Character Breakdown (In Order of Appearance)

OUTSIDERS

Character breakdown (in order of appearance)

PONYBOY – A 14 yr. old“greaser” teen; younger than most of the other boys in the play. His hair is long and loaded with oil. He’s sensitive and insecure, thoughtful and aware. Youngest brother of DARRY and SODAPOP,

he feels he’s always under DARRY’s thumb, and not respected by him.

BOB -- A “social” with an attitude; spoiling for a fight. CHERRY’S boyfriend.

RANDY -- A “social” with an attitude; spoiling for a fight (when he’s with BOB).

JOHNNY –A “greaser”; friend of PONYBOY, 16 yrs old. He has a scar on his face (from what?) , and the nervous look that comes from having had a recent and terrible beating.(by whom?) He is jumpy, shy and quiet, but principled.

Hangs out with DALLAS. (why?)

DALLAS --A “greaser”, tougher than the rest.Tougher, colder, meaner.Always ready for a fight, he was recently released from jail. (What did he do? Why?)

Sometimes works as a rodeo bull-rider.Respects and likes JOHNNY.

TWO-BIT – A “greaser”; same age as DALLAS. He has a wide grin, and always has to get inhis “two-bits”, hence his name.Commits petty theft for the thrill of it.

A bit of a jokester, a wise-ass.Also fond and protective of JOHNNY.

DARRY – PONYBOY’s eldest brother. He is the head of their “family”. Tough, cool, and smart. Tall and muscular, he’s twenty years old, but he looks older.

Works hard to support his brothers. A good athlete, but unable to afford college, he remained where he was, trapped by his responsibilities.

SODAPOP -- PONYBOY’s older brother. Handsome, with a finely drawn, sensitive face.Gentle and thoughtful; in love with SANDY.

He has dropped out of school, andnow works at the gas station.

He is a buffer between PONYBOY and DARRY.

SANDY – A “greaser” girl; SODAPOP’S girlfriend. She’s more gentle and thoughtful than the usual “greaser” girls. Besides school, she works, and has a troubled home life, with a difficult mom. (what happened to Dad?)

OUTSIDERS / Character breakdown (p2)

CHERRY – A “social” girl; cheerleader. Her real name is “Sherrie” but is called “Cherry” because of her hair color. Smart, strong and aware, she stands up for herself, and for what’s right. She sees something different from the rest, in PONYBOY.

MARCIA – A “social” girl.A little gullible, and a little cynical, but level-headed.

Best friend to CHERRY.

JERRY – Church organizer, good-hearted, real.

MRS. O’BRIANT – Church organizer. Kind, real.

DOCTOR – straightforward, no nonsense.Neutral, with a clear mission.

NURSE – Firm, but compassionate. A professional.

JOHNNY’s MOTHER – (voice off)

PAUL – “Soc” fighter (at the rumble).Former classmate, teammate of DARRY’s.

POSSIBLE EXTRAS – church fire kids/parents?

Greasers and Socs for the rumble.