Del Val’s performing arts classes visited New York City to soak in the Tony Award-winning musical, “The Outsiders,” on Nov. 20.
“The Outsiders” was adapted into a musical and opened on Broadway in April 2024. 19 months later, lines still stretch to the front door of the next theater, and those lines are completely deserved.
Spaces for the field trip filled up two days after the permission slips were given to students.
The Outsiders was an incredible experience from the moment the audience entered the theater. A projection of “The Outsiders” with prehistoric style art of fighting underneath could be seen on the stage curtain.
The stage was barren until Ponyboy, played by Trevor Wayne, came on. He appears to be writing the opening lines of the novel before narrating them to the crowd. The backdrop then lifts up to reveal the set and Ponyboy’s brothers.
The set appears barren, but it didn’t limit the performers or the performance at all.
A highlight was the use of the set.
The background itself was minimal, but the show used props and lighting flawlessly to change the setting from a train, a park, a church and more.
The use of props, specifically during Act I and “Run Run Brother,” was astonishing. Simple wooden planks transformed into a train, and it was convincing. The sound effects and lighting for the scene were incredible.
The ensemble vocals in the background were fantastic, and the ensemble had a bold, strong and powerful sound.
The lighting and sound were used well throughout the performance and made the show immersive.
Another highlight was the fight scene between Ponyboy, Johnny Cade (Josh Strobl) and Bob (Kevin Csolak).
The entire theater was taken underwater whenever Ponyboy was dunked in the well. The stage dimmed, the sounds were muffled and lights shimmered on the back wall like the surface of the water. The spotlight focused on Ponyboy while his head was submerged. It created and air of tension and stress.
The individual vocal performances were incredible, especially from Brent Comer, who plays Darrel Curtis. In “Throwing in the Towel,” the singing was impeccable. He shifted from powerful belting vocals to more controlled tones, all while staying in character.
Another highlight was the choreography. The dancing was awe-inspiring with all of the different dance styles that were used. The fight choreography was well done, blending individual fighting sequences with interpretive group dance. A strong example is the rumble between the Greasers and the Socs, which was featured in the 2024 Tony Awards.
The acting had a lasting emotional impact on the audience, leaving many in tears because of how powerful the show is.
There were some issues with sound balance, however. The sound effects were much louder than the microphones on the actors, and that took away from the background vocals. The singing and clarity of individual lines during complex, technical scenes were overshadowed by the sounds balance. However, that was only a small issue, and it didn’t impact the experience as a whole.
“The Outsiders” is an exceptional musical which will stand the test of time, just as Hinton’s novel has, for years to come.
