The La Grange Area Teen Theater Ensemble will bring to life an iconic coming-of-age story set in the last century for its fall production.
“The Outsiders,” based on a book by S.E Hinton that became a staple of high school English classes and a 1983 film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, tells the story of group conflict between two gangs of teens in 1960s Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The actor playing the story’s narrator said it’s a challenging role.
“I would say it’s very different to play Ponyboy, not only because he’s a male and I’m female,” said Parker Larson, 14, of La Grange. “But because he has very in-depth emotions and is very different from any of the other characters.”
Indeed, Ponyboy — portrayed in the film by C. Thomas Howell — might be one of the lower-working class gang, but he’s a little different from his fellow “Greasers.” He reads books, does well in school, and is generally thoughtful in his narration of the story of his group’s conflicts with the Socs (short for Socials).
Larson’s portrayal of a male character parallels the experience of Hinton, whose initials stand for Susan Eloise. She began writing the book in high school and, not wanting to be dismissed by critics as a female writing about largely male subject matter, she went by her initials.
Felicia Pfluger, founder and artistic director of the ensemble that’s now in its 15th year, also noted that parallel and spoke of the universal nature of the story.
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“The Outsiders transcends time and still speaks to us since S.E. Hinton, a girl masquerading as a boy, wrote it in high school, a half-century ago,” she said. “We see that even though society may change, the experience of being an outsider is something that everybody has felt at one time or another, at any age.”
Pfluger uses a stage adaptation by Christopher Sergel and said many of the actors watched the movie, and listened to the soundtrack of a musical version of the show.
Several cast members, including Larson and 16-year-old Olivia Mulcahy, of Western Springs, have been in several LATTE productions.
Mulcahy plays Darry Curtis, Ponyboy’s older brother, who’s only 20, but is tasked with the responsibility of taking care of his younger brothers after their parents were killed in an automobile accident.
“Darry is the oldest brother, who might come off harsh, but really just wants to keep his family together and safe,” she said.
Mulcahy, who is also an assistant director in training, talked about how different the acting was from her previous roles.
“I haven’t really done any kind of show like this before,” she said. “The fighting and stage combat isn’t something I’ve ever done before and it’s a lot of fun. Also, creating the multiple family relationships throughout is a very different challenge. I hope the show touches people deeply.”
Another LATTE veteran, 15-year-old Evelyn D’Apice, of La Grange, plays Johnny, the “Greaser” who has, in some ways, the hardest life.
“My character is pretty emotional and has had a hard life,” she said, noting she tried to draw on real-life experience. “That means watching people and thinking about what in my life I can draw from.”
Alongside the stage veterans, some actors, like Isi Kowalchuk, are relatively new to the LATTE family, having only played one part before.
The 15-year-old from Willowbrook plays Cherry Valance, who develops a friendship with Ponyboy and becomes the main female character of the play.
“I’m so excited for this upcoming production since I believe it will have an impact on people of all ages,” Kowalchuck said. “This book was one of my favorites and anyone who loves reading will love this show.”
The La Grange Area Teen Theater Ensemble’s production of the “Outsiders,” runs from Nov. 15-17 at the Plymouth Place Auditorium, 315 N. La Grange Rd. There will be evening performances each night and a matinee Saturday, Nov. 16.
Information and tickets are at latte.com.
Hank Beckman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.