La Jolla Playhouse-born musical 'The Outsiders' achieves rare Broadway feat

The Tony Award-winning show has recouped its $22 million investment, a rarity for new Broadway musicals.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 7:47pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The musical 'The Outsiders,' which premiered at La Jolla Playhouse in 2023 and opened on Broadway in 2024, has become one of the most successful new Broadway musicals in years. The show's producers announced that as of December 2025, they had recouped the show's entire $22 million initial investment, a rare accomplishment in the high-cost Broadway theater industry.

Why it matters

Recouping a Broadway musical's initial investment is extremely challenging due to the skyrocketing production costs, making 'The Outsiders' achievement all the more remarkable. The musical's success highlights La Jolla Playhouse's role as an incubator for new works and demonstrates that audiences are still eager for compelling, original stories on the Broadway stage.

The details

Based on the 1967 novel and 1983 film of the same name, 'The Outsiders' is a Tony Award-winning musical with a book by Adam Rapp and a score by the Texas folk music duo Jamestown Revival and Justin Levine. The show, about a group of teenage boys from the wrong side of the tracks in 1960s Tulsa, Oklahoma, opened on Broadway in April 2024 and has since played over 760 performances to more than 781,000 audience members.

  • The Outsiders' world premiere was at La Jolla Playhouse in March 2023.
  • The musical opened on Broadway on April 11, 2024.
  • Two months later, in June 2024, it won four Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
  • As of December 28, 2025, the show's producers announced they had recouped the $22 million initial investment.

The players

La Jolla Playhouse

A regional theater in San Diego, California, that is known for developing new plays and musicals.

The Outsiders

A Tony Award-winning musical based on the 1967 novel and 1983 film of the same name, featuring a book by Adam Rapp and a score by the Texas folk music duo Jamestown Revival and Justin Levine.

The Araca Group

One of the lead production companies behind the Broadway run of 'The Outsiders' musical.

Angelina Jolie

A film star who is one of the producers of the Broadway production of 'The Outsiders' musical.

Debby Buchholz

The managing director of La Jolla Playhouse.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Watching it thrive on Broadway has been a profound source of pride for everyone at La Jolla Playhouse.”

— Debby Buchholz, Managing Director, La Jolla Playhouse (sandiegouniontribune.com)

“We're thrilled by how audiences have embraced and supported 'The Outsiders' … We look forward to seeing it continue to impact current and future generations of theatergoers for many years to come.”

— Matthew Rego, Michael Rego, and Hank Unger, Producers, The Araca Group (sandiegouniontribune.com)

What’s next

A North American touring production of 'The Outsiders' is now underway, and future productions are planned in London's West End, Asia, and Australia.

The takeaway

The remarkable success of 'The Outsiders' musical, which recouped its entire $22 million investment, demonstrates that there is still a strong appetite for original, compelling stories on the Broadway stage. This achievement is a testament to the creative team's vision, the show's resonance with audiences, and the crucial role that regional theaters like La Jolla Playhouse play in developing new works for the national stage.