Star-To-Be: The Outsiders' Brent Comer

If you are at all familiar with the film version of The Outsiders, you know that as great as he was, Patrick Swayze had a pretty small role as Darrel Curtis, Ponyboy's oldest brother. So, when I saw the musical version on Broadway a few weeks ago, I didn't expect I would see much of whoever would take on part. Boy, was I wrong! Not only did Adam Rapp and Justin Levine's book expand the role, but the young actor playing the character was wonderful in it. Nuanced and heartfelt, Broadway newcomer Brent Comer became one of the emotional centers of 2024's Best Musical and catapulted himself to the top of my list of new talent to follow. 

🌟Star-to-Be🌟

The Outsiders' Brent Comer

A regular in the local theater scene of Western Maryland, Comer played such roles as The Baker in Into the Woods, Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid, and Melchior in Spring Awakening. While earning his degree in musical theater from James Madison University in Virginia, he had featured roles in the family musical Schoolhouse Rock Live! and as the Wolf/Cinderella's Prince in Into the Woods. His professional debut came when he was cast in the 2019 National Tour of Les Miserables, which got cut short due to the pandemic. Then, he got an even better break when he was cast as Paul in the pre-Broadway production of The Outsiders at La Jolla Playhouse. Before transferring to the Jacobs Theatre, he was promoted to the role of Darrel when its originator, Ryan Vasquez, went on to The Notebook. The rest is history - and I suspect Mr. Comer will have a long career on stage.

The Little Mermaid

Into the Woods/Spring Awakening

Rehearsing Schoolhouse Rock Live!

Into the Woods (left)

Promo Shots

Production Photos

Opening Night with Angelina Jolie