THE OUTSIDERS Welcomes Alex Joseph Grayson To Broadway

A worn-out stagehand once mentioned to me that in live performance, everyone and everything has a second act—even after the curtain falls. It reminded me that no show is ever truly “finished”; fresh faces and renewed energies can transform a production overnight. This idea rang especially true this week with the exciting news that Alex Joseph Grayson is stepping into the role of Dallas Winston in THE OUTSIDERS, the Tony-winning musical taking Broadway by storm.

Revivals

Broadway has witnessed a remarkable year. From experimental revivals to star-studded debuts, there’s been no shortage of jaw-dropping moments for theatregoers to savour. Right at the heart of this electrifying season sits THE OUTSIDERS, which clinched the 2024 Tony Award for Best Musical. This same show also took home awards for Best Direction of a Musical (Danya Taymor), Best Lighting Design (Brian MacDevitt and Hana S. Kim), and Best Sound Design (Cody Spencer). In a year of close calls and tight races, THE OUTSIDERS managed to unite critics and audiences alike in unanimous admiration.

Adapted from S.E. Hinton’s seminal novel and further inspired by Francis Ford Coppola’s 1983 film, this musical retelling opened at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on 11 April 2024. Ever since, seats have been full, and the buzz on social media has been relentless. The show’s success feels like the perfect convergence of nostalgia for Hinton’s classic story, cinematic memories of the star-studded film, and contemporary stagecraft that breathes new life into Ponyboy Curtis and his loyal band of “outsiders.”

Who Is Alex Joseph Grayson?

If you followed Broadway’s 2023 Tony-winning revival of Parade, you’ll likely recognise Alex Joseph Grayson. His portrayal of Jim Conley earned him industry-wide respect, not to mention a Grammy nomination as a principal soloist on the cast album. But Alex Joseph Grayson is no stranger to the stage: his additional credits include Into the Woods, Girl from the North Country, and A Bronx Tale. Each role brought out fresh facets of his vocal talent and expressive acting style, prompting theatre watchers to note his remarkable versatility. Some fans have even suggested that, from the moment he stepped onto a Broadway stage, he was destined to take on a role as iconic as Dallas Winston—one of S.E. Hinton’s most charismatic and troubled characters.

Starting 28 February, Grayson will don the leather jacket and bring his own unique edge to Dallas. In the interim, the part has been covered by Aramie Payton and Daryl Tofa, following Tony nominee Joshua Boone’s departure on 26 January. According to backstage whispers, Grayson has been quietly preparing for the role in his downtime between Parade and other projects, studying how Dallas Winston’s swagger, vulnerability, and loyalty hold the narrative together like a lynchpin.

In a city where a new musical opens every other week (or so it seems), you might ask: why THE OUTSIDERS? Isn’t there enough Shakespeare or Sondheim to fill our schedules? Yet the numbers speak for themselves. Since it opened, audience capacity has consistently hit high percentages—some weekends have sold out entirely. Critics have praised it as a fresh take on a teenage odyssey that resonates with all ages, and the show’s robust marketing strategy has played a part in turning it into the season’s must-see spectacle.

Then there’s the sheer breadth of talent on display. Brody Grant portrays Ponyboy Curtis with the heartfelt sincerity that the role demands. Brent Comer brings intensity to Darrel, and Jason Schmidt’s Sodapop brims with warmth. As Johnny Cade, Sky Lakota-Lynch (best known for Dear Evan Hansen) explores that delicate balance between innocence and despair, while Emma Pittman (from Chicago) slips seamlessly into the part of Cherry Valance. Rounding out the current cast are Daryl Tofa (also stepping in as Two-Bit Mathews), Kevin William Paul as Bob Sheldon, and Dan Berry as Paul.

