AUSTIN, Texas — Fresh off its 2024 Tony Award win for Best Musical, The Outsiders is headed to Austin, bringing the powerful story of belonging and hope to the stage. Adapted from S.E. Hinton’s beloved novel and Francis Ford Coppola’s iconic film, the thrilling new musical features original music and lyrics by Texas band Jamestown Revival.
Ahead of the show’s stop in his hometown, actor Jordan DeAndre, who plays Ponyboy, stopped by to chat with Trevor Scott about what it means to bring this story home.
The tour has special meaning for Jordan who plays the role of Ponyboy. A Texas native, DeAndre has roots in the Austin theater community, having previously performed with Summer Stock Austin and ZACH Theatre.
“Oh my gosh — this is something I’ve dreamed of since I was a little guy, even as far back as high school,” Jordan said. “To be able to travel the country doing something I love, and then bring it back home to where it all started — it’s such an honor and a gift. I couldn’t ask for anything more.
“I think any time you step into something like this, no matter your age, there’s always a feeling of being a little unprepared — you’re just rolling with the punches. But what the Austin community, especially Impact Arts, gave me was a strong sense of self and security. That foundation helped me push through challenges. Knowing where I came from, and what I had inside me, made all the difference. That’s something Austin instilled in me from the very beginning — just being sure of who I am — and it’s carried me to where I am today.”
Making the leap from local stages to Broadway has been a major milestone.
For those unfamiliar with The Outsiders, the story centers on teenage brothers and friends navigating the struggles of identity, family, and class in 1960s Oklahoma.
“The story follows Ponyboy Curtis, his brothers, and their group of friends — the Greasers — as they navigate life in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1967,” Jordan said. “It explores the class divide between the Greasers and the Socs, who are the more preppy, well-off kids in town. But at its core, it’s really a story about family, connection, and standing by your brothers. It’s about transcending social divides — which I think is so relevant to the world we live in now. It shows how much more alike we are than different.”
“What’s so cool about this show is how everything works together — the music, the script, the choreography, the movement, the set design, the projections — it all feels really cohesive,” Jordan said. “The music especially has this grit and soul that sets it apart from other musical theater out there right now. It has a kind of down-to-earth heart that really connects to the story, because these are real problems these kids are going through. The music is raw, emotional, and soul-touching, and I think that creates a bridge from the stage to the audience. It draws people in and makes the experience really immersive.”
“And honestly,” he added, “Austin is the kind of town where this show is really going to land. It’s going to resonate here in a big way.”
The production also includes a student matinee, welcoming local school groups to experience the show—something DeAndre says adds another layer of meaning to the tour’s Austin stop.
The Outsiders will run at Bass Concert Hall this fall. Tickets are available online.