboy’s growing realization of the brutality and futility of violence.
The two-story junkyard and playground scenic design by AMP featuring Tatiana Kahvegian is smartly versatile and Isabella Byrd’s lighting adds tension and drama. Sarafina Bush designed costumes and Justin Ellington designed sound.
Leading the 25-member cast as the perpetually bruised Ponyboy, Grant has a fragile, boyish demeanor, and he sings with trembling sweetness and vulnerability. Sky Lakota-Lynch captures the haunted spirit of Ponyboy’s abused best friend, Johnny. And Ryan Vasquez is the show’s vocal standout as Darrel, Ponyboy’s overworked oldest brother, and fortunately the songwriters have given him two songs that showcase his singing power.
Not everything in the show works. Rapp’s decision to create a hand-holding romance between Ponyboy and the more mature Soc girl Cherry (Piper Patterson) feels wrong. The ex-con Greaser Dallas (Da’Von T. Moody) sings and looks too Broadway, with none of the character’s razor-sharp edge from the book — especially his rewritten finale. And the critical fire scene in Act Two feels rushed and anticlimactic.
With a few tweaks, this musical could be Broadway-ready, and with its unique look and sound, it could carve its own path, both with fans of the book and newcomers to the story.
‘The Outsiders’
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Extended through April 9
Where: La Jolla Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive
Tickets: $25 and up
Phone: (858) 550-1010
Online: lajollaplayhouse.org
