The Outsiders

Experience the powerful story of friendship, identity, loyalty, and belonging when The Outsiders comes to San Francisco’s Orpheum Theatre from Wednesday, December 9 through Sunday, December 27, 2026. Part of the musical’s national tour, this acclaimed production brings S.E. Hinton’s beloved coming-of-age story to the stage in a dynamic new musical adaptation filled with emotional storytelling, compelling characters, and an original score.

Set in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1967, The Outsiders follows Ponyboy Curtis, his best friend Johnny Cade, and their close-knit group of Greasers. Living on the margins of society, the Greasers find themselves caught in an ongoing conflict with the wealthier Socs. As tensions between the two groups escalate, Ponyboy and Johnny are forced to confront difficult questions about friendship, family, identity, class, and the kind of people they hope to become.

At its heart, The Outsiders is a story about young people trying to find their place in a world that seems determined to define them by where they come from. The musical explores the complicated realities behind the rivalry between the Greasers and Socs while emphasizing the bonds that hold the Greasers together. Through moments of danger, tenderness, rebellion, and self-discovery, Ponyboy begins to see that people are more complicated than the labels placed upon them.

The production features a book by Adam Rapp with Justin Levine, with music and lyrics by Jamestown Revival’s Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance and Tony Award winner Justin Levine. Justin Levine also provides music supervision, orchestration, and arrangements. Rick Kuperman and Jeff Kuperman handle choreography, while Tony Award winner Danya Taymor directs.

The musical made a major impact on Broadway, winning four 2024 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Its combination of an emotionally charged story, dynamic staging, and contemporary original music has helped introduce this classic coming-of-age tale to a new generation. Entertainment Weekly praised the production for having the power to inspire an entire generation.

The San Francisco engagement runs for more than two weeks, giving audiences numerous opportunities to experience the production between December 9 and December 27, 2026. The performance runs approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one intermission, allowing the story to unfold with plenty of room for its characters, music, and dramatic moments to resonate.

Whether you grew up with Hinton’s novel, remember the iconic film, or are discovering The Outsiders for the first time, this stage adaptation offers a fresh way to experience its enduring themes. At the center is a simple but powerful idea: even in a divided world, friendship, compassion, and hope can help people see beyond the boundaries that separate them.

With its award-winning pedigree, energetic musical style, and deeply human story, The Outsiders promises an engaging and emotionally resonant theater experience at San Francisco’s Orpheum Theatre this December.