Cody Spencer’s innovative sound design has propelled the musical adaptation of S.E. Hinton’s 1967 novel, “The Outsiders,” to Broadway acclaim. Spencer, who recently won the Tony Award for Best Sound Design of a Musical, has long been a behind-the-scenes genius in theaters across the globe.
Spencer’s low-profile nature became evident at the 2024 Tony Awards when he accidentally dropped an f-bomb while accepting his award. “If you put me in front of 1,000 people and tell me to talk about myself, I freak out,” said Spencer, a St. Louis native now based in New York. His acceptance speech, cut off before he could thank his fiancée Victoria Bullard, highlighted his preference for staying out of the limelight.
Spencer’s award was one of four Tonys won by “The Outsiders,” including Best Musical, Best Lighting Design, and Best Direction of a Musical by Danya Taymor. The musical, which opened at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre in April, brings to life Hinton’s story of Ponyboy Curtis and his experiences with the Greasers gang in 1967 Tulsa, Oklahoma.
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Featuring songs by Justin Levine and Jamestown Revival, “The Outsiders” follows Ponyboy (played by Brody Grant) and his friend Johnny Cade (Sky Lakota-Lynch) as they navigate a violent turf war with the rival Socs. The musical’s “Rumble” sequence, with its dramatic use of water, dirt, and choreography, has become a standout moment.
The musical’s journey to Broadway included a successful run at the La Jolla Playhouse in California, where Angelina Jolie joined as a producer, influenced by her daughter Vivienne. Spencer’s cutting-edge sound design, employing the L-ISA immersive audio system by L-Acoustics, was key in enhancing the audience’s experience, making them feel part of the action.
Spencer’s collaboration with L-ISA, previously used by artists like Adele and Katy Perry, has set a new standard for Broadway sound design. “We were able to make sound a character in this show,” Spencer explained, noting how the immersive audio technology helped tell the story more effectively.
Following his Tony win, Spencer is now working on new Broadway projects, including the psychological thriller “Job” and a reimagined “Romeo and Juliet” directed by Sam Gold, featuring music by Grammy winner Jack Antonoff. Spencer is excited about working with Antonoff, praising his enthusiasm for Broadway and promising a fresh take on the classic play.
Spencer’s contributions to “The Outsiders” and his ongoing projects signal a bright future for innovative sound design on Broadway, enhancing storytelling and audience engagement in ways never seen before.
