BroadwayRadio — Special Episode: Bonale Fambrini on Bringing ‘The Outsiders’ to Orlando

Date: December 16, 2025
Host: Matt Tamanini
Guest: Bonale Fambrini (Johnny Cade in The Outsiders National Tour)

Main Theme & Episode Purpose

This special episode focuses on the experience of Bonale Fambrini as he brings the Tony Award-winning musical The Outsiders to Orlando’s Dr. Phillips Center. Fambrini offers behind-the-scenes insights on touring with the national production, discusses the rigorous physical and emotional demands of the show, and reflects on the enduring legacy and impact of The Outsiders both as a story and as a musical. The conversation highlights how the cast maintains safety and camaraderie, the unique theatrical elements of the production, and what it means to connect with fans across generations.

Detailed Breakdown & Key Discussion Points

Life on Tour & Company Camaraderie

• Adjusting to the Road:

  • Fambrini admits living out of a suitcase and being away from home is challenging, but the shared experience with the cast is comforting.
  • Quote:

    "It's nice because remembering that the entire cast is separated from home… we're all going through it together. That's super, super comforting."
    — Bonale Fambrini [03:45]

• Found Family:

  • The production’s focus on family and bonds is mirrored in the real relationships between cast and crew.
  • Fambrini recently experienced a personal loss, and the company’s support was vital:

    "This entire company was there for me, reaching out every day, spending time with me, making sure I’m ok, both on and off stage."
    — Bonale Fambrini [04:27]

Building the Character of Johnny Cade

• References & Inspirations:

  • Fambrini researched both S.E. Hinton’s novel and the 1983 film, as well as Skye’s portrayal on Broadway, but focuses on bringing authenticity to his rendition.
  • Quote:

    "I kind of used both the book and the movie… as guidelines. If something resonated, I’d use it, but I find myself developing Johnny more and more every day."
    — Bonale Fambrini [05:53]

• Bonale's Unique Take:

  • Emphasizes Johnny’s vulnerability and quiet complexity:

    "I like to think that my Johnny has this vulnerability… I tend to show a little bit more, maybe that anxiety behind the character. He doesn't have the most lines ever… so I've been really trying to find ways to express that."
    — Bonale Fambrini [06:51]

• Dynamics With the Other "Greasers":

  • Johnny’s role as "little brother" and moments of drastic shifts in mood contribute to the emotional impact of his character.
  • Quote:

    "Whenever you are seeing Johnny, he’s either being a little brother or… then there’s the violent scenes where it’s such a huge dramatic shift."
    — Bonale Fambrini [08:01]

Staging, Physicality, and Safety

• Physical Demands & Fight Calls:

  • Before each show, the cast rehearses fight and lift choreography with modified intensity to ensure everyone is coordinated and safe:

    "We’ll do [the scene] at 20% effort… making sure we’re all on the same page… For certain scenes… we do 90%. The rumble, only 65%. It’s all about holding back."
    — Bonale Fambrini [10:00]

  • Importance of both physical and mental safety:

    "Another super crucial thing is the mental aspect... you’re about to throw me onto this car and choke the hell out of me — we’re still cool, you know?"
    — Bonale Fambrini [11:08]

• Company Physical Therapy:

  • The tour travels with a physical therapist to help maintain everyone's health for the eight-show weeks.

• Unique Stage & Technical Elements:

  • The stage surface features black EPDM pellets, similar to those found on athletic turf.

    "It's antibacterial or antimicrobial turf… that's what the Coopermans discovered works best."
    — Bonale Fambrini [12:58]

  • These pellets replaced earlier attempts to use sawdust or mud for safety and consistency.

Artistic Vision & Audience Response

• Director Danya Taymor's Approach:

  • Emphasis is placed on story and character over spectacle. The musical is deeply plot- and message-driven.

