Many of you are familiar with the bestselling novel The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton, as well as the movie based on the book.  If you don’t know about it here is a brief introduction to the story.

The story follows a young teenage boy named Ponyboy who is a part of a group of “greasers.” He is close to both his brothers and his friends, but they have to deal with another group: the Socs. These are a gang of well off kids whose main form of entertainment is harassing the greasers. Everything is okay for Ponyboy, until someone takes matters too far. 

It is a wonderful story that is about coming of age, family, friendship, and having a place to belong. It has been described as a book written “about teenagers, for teenagers, and by a teenager” according to the New York Times. It provides an interesting perspective on life and relationships, why we do what we do, and seeing things from other people’s points of view.

This is the story that has been adapted for the stage and will also be the spring play at NCHS. Auditions were held in the theatre classroom (room 1086) after school on February 24th and 25th.  The characters include Ponyboy plus six more of the main greasers; a few main socs; Cherry and Marcia, the female leads; and a few more smaller roles. 

There are many other benefits to being in a play, such as improved self-confidence, a greater empathetic understanding of people, increased imagination, concentration and cooperative skills, improved memory, and even the benefit of physical fitness. 

The cast list includes:

Austin Foley as Ponyboy, Cuinn Lovelace as Johnny, Shane Trottier as Bob, Cameron Allender as Randy, Trenton Cothren as Dallas, Giuliana Engleman as Two-Bit, Logyn Chester as Darry, Andy Jozwik as Sodapop, Jillian Wallace as Sandy, Rhiannon McLean as Cherry, Brynly LaChance as Marcia, Mrs. Jackie O’Briant as Aster Harrison, Kelby Eisenman as Jerry, Jenny Gehred as the Doctor, Grace Boutte as the Nurse, Alyssa Hampton as Ms. Syme, Nick Goar as Paul. Understudies include: Kelby Eisenman, Tanner Bower, Samantha Hollister, Marquis Taggart and Kolbe Zettl.