ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar:
THE OUTSIDERS
Now Playing CADILLAC PALACE THEATRE
August 4 – 16, 2026
RUNNING TIME 2 hours and 25 minutes including an intermission
The Outsiders North American Tour Company
By Bonnie Kenaz-Mara
The Outsiders North American Tour Company
All Production Photos by Matthew Murphy Unless Otherwise Noted
Last night I saw a sign blazing STAY GOLDEN, as I exited The Kennedy at Northeastern University's El Centro campus. I was on my way back from opening night of The Outsiders tour at Broadway in Chicago's Cadillac Palace, still glowing from the epic fight choreo, catchy score, and talented cast and creatives. Chicago has fully embraced the return of this classic YA novel, turned iconic 80s movie, turned award winning Broadway musical. ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List. Four out of Four Stars. ★★★★ Highly recommended.
The Cast of The Outsiders -The Rumble 2
Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman
Not only is the cast superb, this production has the best fight finale we've ever seen! It's also worth the ticket price to see the visually stunning use of faux pebbles and water, as well as their creative depiction of boxcars.The elements play a feature role as The Outsiders incorporates a deadly abandoned church fire, a downpour, and simulated loose gravel and dirt to facilitate slides and gorgeous visual effects as it's kicked into arcs during dance scenes. Thankfully it's soft rubber, so no actors get injured and there are no worries if you score a front row seat.
The audience was full of roving groups of tweens and teens who'd all bought the tee shirts and were already eagerly wearing them, an anomaly beyond the Hamilton scene. The Outsiders is a great bet for multigenerational family fun and a wonderful way to introduce older children to the wonders of live theatre. My son and daughter are in their 20s now, but back in the day, when we were catching theatrical adaptations, we used to read the books first, check out the live theatre, then see the movie. Afterwards we'd play the Same/Different game and have lively discussions on how the 3 compared.
I still remember reading Susan Eloise Hinton's 1967 novel as a kid in the 70s, and love that it was written by a woman who spent her teen years living in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Then came Francis Ford Coppola's epic 1983 film adaptation, full of the future famous, when I was a high school sophomore. This was Rob Lowe's feature film debut, and the ensemble cast included C. Thomas Howell (who garnered a Young Artist Award), Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Patrick Swayze, Diane Lane, Emilio Estevez, Tom Cruise, and Leif Garrett! This beloved classic is still streaming. Those are big boots to fill for a new Broadway Musical, and this one kills it. THE OUTSIDERS, is the 2024 Tony Award winner for BEST MUSICAL and has become a fan favorite of audiences and critics alike.
(L-R) Emma Hearn and Nolan White in The Outsiders North American Tour
The Outsiders is timeless and timely, with a theme familiar since recorded time. Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet 400+ years ago, Dickens' Great Expectations in 1860, and Westside Story in 1957, to name a few, all deal with themes of class warfare, teens making dangerous romantic choices, bullying, murder, and redemption. All these tales have staying power, and The Outsides is definitely a story big and bold enough for Broadway.
There were 4 understudies in for opening night last night, and the production flowed seamlessly. Here are the cast changes. Brandon Borkowsky was out and Giuseppe Little was in as Steve. Katie Riedel was out and Gina Gagliano and Veronica Carolina Leite were in as Marcia. And finally, Johnathan Tanner was out and Taylor James Rosenberger was on as Chet. The professionalism and talent was incredible, and the energy was undeniable.
(L-R) Bonale Fambrini and Tyler Jordan Wesley in The Outsiders North American Tour
Photo by Matthew Murphy
The Outsiders North American Tour Company
We adored this heart wrenching tale of class warfare and bullying turned deadly. It's great to see this seminal story, set in 1967, reach new audiences as a stage adaptation. It's well worth a look and more than a nostalgia piece. When I caught opening night of the first Chicago tour stop last February I recommended it and gave it 3 out of 4 stars. At the time I felt that at points the musical format came off as contrived and crossed from emotional to maudlin. This time The Outsiders officially won me over and I was wowed. I've since revised my review upward a star. Stay gold indeed! Four out of Four Stars. ★★★★ Highly recommended. ChiILMama.com. Don't miss this!
Bonnie is a Chicago based writer, theatre critic, photographer, artist, and empty nester. She owns two websites where she publishes frequently: ChiILLiveShows.com (adult) & ChiILMama.com (family friendly).
The Tony Award® winning Best Musical, THE OUTSIDERS, based on the seminal novel by S.E. Hinton and Francis Ford Coppola’s landmark motion picture, returns to Chicago tomorrow night for a strictly-limited engagement at Broadway In Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre.
Individual tickets, priced from $49.00 to $165.00, are available at www.BroadwayInChicago.com, with a select number of premium, lottery, and rush tickets available. Additional fees apply for online purchases. Groups of 10 or more may purchase tickets by emailing GroupSales@BroadwayInChicago.com or calling 312-977-1710. Click here or see below for additional information on lottery, rush and the performance schedule.
Ride Metra to any Broadway In Chicago show all summer long. Stress free rides are free – because the only drama should be on stage.
“We are thrilled to bring THE OUTSIDERS back to Chicago this summer,” said producer Matthew Rego of The Araca Group. “After an extraordinary sold-out run this past winter, Chicago audiences made it clear they were ready for a return and we are grateful for the opportunity to deliver another engagement.”
In Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1967, Ponyboy Curtis, his best friend Johnny Cade and their Greaser family of ‘outsiders’ battle with their affluent rivals, the Socs. THE OUTSIDERS navigates the complexities of self-discovery as the Greasers dream about who they want to become in a world that may never accept them. With a dynamic original score, THE OUTSIDERS is a story of friendship, family, belonging…and the realization that there is still “lots of good in the world.
The Outsiders North American Tour Company
THE OUTSIDERS features Scenography by Tony Award nominees AMP featuring Tatiana Kahvegian, Costume Design by Sarafina Bush, Lighting Design by Tony Award winner Brian MacDevitt, Sound Design by Tony Award winner Cody Spencer, Projection Design by Tony Award winner Hana S. Kim, Special Effects Design by Jeremy Chernick & Lillis Meeh, Hair & Wig Design by Alberto “Albee” Alvarado, Makeup Design by Tishonna Ferguson, Sound Effects Specialist Taylor Bense, Creative Consultant Jack Viertel. Speech Text & Dialect Coach Gigi Buffington. Music Supervision & Additional Orchestrations by Tony Award nominee Matt Hinkley, Music Direction by Remy Kurs. Production Supervision by Beverly Jenkins, Production Stage Management by Edmond O’Neal. Casting is by The TRC Company/Xavier Rubiano, CSA.
(L-R) Nolan White and Travis Roy Rogers in The Outsiders North American Tour
Photo by Matthew Murphy
THE OUTSIDERS opened on Broadway on April 11, 2024, to rave reviews and continues to play to sold out houses at the Jacobs Theatre (242 West 45th Street). The New York Post proclaims THE OUTSIDERS as “THE BEST NEW MUSICAL OF THE
SEASON." “STUNNING THINGS ARE HAPPENING ON THE STAGE OF THE JACOBS THEATER. Electrifying. Astonishing.
Endlessly effective. THE OUTSIDERS has been made with so much love and sincerity. It is fair to call it golden." says The New York Times. Entertainment Weekly says, “THE OUTSIDERS has a heart of gold and THE POWER TO INSPIRE AN ENTIRE GENERATION.” “AN EXHILARATING WORLD OF MOVEMENT WITH HIGH-OCTANE CHOREOGRAPHY,” states New York Magazine. Time Out New York calls it “RAW AND MORE PULSE-POUNDING than anything else on Broadway right now."
Productions, The Broadway Investor’s Club, Starhawk Productions, Distant Rumble, GTR Productions, Green Leaf Partnership, Michael & Elizabeth Venuti, Leslie Kavanaugh, Deborah & Dave Smith, Belle Productions, Chas & Jen Grossman, Rungnapa & Jim Teague, Michael & Molly Schroeder, Casey & Chelsea Baugh, Jim & Emily Flautt, Jon L. Morris, Becky Winkler, William Moran Hickey Jr. & William Moran Hickey III, Melissa Chamberlain & Michael McCartney, Wavelength Productions, Rob O’Neill & Shane Snow, Eric Stine, Rachel Weinstein, Cornice Productions and La Jolla Playhouse.
The Grammy-nominated Original Broadway Cast Recording of THE OUTSIDERS from Sony Masterworks Broadway is now available HERE.
The world premiere of THE OUTSIDERS was produced by La Jolla Playhouse, Christopher Ashley, Artistic Director and Debby Buchholz, Managing Director, in March 2023. OutsidersMusical.com
Follow THE OUTSIDERS on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
(L-R) Bonale Fambrini and Nolan White in The Outsiders North American Tour
TICKET INFORMATION (as of 8/3/26, based on availability and subject to change)
Individual tickets range from $49.00-$165.00 and may be purchased at www.BroadwayInChicago.com or any Broadway In Chicago box office. A select number of premium seats are available. Additional fees apply for online purchases. For groups of 10 or more, email Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at GroupSales@BroadwayInChicago.com or call (312) 977-1710. Subscribers may add tickets to their subscription by clicking here or by calling (312) 977-1717. Patrons can participate in a Digital Lottery for a chance to purchase $30 tickets for each performance. In addition to the lottery, a limited number of $49 rush tickets will be offered for each performance – available only in person at the box office.
(L-R) Bonale Fambrini, Tyler Jordan Wesley, and Nolan White in The Outsiders North American Tour
WEEK 1
Tuesday August 4 7:00 PM
Wednesday August 5 7:00 PM
Thursday August 6 7:00 PM
Friday August 7 7:00 PM
Saturday August 8 2:00 PM
Saturday August 8 7:30 PM
Sunday August 9 1:00 PM
Sunday August 9 6:30 PM
WEEK 2
Tuesday August 11 7:00 PM
Wednesday August 12 1:00 PM
Wednesday August 12 7:00 PM
Thursday August 13 7:00 PM
Friday August 14 7:00 PM
Saturday August 15 2:00 PM
Saturday August 15 7:30 PM
Sunday August 16 1:00 PM
ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO
Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 26 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including the Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, James M. Nederlander Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place and presenting Broadway shows at The Auditorium™
For more information and tickets, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.
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