    "Her priority… is definitely story first. Obviously the songs are beautiful, but at the end of the day, we are telling this message first."
    — Bonale Fambrini [14:29]

• Visual and Technical Brilliance:

  • Lighting and dynamic visual staging are crucial to the production’s emotional power:

    "The lighting… it’s magical to see. So much of this show is visually magic."
    — Matt Tamanini [15:37]

• Performing in Tulsa:

  • Opening the tour in the story’s hometown carried unique pressure and emotional resonance.

    "Performing this multi-generational story in its hometown… you can't help but feel this pressure. But after being in Tulsa and seeing how welcoming everyone is… all that nervousness went away."
    — Bonale Fambrini [16:47]

The Personal Experience and Fan Connection

• Touring During the Holidays:

  • Fambrini looks forward to spending time with Florida-based friends and family during the Orlando stop.

• Memorable Onstage Moments:

  • Favorite moment to witness: the song "Throwing in the Towel," performed by the Curtis brothers.

    "I want to just watch and see this brotherly love, but I have to lay down facing away from them every single night… I’m lucky enough to hear it on stage, but sometimes I just want to roll over and be like, ah, yeah, this is good."
    — Bonale Fambrini [19:42]

  • Most meaningful to perform: the song "Stay Gold."

    "It's a very sweet moment… for a lot of people that's when the floodgates kind of open… Stay Gold is definitely my favorite to act through."
    — Bonale Fambrini [20:42]

• Fan Interactions:

  • The stage door experience and the devotion of fans — some dressing as characters, sharing tattoos, or gifting jewelry — have been a revelation.

    "Now being at the stage door, seeing children dressed up as Johnny Cade or Cherry Valance… people show me their tattoos of 'Stay Gold,' it's really eye-opening just to see how impactful it is."
    — Bonale Fambrini [22:14]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On company support:

  "I've forged such a nice second family… they were really, like, truly, I love all of these people, every single one of them. It's amazing."
  — Bonale Fambrini [04:27]

• On developing Johnny:

  "Every single day, I'm finding new things… a new way that I can perform a line or whatever it may be."
  — Bonale Fambrini [05:53]

• On stage safety:

  "It's all about holding back. Because if the violence becomes too genuine, that's when things start to get dangerous."
  — Bonale Fambrini [10:00]

• On Tulsa's response:

  "They truly laid out the red carpet for us… sparking up crazy conversations or telling their experience with 'The Outsiders.'"
  — Bonale Fambrini [16:47]

• On fan impact:

  "I cannot tell you how many bracelets I have of Johnny or whatever it may be. It's always, always so supportive… the fan base is amazing."
  — Bonale Fambrini [22:14]

Timed Highlights

• [03:45] – Fambrini reflects on the challenges and comfort of touring.
• [04:27] – Describes the cast's support after a personal loss.
• [05:53] – Discusses his approach to playing Johnny, combining influences.
• [06:51] – How he brings extra vulnerability to his portrayal.
• [08:01] – Explains the "little brother" dynamic in the show and its importance.
• [10:00] – Details on pre-show fight and lift calls for safety.
• [12:58] – Reveals the technical "epdm" pellets on the stage.
• [14:29] – On Danya Taymor’s story-focused direction.
• [16:47] – Recounting the experience of opening in Tulsa, OK.
• [19:42] – Talks about his favorite musical moment to hear each night, "Throwing in the Towel."
• [20:42] – Shares why "Stay Gold" is his favorite to perform.
• [22:14] – The surreal experience of engaging with passionate fans at the stage door.

Closing Notes

The episode is a heartfelt look into what makes The Outsiders unique as a stage production: the blend of high-stakes physical theater, emotionally resonant storytelling, and a supportive, tight-knit company. Fambrini’s reflections are candid and full of gratitude — both for his colleagues and the fervent fan base the show has inspired. The Orlando run is framed as both a professional highlight and a personal homecoming, offering fans a chance to experience the magic of The Outsiders up close during the holiday season.