the mommy avenger

Some stories just belong to a family. The Outsiders is one of those stories in our home. Between the book and the movie, it has had a special spot on our shelves and in our hearts for years, and when you’re raising four boys, a story about brothers who have each other’s backs hits a little differently. We’ve quoted it, debated it, and watched it more times than I can count. So when it was announced that The Outsiders was coming to Broadway at the Eccles in Salt Lake City, there was no question. We were going.

Now, I’ll be honest. When you love a story this much, it’s easy to get your hopes sky high and walk out a tad bit let down that a production didn’t do it justice. That is not the case with this national tour. Not even close.

If you somehow haven’t read S.E. Hinton’s classic, here’s the gist. It’s 1967 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the town is divided between two groups: the Greasers, the kids from the wrong side of the tracks, and the Socs (short for Socials), the wealthy kids with all the advantages. Fourteen-year-old Ponyboy Curtis is a Greaser who has already lost his parents and lives with his two older brothers, Darrel and Sodapop, holding onto the only family he has. When a night between the two groups goes terribly wrong, Ponyboy and his best friend Johnny find themselves running for their lives, and nothing in their world is ever quite the same.

What makes this story stick with you for decades is everything woven beneath the plot. It’s about class and the walls we build between “us” and “them.” It’s about brotherhood and the families we choose when life doesn’t hand us the one we need. It’s about loyalty, grief, and the loss of innocence, and about how much we all have in common when we finally take the time to look. Underneath the fights and the rumbles is a reminder that the person on the other side might be hurting just as much as you are. And of course, there’s that sunset and those two little words, “stay gold,” which still get me every time.

Then there’s the cast, which is just superb. Christian Arredondo as Ponyboy Curtis was a standout, and I was shocked to learn this is his first national tour. You would never know it. His voice was smooth and soothing as he told Ponyboy’s story, and he carried the whole show like a seasoned pro. Seth Ajani as Johnny Cade was another heart-tugger. His voice was sweet and melancholy, which is exactly how I always pictured Johnny, and you can’t help but want to protect him. Anthony Garcia brought strong, powerful vocals to Dally, a dangerous and misunderstood character, and he made you feel every bit of the hurt behind the tough exterior. Travis Roy Rogers was fantastic as Darrel Curtis, and Emma Hearn was great as Cherry Valance. Truly, this show was full of superb talent from top to bottom.

I absolutely loved the music. It was beautiful, clear, and full of emotion. Every song moved the story forward, so you never feel like you’re waiting for the plot to catch up. You hear every lyric, you feel every note, and before you know it you’re wiping your eyes.

The sets were minimal, yet maximized to the fullest extent. I was so impressed with the creativity of keeping the set structure simple while still taking us everywhere in the story and wrapping us up in the world of Tulsa, Oklahoma. And the special effects and lighting (and yes, RAIN!) were integral to telling the story. They weren’t just flashy extras. They made the moments hit harder and pulled us right into the scene.

Every single aspect of this production works, from the performances and music to the staging and the way it honors the heart of the original story. It’s the kind of night at the theater that has you talking the whole way home. If you grew up loving the book or the movie, you’ll feel like you’re meeting old friends. If you’re new to the story, you’re in for something special.

And please, bring your teens. This is the kind of show that speaks right to them. They’ll connect with the characters, the friendships, and the feeling of being on the outside looking in. Ours loved it, and I think yours will too.

Here’s the catch: the show is in town for a limited run, through Sunday, November 15 at the Eccles Theater.That means time is almost up, so grab your tickets now and bring your people. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this one.

Stay gold, Salt Lake!

^{*we were invited to facilitate a feature, all opinions are our own*}