OU Alumni Contribute To Success Of Tony Award-Winning Musical

After winning a Tony award in its first year on Broadway, a group of University of Oklahoma alumni who worked on the musical are soaking in the big win.

Five years ago, John Tupy was performing at Catlett Theater down at OU's campus in Norman, and now he’s in New York City managing the business side of this Oklahoma-inspired success.

"It is a story that I have always been around," "The Outsiders" business manager John Tupy said. "To come to New York to see that not just Oklahomans care about it, but there's a huge following of the story here in New York too."

With a record-breaking number of new musicals this season, Tupy said winning the Tony for “Best Musical” is the cherry on top of an amazing debut.

While Tupy is on the other side of the stage from his fellow OU alumni, he said it is amazing to see Sooners living their dreams.

As a native Tulsan, the story of "The Outsiders" means the world to him.

"This universal message to it, this brotherhood, this spirit of camaraderie," Tupy said. "That is so akin to what I know from my experience in Oklahoma, and it's nice to see that translated on stage here in New York."

Tupy said awards don’t make or break how long a show is on Broadway, but winning the "Best Musical" Tony allows comfort and job security.

Tickets for "The Outsiders" musical at the Jacobs Theater in New York City are on sale until January of next year.