5 Reasons to See Dead Outlaw on Broadway

What makes a Broadway musical? What kind of stories can it tell? Dead Outlaw, which opened on Broadway April 27, has broken free of the boundaries typically placed on musicals to bring something deeply original to the stage.

Written by David Yazbek and Itamar Moses (the Tony-winning team behind The Band's Visit), and Erik Della Penna, the musical is based on the bizarre-but-somehow-completely-true story of Elmer McCurdy. He was an outlaw living in the turn-of-the-20th-century whose premature death ended a life of failed crime and alcoholism, but it began a brilliant career as a mummified side-show attraction that traveled the USA for decades.

The show, which was one of the most award-winning musicals of 2024 for its Off-Broadway premiere, is now peddling its trademark awe and amusement at the Longacre Theatre. Below are five reasons every theatre lover should see Dead Outlaw during its Broadway run.

1. Irresistible Songs

Dead Outlaw began as a personal passion project for composer David Yazbek and you can feel his love for the material in every note of his score. He and his good friend, lyricist Erik Della Penna have created a score that critics call “musically adventurous” and “blisteringly fun.” The music spans a remarkable range—twangy country, brooding blues, raw rockabilly, and honky-tonk, often within the same scene. This eclectic mix doesn’t just set a mood—it builds the world of Elmer McCurdy.

The blend has resulted in one of the best scores of Yazbek's career. Drawing on the mid-century Outlaw Country movement—pioneered by Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson—the show is packed to the brim with songs reflecting on the idiosyncratic ways in which our lives weave together, creating a portrait of humanity that allows each colorful character in Elmer's life to also stand in the spotlight.

Whether you're a teenager struggling to find your place in this world, a hard-working entrepreneur doing your best to make ends meet, a diligent worker yearning for your talents to be recognized, or the kind of person who will beat insurmountable odds to take care of your family—Yazbek and Della Penna have written a song that is sure to inspire you.

Trent Saunders in *Dead Outlaw* Matthew Murphy

2. Guttural Glee

If you're the type of person who loves irony, dark humor, wordplay, and observational comedy, Dead Outlaw will leave you out of breath from the relentless pace at which it delivers laugh lines.

Elmer McCurdy’s true story is so strange it feels made up: a failed outlaw whose corpse toured the country for decades. Book writer Itamar Moses lean into this absurdity without mocking it, crafting a script that’s both irreverent and respectful. The humor is wry and often biting, but it’s grounded in compassion. As the show invites you to laugh at the outrageousness of McCurdy’s fate, it also opens the door to consider what it says about legacy, spectacle, and the American obsession with fame. It manages to be cynical and sincere at the same time—a tone that’s hard to strike, but deeply rewarding when done right.

From McCurdy's failed attempts at a life of crime to his long-awaited funeral send-off, Dead Outlaw will leave black humor fans with a stitch in their side. Meanwhile, those who appreciate the tight twists and turns of the plot will cackle at the increasingly unexpected experiences McCurdy endured in his afterlife.

Andrew Durand and Julia Knitel in *Dead Outlaw* Matthew Murphy

3. The Powerful Ensemble

While many theatre fans think of chorus performers when they hear the term ensemble, that term can also be applied to a tight-knit company of actors. In Dead Outlaw, a small group of excellent actors come together to create something wholly their own. Director David Cromer has assembled one of the best ensembles around, with lead Andrew Durand supported by some of the most engaging performers New York has to offer. Durand delivers a performance that is as tragic as it is charismatic, infused with raw vulnerability. Then, when McCurdy unceremoniously dies, the balance of power shifts to the ensemble, who nimbly switch between multiple roles, genres, and tones.

READ: Dead Outlaw Is an 'Original Little Show With an Oversized Heart'

You’re not just watching a central performance—you’re watching a troupe emboding a legend. There’s something very old-school theatre about the entire endeavor—actors transforming through voice, posture, and presence rather than costume or scenery alone. While some of Dead Outlaw's colorful cast are beloved Broadway vets (including Jeb Brown, Eddie Cooper, and Ken Marks), others are just now stepping into significant public acclaim—with Julia Knitel, Trent Saunders, and Dashiell Eaves turning out three career-making performances that are sure to have audiences explaining they "saw them when" years down the line.

Even Thom Sesma, who made his Broadway debut 40 years ago, is turning out a career-best performance thanks to the supportive foundation provided by this excellent cast and creative team. Every member of the shows airtight cast brings something vital to the table, crafting a rich tapestry of intersecting stories that is not to be missed.

Thom Sesma in *Dead Outlaw* Matthew Murphy

4. It's Unlike Anything Else on Broadway

Dead Outlaw is rooted in the surreal. While you might think it's a conventional Broadway bio-musical, Dead Outlaw takes a more bizarre approach. It’s not a hero’s journey or a romantic escapade—it's about a man who sought fame in life but only achieved it after death in the most macabre way. This premise alone is unusual for Broadway.

Dead Outlaw is more than just entertainment—it's a sharp commentary on how we process and consume stories about real-life figures, especially when those stories are tied to death and notoriety. The musical subtly invites audiences to reflect on how we use tragic or odd tales for entertainment and what this reveals about our culture’s obsession with fame, and its dehumanizing effect.

READ: 'Most Famous Musicals Are Bad Ideas': Director David Cromer Reflects on His Busy Season and the State of the Theatre

Elmer McCurdy’s story is one of those bizarre, tragic, and strangely poetic tales from American history that offers significant insight into life, identity, and the way we remember (or forget). Ultimately, McCurdy’s story suggests that life’s meaning might not lie in legacy, fame, or even definable achievements. Instead, the best of life is in the small human experiences we share in the present moment, the connections we make with others, and the choices we make about who we want to be. And Dead Outlaw expresses that poignant message in a funny, catchy, memorable fashion.

Julia Knitel and Andrew Durand in *Dead Outlaw* Matthew Murphy

5. It's the Essence of Theatre

While Dead Outlaw is undeniably breaking new ground, it is also a return to form for an art form as ancient as spoken language. Ancient storytelling—whether in Ancient Greek theatre, epic poetry, or oral traditions—prioritized narrative and character over elaborate spectacle. From The Odyssey to The Epic of Gilgamesh, the stories of deeply flawed characters like McCurdy, whose journeys and internal struggles play out in vivid detail, are the very basis of drama itself.

READ: Dead Outlaw Composer David Yazbek Uses a Dead Body for a Lesson in Living

Dead Outlaw follows the tradition of ancient storytelling by ensuring that the spectacle never overtakes the narrative. The production uses symbolism, character-driven drama, and emotional engagement to tell McCurdy's story—keeping the focus on the human condition, the absurdity of fame, and the fleeting nature of life. In doing so, it preserves the essence of ancient storytelling—where the narrative, rather than the spectacle, is the true star of the show. It’s a true tale that needs no distracting embellishments, and it is not to be missed.

Get tickets to see Dead Outlaw here.