The Outsiders
Adapted by christopher sergel from the book by s.e. hinton
directed by jonathan james
The production ran from September 13 through October 13, 2025 at the Athenaeum Center in Chicago. It garnered recognition in Chicago as well as New York. Read it’s press coverage here.
You've read the book, you've seen the film, now immerse yourself in the world of THE OUTSIDERS like never before! We invite you to go back in time to Tulsa, Oklahoma in the 1960s for this coming-of-age story told by fourteen-year-old Ponyboy Curtis. The youngest of the Greasers, Ponyboy struggles to find his place amongst his fellow outcasts. On the other side of town, the Socs seem to have it made. They jump Greasers for kicks to pass the time of their privileged lives. Cherry, a Soc, shares a connection with Ponyboy due to his sensitive nature and love of poetry. A connection that her boyfriend, Bob, will not accept. What ensues is a gut-wrenching story of love and loss that comes to a head with the unforgettable line, “Stay gold, Ponyboy.”
Reimagined for an intimate, immersive theater experience, Ponyboy, Johnny, and their gang of socially outcast Greasers come to life in this heartfelt production of THE OUTSIDERS!
James’ cast for The Outsiders features Liam Pietrzyk (Ponyboy Curtis), Julian Rus (Johnny Cade), Brick Zurek (Dallas Winston), Austin Kinser (Darryl Curtis), Jose Yantin Jr (Sodapop Curtist), Nick Pardo (Two-Bit Mathews), Jamie McCalister (Cherry Valance), Bob DiLeo (Bob Sheldon), Joshua Dizon (Randy Anderson), Olivia Kaye Da Silva (Marcia), and Valentina Mariucci (Sandy). Ensemble members are William Athow, Alastair Blevins, Kennedy Carlson, Brandon Guerrero, Michael Kelley, Ollie King, Pratik Mamtora, and Julie Utrup-O’Nan. Also joining the cast as understudies are Angela Cusmano, Michael Fosha, Alexander Garcia, Jonathan James, and Keaton Stewart..
THE OUTSIDERS will be directed by Jonathan James, with set design by Kathi Campbell and Mary Alice Benoit, sound design by Michael Incardone, costumes by Mary Alice Benoit, lighting design by Rick Keeley, movement choreography by Nick Pardo, fight choreography by Austin Kinser, and intimacy coordination by Taylor Benoit.
PRODUCTION PHOTOS
IN THE PRESS
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"James and the Home Creative Co. deserve credit for making the leap to the big city with a property as well-known and beloved as THE OUTSIDERS, and it’s clear they have talented young performers that I hope to see on more Chicago stages very soon."
- Zac Thriffiley, BroadwayWorld
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"James’ production of The Outsiders possesses a purity of heart that could soften even the harshest of critics."
- Margaret Hall, Playbill
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"I am hopeful that this company will look at staying here and doing more productions."
- Al Bresloff, Around The Town Chicago
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"The strength of this production is a talented cast, whose mission is to share Hinton’s story about empathy, the nuances of class division and the violence that erupts from a community’s economic struggles."
- Colin Douglas, Chicago Theatre Reviews