This weekend, the story of “The Outsiders” by S.E. Hinton is making its way to Athens. The Lost Flamingo Theatre Company is performing the play version of the book Saturday and Sunday.
Saturday’s show starts at 7 p.m. and Sunday’s show is at 2 p.m. Both performances are in the Arts West building at 132 W. State St. Tickets are cash only and cost $5 at the door.
“The Outsiders” follows the story of Ponyboy Curtis, a 14-year-old greaser and his friends. The greasers live a rough life on the “wrong side of the tracks” while the Socs, short for Socials, live in luxury and can “get away with just about anything.” The two groups are at odds with each other, and conflicts arise after a violent incident that the teens must try to solve themselves.
First published in 1967, the story’s popularity has remained steady. A Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, a film version of the novel and a short-lived TV series were produced. Britannica reports more than 15 million copies of the novel were sold in the first 50 years of publication. The novel has also become a staple in the U.S. school system.
“In seventh grade, I felt like it was one of the most impactful books I've ever read,” Abigail Becker, a senior studying art therapy and an understudy in the show, said. “I used to think this was the pinnacle of all literature.”
The story is not just for middle schoolers, though. The director of LFC’s show, June Meehan, a junior studying history, said the show is “a story for people of all ages,” with characters anyone in the audience can relate to.
As an understudy, Becker said it is also vital for actors to connect with the character they are playing, and she is exploring many facets of the show’s characters.
“I think it's really important that, when you play a character, you find something that you can relate to in order to play the character better,” Becker said.
Webb Beatty, a sophomore studying communications, plays Darry Curtis, Ponyboy’s oldest brother. Beatty said Darry is a different type of character than he’s used to playing, but he enjoys learning to lean into a new side of his acting.
“Having the ability to look after my friends really helps me connect with Darry a little more,” Beatty said. “He just wants to protect them more than anything.”
Themes such as societal separation are highlighted in “The Outsiders.” Although the book was published nearly 60 years ago, these themes can still resonate with consumers today and especially in LFC’s cast.
“Life and the people around you might feel very separated,” Beatty said. “(But) there's still just kind of hope … that you're able to really fall into the people you love and you trust, just to know that everything's gonna be okay.”
Cast members said they had to fall back on each other during the rehearsal period when a role was recast. Meehan said although it wasn’t too challenging, it still required collaboration to teach the new member about the show’s blocking and other details.
Beatty said the cast grew close during the semester, forming new friendships and a strong team.
“Having a cast that is this close and connected really helps bring the story of ‘The Outsiders’ off the page,” Beatty said.
It’s more than just the cast bonds that make a show come alive. Vinh Nguyen, a junior studying computer science and the production’s assistant stage manager, said a cast invested in the show’s success both on and off stage makes a difference.
“This is our show,” Nguyen said. “We have to give it our all. We're going to put all of our time and effort on it and it really shows.”
Meehan said as opening night approaches, a semester’s worth of rehearsals and behind-the-scenes work is finally coming together to share the show’s story and message.
“The main message is to stay gold,” Meehan said. “Never dim that light you have and always keep moving. Even though you may be at the worst possible moment in your life, always keep moving.”
The story of Ponyboy and the greasers vs. the Socs has impacted readers and viewers for generations. LFC’s cast strives for the story to reach new people.
“Even if you’re both on different sides, you can have the power to save another life or to change a life,” Nguyen said.
