On a blisteringly cold late winter Sunday, we headed to Times Square to watch The Notebook on Broadway. It was still in previews, so theater lovers and industry members piled into the Schoenfeld Theatre to experience a musical take on the beloved Nicholas Sparks film. What better way to make this tear-jerker of a story even more emotionally charged, than to put it live onstage and add poignant melodies by Ingrid Michaelson?
From the intricate staging to special effects, The Notebook’s stellar cast was lifted even higher by its production crew. The show begins with older Allie (Maryann Plunkett) and Noah (Dorian Harewood), when Allie is suffering from Alzheimer’s and can’t recognize the love of her life, her children, or her surroundings. Noah begins to read her their love story from his “notebook,” under the pretense that it’s just a work of fiction so she doesn’t get freaked out. You probably know the story, and if you somehow don’t, I won’t spoil it for you. From here, the production erupts with passion and excitement in the way only a live musical can.
Noah and Allie are introduced in all their various life stages: elderly, adult (Joy Woods and Ryan Vasquez), and teenage (Jordan Tyson and John Cardoza). Costume designer Paloma Young expertly tells the audience who’s who without being too obvious, as they are all wearing aspects of the same color but not the exact same outfit – brown for Noah, and classic blue for Allie.
Although the actors don’t necessarily all resemble one another, they are tied together by their costumes and beautiful staging by Michael Greif and Schele Williams (Directors) and Katie Spelman (Choreographer). All six main actors take center stage in the first musical number, “Time”, while the rest of the cast adds to the beauty of scene in the background. Younger Noah and Allie splash around downstage in a real pool of water, and the reflections of the pool shine on their faces, representing the beginning of their memories together. The water onstage is surprising, and stunning. Later in the show, water impresses once again with a full downpour on adult Allie and Noah as they take a romantic boat ride together, recreating one of the most iconic and charged scenes from the movie.
The choreography throughout the production was just incredible, with younger versions of the characters bursting through the older versions, making it all feel like a treasured memory. Some of the most touching scenes throughout the show are when Allie’s mother gives her the letters she hid from her, and when older Noah painstakingly and determinately makes his way to see Allie after his stay in the hospital, and she finally remembers him. A few details Bekah Brunstetter (playwright) modernizes in the musical version, like Noah not having to coerce Allie to go on a date with him, are much appreciated. Musical Noah also delves more into his emotional side, sharing the loss of his mother, and Allie takes a stronger stand against her parents in the name of love.
Overall, The Notebook was a force of emotion, love, and talent – some of the best 2 hours I’ve spent this month, and I highly recommend experiencing it. and read more here!
