![[CREDIT: PPAC] Providence Performing Arts Center's production of "The Outsiders" ends its run Sunday.](https://warwickpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/PPAC-Outsiders.png)
With a book by Adam Rapp and Justin Levine, and music and lyrics by Jamestown Revival and Levine, the story focuses on the harshness of small-town life and the bitter rivalries between teenagers.
Solid performances and imaginative staging elevate the production, based on the novel by S.E. Hinton. A 1983 motion picture adaptation was directed by Francis Ford Coppola.
The setting is Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1967. The poor kids, known as the Greasers, are at war with the rich kids, known as the Socs.
PPAC’s ‘The Outsiders’ Sets, Performances Dazzle
Nolan White is appealingly earnest as Ponyboy, who lost his parents in a tragic accident. Ponyboy lives with his older brothers, loving but firm Darrel (Travis Roy Rogers) and affectionately dimwitted Soda-Pop (Corbin Drew Ross). He loves reading books and going to the movies. The classic “Cool Hand Luke” with Paul Newman is one of Ponyboy’s favorites.
Ponyboy and his best friend Johnny Cade (Bonale Fambrini) have a violent altercation with the Socs after Ponyboy wins over Cherry (Emma Hearn), the girlfriend of Bob (Andrew Cekala).
Ponyboy and Johnny flee town soon after and have to come to terms with the consequences of their actions.
There are some spectacular set pieces, including a highly stylized brawl in the rain. I also liked the look of a burning church, where Ponyboy and Johnny rescue some children.
“The Outsiders” works as well as it does due to the efforts of the creative team in establishing a cruel world where violence often takes the place of open dialogue. Seeing the ways the rich kids demean and threaten the poor kids can be disturbing to watch. There is some intense violence in this show which really underscores the dangers teenagers can experience.
That’s not to say there aren’t some lighter moments as well. Sodapop gets a lot of laughs from his lack of cultural knowledge. Ponyboy dyes his hair blond and asks if he resembles Julie Andrews. The humor is effective at lifting some of the darkness in his life.
The lighting and set design suits the show’s downbeat tone perfectly.
White is tremendously likable as Ponyboy rebels against Darrel, who wants the best for his younger brother but comes on a little too strong at times.
Rogers and Ross are also convincing in their roles and shine on “Throwing in the Towel.”
Tyler Jordan Wesley gives the best performance in the show as Dallas, the streetwise ex-con who teaches Johnny how to defend himself.
Wesley delivers soaring vocals on the Act One closer, “Run Run Brother” and Act Two’s deeply moving “Little Brother.”
Other highlights include Fambrini and White’s performance of “Stay Gold,” a heartfelt ballad about friendship, and Hearn and White’s performance of “Hopeless War.”
What’s most important in life isn’t popularity or cool cars or even winning fights. This is a story about the importance of family. Ponyboy and his brothers are bonded together through endless adversity. That quality gives this show a great deal of heart and soul.
The Outsiders runs through April 19. Providence Performing Arts Center. 220 Weybosset St., Providence, RI. Runtime is 2 hours, 20 minutes with intermission. For tickets, call the Box office at 401-421-2787 or visit ppacri.org.
Author: Joe Siegel
Joe Siegel is a regular contributing writer for WarwickPost.com. His reporting has appeared in The Sun Chronicle in Attleboro and EDGE.
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