But the brilliance doesn’t end there. The musical’s creative team is as star-studded as its cast, with a book by Adam Rappand Justin Levine, plus music and lyrics by Jamestown Revival and Levine. The choreography, courtesy of Rick Kuperman and Jeff Kuperman, ensures the action sequences explode with raw energy—watch for the swirling fights and frantic chases that mirror the youthful volatility in the storyline. Costumes by Sarafina Bush cleverly evoke 1967’s Tulsa while sidestepping cartoonish clichés, and the scenography by AMP (featuring Tatiana Kahvegian) knits the stage into a cinematic tapestry. Add to that Tony-winning lighting from Brian MacDevitt and Hana S. Kim, plus Tony-winning sound by Cody Spencer, and the entire production sizzles like a live wire.

A Legend Reimagined For The 21st Century

One lesser-known detail about S.E. Hinton’s original novel is that she wrote it as a teenager. Published in 1967, The Outsiders paved the way for a new kind of young adult fiction—bold, gritty, and unafraid to tackle stark socio-economic conflicts. The book became an instant classic, its honest portrayal of teenage alienation resonating across generational divides. By the time Francis Ford Coppola adapted it for film in the 1980s, the story already held a special place in the cultural imagination.

Transferring that essence from page and screen to stage is no small feat. The creative team approached the challenge by maintaining the story’s raw emotional core while using music to highlight the characters’ inner worlds. The result is a vibrant tapestry of rock-infused anthems and tender ballads—songs that capture both the camaraderie and the heartbreak of these young men trying to find their footing. According to a recent survey by BroadwayWorld, theatre lovers under 30 have embraced the musical wholeheartedly, praising its rebellious energy and deeply poignant moments.

A Unique Lens On Teenage Turbulence

When you’re in the theatre, paying attention to the show’s design elements can be as fascinating as following the plot. One surprising detail is how the lighting changes whenever the Socs—those privileged kids from the “right side of town”—appear on stage. Brian MacDevitt and Hana S. Kim orchestrate colour palettes that subtly shift from the warm hues marking Greaser territory to cooler, almost clinical tones that swirl around the Socs. It’s a visual allegory: under that slick exterior, the Socs’ world can feel cold and isolating, while the supposedly rough world of the Greasers often pulses with warmth and loyalty.

The fight scenes, staged with the help of fight captain Henry Julián Gendron, also deserve special mention. Each punch, grapple, and tumble is choreographed to feel visceral, yet there’s a balletic quality to the movements. You’ll notice carefully timed footwork and stylised moments that freeze the action, letting you see every tense muscle and anguished expression. This approach transforms street brawls into emotionally charged set pieces that underscore the stakes for Ponyboy, Dallas, and the rest of the gang.

Poised For Dramatic Heights

Filling Joshua Boone’s shoes is no small task, but if anyone can rise to the occasion, it’s Alex Joseph Grayson. In Parade, Grayson demonstrated a capacity for searing intensity—just imagine how that’ll translate to the gritty, impulsive Dallas Winston. Those close to the production say his chemistry with Brody Grant (Ponyboy) is immediate, lending fresh nuance to the relationship between the battle-hardened Dallas and the more introspective Ponyboy.

There’s also the matter of vocal prowess. Dallas isn’t simply a fist-thrower or a sullen antihero; the role demands a voice that can roar with rebellious energy and dip into aching vulnerability. Grayson’s track record in musicals like Girl from the North Country hints that he’s got the range to make Dallas’s emotional journey as compelling in song as it is in dialogue.

In theatre, no story ever stops growing. Each fresh cast member injects new perspective and unexpected nuance, reminding us that even the most celebrated productions remain living organisms. For THE OUTSIDERS—a show about belonging and identity—there’s something especially poignant about welcoming a new actor into the fold, showing that unity is built one relationship at a time, both on and off the stage.

So if you yearn for a musical that marries gritty realness with heart-thumping melodies, or if you simply want to watch a performer like Alex Joseph Grayson step into a role that’s sure to leave audiences gasping, then head down to the Jacobs. Prepare to be moved, shaken, and above all, reminded why we keep coming back to live theatre: for the communion, for the transformation, and for the electric jolt of possibility coursing through the spotlight. After all, as THE OUTSIDERS proves with every performance, sometimes the best way to find your place is by welcoming a brand-new face into the family.