The Bridgewater-Raritan High School Theatre Arts program presented an enchanting adaptation of SE Hinton’s iconic novel, The Outsiders, from Thursday, December 4 to Saturday, December 6.

This play had the honor of being the first production in the high school’s newly renovated auditorium.

Tickets were $8 for students and seniors and $12 for adults. In addition, there were treats for the actors, flower sales, and other concessions to further support the Bridgewater-Raritan Theatre Arts program.

The story follows the conflicts between two rival gangs: the Greasers, part of the working class, and the Socs, who come from the more privileged side of Tulsa, Oklahoma in the year 1965. Through the eyes of Ponyboy Curtis, an intelligent young Greaser, the audience explores the realities of how greatly one’s life can be impacted by their social status.

The story intensifies after a brutal confrontation leaves Ponyboy and a fellow Greaser, Johnny Cade, to go into hiding for causing the death of a Soc. After experiencing the fallout of a church fire and a final ‘rumble’ between the two groups, Ponyboy learns that though Greasers may appear as lesser than, the two social groups aren’t as different as they thought.

Starring as Ponyboy, freshman Madison Mattis reflected on her time with the cast.

“My experience with the Outsiders was amazing,” she said. “I had a strong group of people to lean on and talk to. I think having those people was a big part of why I loved it so much.”

Additionally, this sensational play could not have been possible without the countless after-school hours and dedication from Theatre Arts Director Heather Diaforli-Day; who was assisted in the show by Olivia Matko, who is the Advisor of the Drama Club at the Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School, and all the student actors and crew for the months of hard work that went into this production.

Another shout-out goes to the volunteers, the National Art Honors Society for set design and live percussionist and senior Ethan Wei.

Leaving the audience teary-eyed and impressed, The Outsiders is surely a play that will go down in Bridgewater-Raritan High School theater arts history.