THE NOTEBOOK Broadway Previews — Page 2

So what did we think?

Listed runtime: 2:20, including a 15-minute intermission

so … it sucked…right?

Well, one person asked if it sucked, seeming with expectations of that being the case... So not quite what you're implying.



Most of the actual comments were pretty positive.

Jordan Catalano said: "No, it didn't suck. I just didnt' write my thoughts last night because I wanted to think about it. It's a show based on a film I love wherethe cast was all wonderful, a lot of the score is great, staging isbeautiful and yet, it just let me feeling very "meh" and I don't know why. I'm a sap that cries at everything and for a classic tear-jerker, not even one tear, here -I even brought tissues! My reaction to this surprises me so much that I'm going to go back in a few weeks to see if I can figure it out.

Something that truly annoyed me(not enough to cloud the entire evening, though) is that Michael Greif has directed a dozen shows on Broadway and should absolutely know better than to stage that much action at the foot of the stage with people sitting down. At BEST these are scenes and songs (one full song in particular)partially obstructed for mostly everyone (I'd imagine) if not completely blocked as it was for me last night. Even the action on the far sides of the stage is set too close to the foot at times that could be blocked by heads. Maybe it was just the certain seat I was in (center front mezz) and the exact people in the few rows directly in front of me and it was more annoying to me than anyone else. *shrug*"

I agree with Jordan about the staging. We were front row center mezzanine and having to lean forward to see scenes happening at the front of the stage. I loved the music. It seems like a show that is best seen from the orchestra. I did like that the playbills had a first preview sticker and the fact that they gave out first preview keychains. I thought Joy Woods was a stand-out. Like Jordan, I expected a big cry but it did not hit me as emotionally as I expected.

This is not solely directed by Michael, and when you see The Wiz revival you will understand why The Notebook direction is so poor.

I wonder why Greif felt the need to have a co-director at all. The guy's easily one of the most commercially and artistically successful directors working in the theatre today, who said during the development of this show that he couldn't handle it on his own?

Alex Kulak2 said: "I wonder why Greif felt the need to have a co-director at all. The guy's easily one of the most commercially and artistically successful directors working in the theatre today, who said during the development of this show that he couldn't handle it on his own?"

I think it was simply a practical matter considering the number of shows he’s working on.

kennin said: "Jordan Catalano said: "No, it didn't suck. I just didnt' write my thoughts last night because I wanted to think about it. It's a show based on a film I love wherethe cast was all wonderful, a lot of the score is great, staging isbeautiful and yet, it just let me feeling very "meh" and I don't know why. I'm a sap that cries at everything and for a classic tear-jerker, not even one tear, here -I even brought tissues! My reaction to this surprises me so much that I'm going to go back in a few weeks to see if I can figure it out.

Something that truly annoyed me(not enough to cloud the entire evening, though) is that Michael Greif has directed a dozen shows on Broadway and should absolutely know better than to stage that much action at the foot of the stage with people sitting down. At BEST these are scenes and songs (one full song in particular)partially obstructed for mostly everyone (I'd imagine) if not completely blocked as it was for me last night. Even the action on the far sides of the stage is set too close to the foot at times that could be blocked by heads. Maybe it was just the certain seat I was in (center front mezz) and the exact people in the few rows directly in front of me and it was more annoying to me than anyone else. *shrug*"

I agree with Jordan about the staging. We were front row center mezzanine and having to lean forward to see scenes happening at the front of the stage. I loved the music. It seems like a show that is best seen from the orchestra. I did like that the playbills had a first preview sticker and the fact that they gave out first preview keychains. I thought Joy Woods was a stand-out. Like Jordan, I expected a big cry but it did not hit me as emotionally as I expected. "

I agree with the “meh” feeling. However I didn’t have an issue with the staging in Chicago. It’s probably just the venue. But maybe they’ll adjust it since you were literally in prime seating and couldn’t see it.


To me they hit you over the head with the sadness factor. The opening song, the show being so dark, it’s like “hey go cry” and so it all felt so forced.

Updated On: 2/11/24 at 01:34 PM

I love Ingrid so I’m looking forward to this. It’s just curious to me that they swap the race of the older couple. Isn’t that confusing to the audience. Won’t many initially think these are different characters?


I know many people who saw this in Chicago and thought it was mediocre. I’m still interested because I love Ingrid’s music.

Menken Fan said: "Bettyboy72 said: "I love Ingrid so I’m looking forward to this. It’s just curious to me that they swap the race of the older couple. Isn’t that confusing to the audience. Won’t many initially think these are different characters?


I know many people who saw this in Chicago and thought it was mediocre. I’m still interested because I love Ingrid’s music."

FWIW, I saw it three times in Chicago and thought it was nearly perfect in terms of story, presentation, staging, music and cast. I’m not too much of a fan of the movie, but this musical is not based on the movie and has very little similarity. The race of the actors did seem odd initially, but I got over it in about 10 minutes."

A friend shared the same with me on the race issue yet Plunkett shines and the Woods girl is pretty good. Musical was nothing special a bit tedious and that the music is a snoozefest.

Saw the matinee. Standing ovation before the finale was over. It was breathtaking. A marvel of direction. Just full body chills at so many moments throughout. I will say the score is somewhat repetitive in that every song sounds the same. HOWEVER ... it totally works and the music is quite beautiful. I would be shocked if this doesn't take best musical. Unless HK or Suffs becomes a surprise hit of the season. So many sniffles in the audience.

Joy Woods is unmatched. But truly thought the whole company was stellar.

When is Michael griefs direction actually good? Rent was 28 years ago folks. If/then was horrible, wine and roses the staging was terrible, war paint was clunky, Evan Hansen was just fine. Theres a reason he’s never won a Tony…