Insight on the Outsiders
By Riley Moody
“Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay
gold.”
Probably the most known
quote from “The Outsiders” by
S.E. Hinton, this quote is the
staple of all things Outsiders.
As most people may know,
this year’s first play was a theatrical take on “The Outsiders.” In
comparison to the book, the play
was relatively close, with only a
few minor changes.
The play centers around Ponyboy Curtis (sophomore Marshall
Parish,) a 14-year-old boy living
with his two older brothers, Sodapop (Junior Alex Winters) and
Darry (freshman Preston Erks) in
urban Oklahoma. The three are
part of a close-knit group commonly known as “Greasers,” who
live on the east side of town.
Their group is in a constant ri-
stantly jumping one another on
the street and leading two very
different lives.
The Greasers are known for
living more difficult lives, commonly having less money and
rougher
home
lives. The
Socs, on
the other
hand, are
known
for their
wealth
and easygoing
home
lives.
The
Ponyboy, played by sophomore Marshall Parish, reads “Gone by the Wind”
plot of
to Johnny, played by junior Matt Loudon during a scene where they hide in
a church after killing Bob, played by Brady Pointer. Picture by Riley Moody/ the play
Hawktalk
begins
when
Ponyboy goes to the Drive-In
movies with two members of
the Greasers, Dallas and Johnny
(played by junior Matt Loudon.)
This is where they meet Socs
Cherry (played by Abi Stine) and
Marcia (played by Greta Gessert.)
Cherry and Ponyboy begin
talking, they realize they have a
lot more in common than they
previously thought. They become friends quickly, bonding
over how they both wish things
could change between the two
groups.
Ponyboy, played by sophomore Marshall Parish, Johnny, played by junior Matt Loudon,
and Dallas, played by senior David Lehmkuhl, stand outside of the burning church
As the band of new-found
talking to a school teacher, played by junior Maddie Pressler, who tells them about the
friends
leave the drive-in, howchildren stuck inside. Picture by Riley Moody/HawkTalk
ever, they have a run-in with
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valry with another group known
as “Socs,” short for “Socialites,”
who live on the west side of
town. The two had been against
each other for so long that no
one knew any different, con-
HAWK TALK
Cherry and Marcia’s
was easier in the
boyfriends. They go,
way that it altaking the girls with
lowed everyone
them, leaving just
to be seen, it was
Ponyboy and Johnny.
easy to work on,
The duo go to a park,
but when it came
where they have yet
to being on the
another run-in with
side getting ready
the Socs, where one of
to go on it was a
them ends up getting
struggle because
killed. This play has
there was a lot of
a lot of complicated
sliders and spacscenes, requiring a
ers that had room
very talented cast to
that really wasnt
make it believable.
accounted for, so
Dallas,
played
by
senior
David
Lehmkuhl,
eavesdrops
on
a
conversation
Luckily, that is exactly
there was a lot of
between Ponyboy, played by sophomore Marshall Parish, and Johnny, played
what we have. Ponyboy by junior Matt Loudon, where Johnny says he is afraid to die. Picture by
actors scrambling
is a believable character Riley Moody/HawkTalk
trying to get on
who pulls you into the
stage,” said Lehmstory and passes as his character to be this whole different person
kuhl.
and create how you want them
extremely well.
The stage differences were
to be. Practicing lines and figurCharacters less prevelant in
not only different for the cast,
ing out how you really feel really
the story, as well, had to make
but the crew as well.
sure their characters represented helps though,” said sophomore
“When I first heard the idea for
Lauren
Hinton
who
played
one
the time in which the play takes
the set changes I thought our set
of Sandy’s friends.
place.
director was crazy, but seeing
The
crew,
as
well,
have
a
dif“What I find really cool about
them come together now it was
it though, is for a while you get ficult job. This play is different
a really good idea and it came
from ones
together very smooth,” said Josh
in the past,
Barnett, sound crew cheif.
because the
Whether they work with lightstage is at a
ing or work backstage, it is not
slant, and is
as simple a task as some may
also seperthink it is, but in the end they do
able. The cast
an amazing job pulling the set
has to wheel
together and making everything
out each of
move very easily.
the sets, and
The play was fluid and very
also make
close to the book, with no room
sure to move
for mistakes. The crew and acthe stage
tors made it all believable, from
fast enough
sound effects to lighting. The
to create the
Southwest Theater team is a talillusion that
ented band of kids. Every person
the cast is
Johnny, played by junior Matt Loudon, shares his last words with
pulls it together to make the play
Ponyboy, played by sophomore Marshall Parish. Picture by Riley
walking.
Moody/HawkTalk
an experience that leaves you
“The set
with something to take home.
@LSWHawkTalk
13
HAWK TALK
SPOTLIGHT
3/1/16 8:49 AM