The rumble is coming to the 216. From April 28 through May 17, the streets of Tulsa, Oklahoma, will materialize on the stage of Playhouse Square as the Tony Award-winning musical The Outsiders makes its highly anticipated stop in Cleveland.
Based on the seminal novel by S.E. Hinton and the iconic Francis Ford Coppola film, The Outsiders has redefined the modern American musical. Since its explosive debut on Broadway, the production has garnered massive critical acclaim, culminating in twelve Tony Award nominations and four wins, including the coveted title of Best Musical in 2024. Fans and critics alike have praised the show for its “unflinching grit” and “soul-stirring heart,” noting how it manages to preserve the raw, rebellious spirit of the original story while elevating it through a hauntingly beautiful folk-alt-rock score.
For Cleveland audiences, the show carries a special resonance. The lead producing team includes brothers Matthew and Michael Rego, along with their childhood friend Hank Unger. All three are Cleveland area natives who have taken the theater world by storm, and bringing this powerhouse production back to their hometown is a significant full-circle moment for the trio.
At the center of this touring production is a cast of rising stars, including Jordan DeAndre Williams, who steps into the iconic role of Ponyboy Curtis for select performances. For Williams, the journey to Tulsa began long ago in a Texas classroom.
“Growing up in Texas, we all had to read The Outsiders in the seventh grade, which I think is a really formative time to be exposed to that kind of material,” Williams says. “At its basis, it follows Ponyboy Curtis and his friends in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1967. It’s really a story about chosen family, love, and transcending differences. I think that’s really important, especially now, because it shows that we’re all a lot more similar than we are different.”
Translating a beloved literary classic into a musical is no small feat, but Williams emphasizes that the production stayed true to its roots by keeping the author involved in the process.
“Our team was really, really adamant about working in close quarters with S.E. Hinton to create the most direct translation that they could from the book to the stage,” Williams explains. “I think obviously, because of the art form, it is going to have its differences, but I think that only enriches the material. If you love the book or the movie, you’re going to love the musical.”
The stage production is noted for its visceral, immersive quality. When asked about the moments that consistently leave audiences breathless, Williams points to the show’s technical and emotional peaks.
“The rumble scene—the big fight where it’s raining and there’s thunder, lightning, dirt being thrown around, and blood—is really pulse-pounding and surprising. It enthralls any audience. I love that part every time; it’s probably the most fun I get to have on stage as Ponyboy. Otherwise, the finale is the most heartwarming part for me. After the story, when all is said and done, you see these characters grow in such a way that the finale really brings it all home.”
Beyond the performances, Williams urges theatergoers to pay close attention to the sheer scale of the world-building on stage.
“Our team was just so incredible in designing this show. The projections and lighting are very environmental. There are leaves on the stage, dirt, water, fire, and smoke. Everything you need to notice will be right there in your face. You can see the small details, from the ’60s attire to how we use our bodies to make the scenery. I think that’ll be really surprising for any audience.”
For Williams, this production isn’t just a job; it’s a milestone. This marks his national tour debut, a dream realized at age 23.
“This is my first national tour—my debut! I love traveling and performing, so getting the opportunity to do it at this point in my life is such a gift. I love the road and all the cities we get to go to. I’m really excited to come to Cleveland. It’s our first time being anywhere for more than two weeks, so it’s going to be exciting to explore and settle down some roots.”
The “Greaser” bond isn’t just something the actors portray on stage; it is a reality behind the scenes. Williams describes a cast and crew that have become as tight-knit as the Curtis brothers themselves.
“For a lot of us, this is one of our earliest jobs or even our first, which is exciting but also daunting. We’re very lucky to have found a show where the material calls for such young artists. When we got to New York City, our director, Danya Taymor, was adamant about us forming a strong, familial bond. It does feel like a family—a brotherhood—which is a gift on the road when you’re far away from home. Knowing we have each other’s backs has been so enriching to the soul.”
Interestingly, Williams considers himself a bit of a “late bloomer” in the theater world. Unlike many of his peers who started as children, he didn’t find the stage until his late teens.
“I started performing when I was around 17. I’m 23 now, so I’ve only been at it about six years,” he shares. “I was going to go to college, then the pandemic happened, so I didn’t end up going to school for it. Instead, I took a few years off and didn’t perform for about three years. Then I started getting involved in Austin, Texas, in the regional theater scene. I’ve gotten most of my training through practice and having opportunities to perform. The Austin community theater scene is so rich with culture; it was a perfect place for me to start budding as an artist.”
His passion for the arts was sparked by a high school production of Mary Poppins, where he played Bert. Though he nearly stepped away from performing entirely, The Outsiders pulled him back in.
“I think The Outsiders really reignited my passion for performance, especially in musical theater. I’ve loved music since I was a child, and finding myself a little off the path, I was going to take a break until I encountered this musical. The Americana style—The Jamestown Revival and Justin Levine really orchestrated such a beautiful score. That’s what first hooked my interest.”
Williams found a kindred spirit in Ponyboy Curtis, noting the striking similarities between his own personality and the character S.E. Hinton created decades ago.
“I’ve always related to Ponyboy. I like to read, I like to write, I like to stare at the sunset, and I have always been a hopeless dreamer. Through six rounds of auditions, I got to dive deeper into who he was and how closely related he was to me. It’s a gift to play this role because it’s like playing an extension of myself translated into a different language.”
As the tour brings this heavy, hopeful story to cities across America, Williams views his work as a vital form of connection in a chaotic world.
“The arts show so much of our humanity. We can become super desensitized with everything going on in the world, and things can get heavy. But if you can put that aside for two and a half hours and see a show about connectivity, love, and chosen family, it’s really enriching. Showing people that look like them, who may be going through the same scenarios as they are in real life, is such a blessing for all of us.”
As the curtain prepares to rise at Playhouse Square, Williams has one final message for the people of Cleveland.
“Cleveland fans should come see The Outsiders because it’s unlike anything else they’ve encountered on the stage. If you’re looking for a story that’s going to change your heart—or maybe even your mind—it’s going to be worth it. Seeing a classic translated to the stage in this way is riveting. Anyone who misses The Outsiders is going to miss out, and anyone who gets to see it is going to be very, very lucky!”
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