Broadway previews for “The Outsiders” musical will begin Saturday, March 16, prior to an April 11 opening night at Bernard B. Jacobs Theater.
In advance of the previews, producer Hank Unger fielded questions about the musical, as did Ryan Jude Tanner of Tanninger Entertainment.
Tanninger Entertainment, an award-winning, Tulsa-based film and live entertainment production, is among the co-producers on the musical. Managing partners are Tanner, Jay Krottinger and Patricia Chernicky.
What would you want to say about ‘The Outsiders’ musical, and how do you think it will be received by audiences?
Unger: When we premiered “The Outsiders” at La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, we found that audiences of all ages were thrilled to experience this beloved story reimagined as a musical. Whether they came because they had read the book, seen the movie or were discovering the story for the first time, word spread, and the run quickly sold out.
People are also reading…
Tanner: Adaptations are inherently tricky. We know very well. We co-produced the Broadway play “A Time To Kill,” which was a well-received and familiar working title, first in a book format, then a film. The play received mixed to bad reviews for failing to meet audience expectations. The bar is, we think, higher for working titles that have already resonated with audiences across multiple generations. For those types of familiar stories everything is fully baked, resulting in high expectations.
For “The Outsiders,” we think the same is true. The musical format offers a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the emotions and relationships depicted in the novel, while incorporating memorable songs and choreography to enhance the story, particularly with the show’s use of time, light and space. The musical highlights the various and timeless themes explored in S.E. Hinton’s beloved story: identity, loyalty, loss and of course, social class distinction. These are uniquely part of the human experience.
With regards to how the show will be received, there is always an element of uncertainty with any production. But when you consider it from a creative standpoint, from the direction to the music composition, casting and choreography, every element works cohesively to capture the essence of the novel while bringing something fresh and engaging to the stage. We hope others have a lasting impression and view the show as a wonderful addition to the Broadway experience. In the very first five seconds of the musical, at least to us, you’re hooked. It’s incredibly transportive.
Were you introduced to “The Outsiders” via book or film, and do you have a personal story about either experience?
Unger: I read the story in ninth grade as part of my English class and remember how struck I was by Ponyboy’s struggle to find his place in the world, something so many people grapple with, at at any age.
Tanner: For me, I did not read the book during my middle school years, or even after I graduated high school (I’m from Illinois; it wasn’t required reading!). However, the reason I think ‘The Outsiders’ should be at the top of the reading list is: Simply put, it’s a story about people — young people, kids — going through adolescence and all the various challenges. Today, now more than ever, young people reading stories and seeing musicals — that mirror their real-life challenges — is so important. We all want to be more loved and feel less alone.
Young cast members from Francis Coppola’s motion picture “The Outsiders” vaulted to stardom. What are your thoughts on the cast that has been assembled for the musical?
Unger: We have an incredible group of amazing young artists comprising our cast, many of whom will be making their Broadway debut with “The Outsiders.” It’s exciting to see a new generation bringing this story to life, reimagined for the theater.
Tanner: I think we have 16 or 18 Broadway debuts, which is somewhat rare. Many of the cast members have built these characters together for a very long time, and others recently joined the cast. What was so striking — what made those little hairs on the back of your head stand up — was watching the cast in Tulsa visit the various Outsiders locations. The imagery captured and the moments of friendship and loyalty within the cast, that is real. That is authentic. And those themes shine bright with this cast. You’ll see!
“The Outsiders” is a story that continues to be shared, and remains popular, ever since Susie Hinton’s book was published in 1967. Why do you think the story continues to appeal to people?
Unger: I think the themes of this story have universal appeal because they are fundamental aspects of the human experience. Themes like identity, belonging, the concept of right vs. wrong, and learning the hard truth that life can be complicated and layered are explored through Ponyboy’s journey. The story also reminds us how similar we all are despite our differences. While these themes are often more prevalent in our teenage years as we transition from adolescence into adulthood, many of us continue to be confronted with them throughout our lives.
Tanner: When we look back and reexamine our lives… when we dig deep into our childhoods (and even as adults), I think most of us would say we’ve been an outsider at some point. Even folks who may have technically been socs in middle and high school — or even today — would lament that they have felt like an outsider at some point. Some of us might identify as a greaser and some as a soc, but we all relate to being an outsider. That’s the power of “The Outsiders.”