Fake punches were thrown and familiar characters came to life Thursday and Friday evening during Crimson Stage’s production of “The Outsiders” at the Allen Bales Theatre. The performance, a staged version of S.E. Hinton’s classic novel, highlights the social issues of 1960s Tulsa, Oklahoma, through the conflicts that occur between two rival gangs, the Greasers and the Socs.
Directed by Garner Dorminy, the show opened with an audio recording of Richard Nixon’s 1968 Nomination Acceptance Address, where he proclaimed: “We see Americans hating each other; fighting each other; killing each other at home.” This impactful messaging was soon mirrored by scenes of violence between the Greasers and the Socs, as The Rolling Stones’ “Paint it Black” played in the background. Though these elements root the story in its time period, they also draw an eerie connection to our current political climate, making the story feel timely and necessary.
A well acted and directed piece, Crimson Stage’s version of “The Outsiders” is a stripped back and faithful adaptation of the 1967 novel.
The core of the story of “The Outsiders” has always come from its ensemble of Greasers and their brotherly bond, and this adaptation is no exception. The actors work off of each other very well while also paying special attention to what makes their characters a unique part of the group. Jackson Blankenship’s sweet and heartbreaking portrayal of Johnny, Aiden Flowers as a stern yet vulnerable Darry and Chandler Merrill’s silly performance as Two-Bit are all highlights in their own regard.
However, it’s Lucas Panczel as Ponyboy that truly anchors the show and guides the story along. His emotional monologues and quick wit give a more open portrayal of Ponyboy than what most adaptations offer, and he shines in a role that almost seems made for him.
The only pitfall of this production of “The Outsiders” stems from the familiarity of its source material. When staging an adaptation of a beloved book many read in middle school, the audience’s familiarity with the subject means extra attention is given to certain pivotal moments from the text.
The emotional crux of “The Outsiders” is the death of Johnny Cade and the subsequent death of Dallas Winston as a result. Though it may just be part of the territory with stage adaptation, these climactic moments seemed a bit sped through, and Dallas’s emotional connection to Johnny’s death felt understated.
However, this is not to say that Crimson Stage’s “The Outsiders” doesn’t have its share of emotional and moving moments. On the contrary, scenes like Ponyboy, Darry and Sodapop’s reunion at the hospital as well as Ponyboy reading the note Johnny left in his book after his death, portrayed by Johnny coming back into the scene to read the note to the audience, are absolute tear jerkers due to the sensitive performances of the actors.
The heart of the original novel is incredibly present in Crimson Stage’s production of “The Outsiders,” and the performances and production elements create a timely production that does right by its iconic source material.
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