Let’s Get Ready To Rumble!
Not normally words associated with the bright lights of Broadway, but this great new blogathon gave me the opportunity to do it!
This blogathon is for any Broadway show that began as film or TV, or became film or TV…and I just saw a terrific musical that fit the bill perfectly!
Yes, one of the hottest shows on Broadway is based on the 1983 film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, which was based on the acclaimed novel by S.E. Hinton.
Here’s the plot: a teen gang in rural Oklahoma, the Greasers are perpetually at odds with the Socials, a rival group. When Greasers Ponyboy (C. Thomas Howell) and Johnny (Ralph Macchio) get into a brawl that ends in the death of a Social member, the boys are forced to go into hiding. Soon Ponyboy and Johnny, along with the intense Dallas (Matt Dillon) and their other Greaser buddies, must contend with the consequences of their violent lives. While some Greasers try to achieve redemption, others meet tragic ends.
Here is the trailer:
What an incredible cast! Tom Cruise, Diane Lane, Matt Dillon, Rob Lowe, Ralph Macchio and Patrick Swayze are terrific in Coppola’s masterful film.
41 years later, it has become a smash Broadway musical – yes, musical!
The story is exactly the same:
On stage, you quickly meet the outsiders, who immediately run afoul of the cool kids in town. It’s an age old story of the “haves” versus the “have nots” – rich kids versus the kids from the “other side of the tracks” – and while the show is a musical it is very serious indeed!
The “rumble” sequence is powerfully done, with sheets of water pouring from above the actors as they fight on stage.
The music captures all of the emotions the characters feel, and it’s beautifully acted and directed.
The show was an immediate success when It premiered earlier this spring.
Here is the promotional video for the great new song “Stay Gold” from the show:
The best news is that “The Outsiders” is one of the most nominated new musicals of the year!
The Tony Awards are revealed tonight, so good luck to this incredible cast and crew for a powerful night of theater!
Check out all of the people writing terrific stories by going to the blogathon site here:
I recently took part in another blogathon that focused on strange “neighbors:”
So what’s so strange about this nice couple who live next door – outside of their wardrobe?
Oh that’s right, they are Satan worshippers!
See my review of the classic shocker “Rosemary’s Baby” here:
Author Ira Levin also wrote this classic sci-fi horror film:
See my review of the film here:
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Categories: 70's Cinema, Action Films, Art, Books / Media, Cult Movies, Great Films, Movies, Music, New York, Pop Culture, Talent/Celebrities
johnrieber 
I love the book and movie, so I am definitely intrigued by the musical! So good to hear that it turned out really well and stays true to the source material.
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Thanks for the comment! Yes, they capture the tone and style of the book well, and the music heightens the emotion on stage, doesn’t take away at all…
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Ah, this looks cool, and a pretty natural choice for a Broadway show. It’s always a trip to think about how many huge actors got their first breaks in “The Outsiders,” no pun intended. Thanks again for joining the blogathon with this great write-up!
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I forgot how many big names were indeed in that film – and the musical was really good! Thanks for joining me here and for commenting – much appreciated!
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You’re very welcome, John!
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I didn’t know about the Outsiders musical until I saw the list of Tony winners! That’s cool! BTW, I’m much preferred Coppola’s extended cut, titled The Outsiders: The Complete Novel. It’s a much better film.
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I haven’t seen that but need to – thanks for the heads up!
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Be great to have you, hope you can join….
https://weegiemidget.wordpress.com/2024/06/18/news-announcing-the-aaron-spellingverse-blogathon/
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It’s unusual to see a film become a Broadway play, instead of the other way around, but your description of the stage production sounds A-MAZ-ING. Have never seen the film, but it’s high time I did, considering that stellar cast.
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and it just won Best Musical!!!!!Wow what an upset!
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I loved the movie and had no idea it had been made into a stage play. I’d love to see it!
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I don’t recall this film at all, though it sounds similar to ‘Rumble Fish’, which I do remember. I’m sure it will translate well onto the stage.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Coppola did them back to back I think! Its a good film with a really strong cast
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I will definitely have to watch the Tonys tonight. Nice post, John
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Thank you! It was a very strong year for Broadway…intersting fact: “Stereophonic” is a fictional look at Fleetwood Mac making “Rumours” album…a number of great songs – but it’s not in the musical category! You see, we see them rehearse the songs and the dramatic circumstances as they do, so even thought there is a soundtrack album it was put in the “play” category instead!
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The categories they place things and people in are as confusing as the Oscars.
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Yes, indeed! Still the champ is the Golden Globes, who nominated the film “The Martian” with Matt Damon trying to survive on Mars in the musical/comedy category! HA!
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LOL
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