Hamilton Drama Presents: The Outsiders
Photos submitted by Steighner.
Lauren Steighner
In the Hamilton School District, every 8th grader that goes through Templeton Middle School reads the famous novel: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. This story is a favorite amongst the 8th graders and is remembered fondly by many high school students. This year, Hamilton Drama is producing the play adaptation of this remarkable book.
Welcome to Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the year 1967. Here, the town is split into two sides. The west side is home to the rich kids, “The Socs” (short for Socials). They dress nice, get good grades, throw big parties, have nice cars, and go to fancy universities. They also like to jump Greasers. The Greasers inhibit the east side of town. They’re “tuff,” and grease their hair back, wear dark jeans and leather, fight, smoke, and make up the working class. They inhabit the typical “hood” stereotypes. They carry blades and “heaters” (slang for hand guns) as a symbol of their defiance against the Socs’ way of living. The two groups fight often and struggle to live alongside each other.
The story is told through the perspective of Ponyboy Curtis (Elijah Karnthaler, senior), a 14 year old Greaser. His parents died in a car crash and he lives with his older brothers Darry (Bradin Muzich-Bub, senior) and Sodapop (Josiah Bender, senior). Ponyboy and his best friend Johnny Cade (Fajr Said, senior) are often subjects of the Socs’ attacks. One night, after a fight with Darry, Ponyboy and Johnny plan to run away from Tulsa. Just when things are looking up for the boys, they get attacked by the Socs’ and their lives are changed forever.
The Outsiders is a powerful book and play, showing the realities of polarization, and showcasing issues that teens deal with in the present day that often go unrepresented in the media. The show is rated PG-13 due to its heavy themes of violence, death, and suicide. Despite all of the dark topics within the show, The Outsiders carries powerful messages of hope, unity, family, love, friendship, and the reminder to “Stay Gold.”
This cast has been working since November in order to bring this story to life. The love that the Hamilton High School students have for the story of The Outsiders is apparent through this cast, as much of the cast is made up of people who had never auditioned for drama productions before. This has added a fun dynamic to the rehearsals, as seasoned Hamilton Drama vets work alongside new actors, all towards the same goal of bringing this touching story to life. The Outsiders has a powerful message of coming together despite differences, and this cast is a beautiful example of just that.
The Outsiders opens Friday, February 13, with performances the 13th, 14th, and 15th. Tickets are available on the Fine Arts Center website or at the door prior to the show.
