OK. Let's talk #TheOutsiders on Broadway, a very long 🧵: I want to preface this by saying this is all extremely raw right now, the musical finished less than 3hrs ago. So, all my emotions are still buzzing. Anyway. #TheOutsidersBway is pure, raw, amazing theater. (1/?)

It evoked what may be my most emotional reaction to any piece of media—not just theater, not even just art, media as a whole. I recommend going in blind if you can. I read the book about 10 years ago, brushed up on the Wikipedia synopsis of the book a couple days ago, (2/?)

And read some early reaction Tweets after the first couple previews. This was on purpose. I think not having everything fresh enough in my mind that I had story or thematic expectations (#IYKYK) enhanced the experience. As for the show, I have to start with the music. (3/?)

You know a song is powerful if you not only cry through the whole thing, but also immediately start crying when a reprise starts, or even when the musical theme comes up briefly. (ftr: when I talk about crying here, I mean it so, so positively) For those who've seen it, (4/?)

I'm referring to the song with the reading light and all the stars. I'm describing it vaguely, because again: go in blind if you can. Overall, none of the songs felt out of tune (haha) with the story, or the other songs, at that. Don't be fooled by what look like tropes, (5/?)

Many of the slowest songs are actually the funniest or most joyful, while many of the more jaunty, upbeat ones deliver some of the best emotional moments throughout the musical. It does not re-tell the novel perfectly, but as someone who hasn't read it in a long time, I (6/?)

Certainly felt that the musical was perfectly authentic to its source material. Moving on—something exciting about the April 14 performance was that it marked Ponyboy understudy Trevor Wayne's second performance in the leading role. He was brilliant. Again, I tried to go (7/?)

In knowing as little as possible about the show, so I had the joy of not even subconsciously comparing his Ponyboy with Brody Grant's. Now, finally watching the promo material I tried to avoid, I can see that Wayne makes this role his own, and I'm so glad I got to see it. (8/?)

Of course, the entire cast is amazing too. Like I've said in other reviews, I'd love to pick a standout, but I can't, they are all amazing. Now, about the moment that I've seen talked about the most: the rumble. It is breathtaking, and visceral, to say the absolute least. (9/?)

I'll be the millionth person to praise the elemental effects (both in the rumble and throughout the show as a whole), and that still won't even begin to cover just how incredible they are. People often say that fighting is a dance, this show takes that literally in such a (10/?)

Masterful way. I will continue to think about the choreography of that scene in particular for a very, very long time. Movement is an art in #OutsidersBway The lighting, sets, props, and costumes were, of course, brilliant. I was immersed in a way only comparable (11/?)

To #GreatComet and #BwayGatsby. I never wanted the show to end, because I felt so present in the story and its world. If you are lucky enough to have an opportunity to see The Outsiders on Broadway, take it. #StayGold (12/12, end of thread).