THE NOTEBOOK Broadway Previews — Page 5

Charlie Webb went on for Young Noah yesterday and this afternoon.

Saw Charlie in the matinee. He was really good. I was actually a bit worried when I saw his name on the white slip. I wasn’t fan of his accent in the Parade but turned out he has a beautiful voice. Met his mother who came up from George after finding on at 11 pm on Friday night that he’s going on.

Oh, they still have John playing the grandson??? That was one thing that bothered me in Chicago and I chalked it up as they didn’t have enough money to add another actor. I had hoped they would’ve beefed up the “ensemble” for the transfer.

It was still John! Yea it could be Carson or I feel like they could have even used the guy playing Lon or it could always be a swing?

They also don’t need to have the grandson character. Having the granddaughter there to show the necklace was just enough for me.

Saw the movie for the first time last week, and seeing the musical via comp in a few minutes — I am cautiously optimistic.

the.hard.part said: "As someone who has not seen the movie or read the book would you recommend going into relatively oblivious or familiarizing myself first?"

It's a very simple story, so I'd say that reading the book or seeing the movie is entirely unnecessary.

That being said, I did happen to see the movie recently (it popped up as a recommendation on one of the streaming services), and it's interesting to compare the two very different approaches to the material.

Updated On: 2/28/24 at 05:37 PM

Not bad at all!

The guiding principle of this production is that love is the answer, and it has the ability to transcend time periods, ages, and races. I just don't understand the audience members who are confused by the three couples.

There is some great storytelling going on here, and although the music sounds beautiful (and is beautifully sung), I felt like it should've "soared" a bit more, even for a lighter shade of pop-folk. Still, you have to appreciate any sweeping orchestration with a harp. The lyrics — almost poetic at times — ask a fair amount of questions. "Kiss Me", the Act I finale, and the Act II opener were weak IMO.

The audience was completely engaged in this one from start to finish. No entrance applause to be heard, though I did hear a few sniffles the final ten minutes or so.

Performances are all top-notch, and as someone who has family ties to Alzheimer's, I thought this was a spot-on representation of the disease. Pay close attention to Maryann Plunkett throughout "I Wanna Go Back" and even some of the scenes in which she doesn't speak. She does some beautiful work here, and when she finally sings, it's such a gorgeously realized moment.

I would love to see Michael Potts and Carolee Carmello play the older Noah / Allie someday, and the show may just run long enough for this to potentially happen.

Joy Woods's "My Days" got the most receptive applause for a song today. What a voice she's got.

The onstage rain was perfection. Standing O less than a minute before the show ended, right after the orchestra reveal — I could barely hear the end of the finale.

Cameras were out today back orchestra, filming B-roll (which will continue at tonight's performance).

Stage door: John Cardoza, Ryan Vasquez, Hillary Fisher, Carson Stewart, Jordan Tyson, and Plunkett. I also saw Kim Onah come out but she didn't sign. A fair amount of people waiting there this afternoon through a soft rainfall, but I found a good spot under the marquee's awning. Everyone was nice and quick!

A cast album will eventually be recorded, per Ingrid. Spotted Bekah and Carmel Dean at intermission.



This could very well take home best musical in June. Though my heart says Wine and Roses, my gut just might say Notebook depending on what our other spring tuners have to offer.

Updated On: 2/28/24 at 06:52 PM

I saw "The Notebook" Thursday evening. Never read the book nor saw the film, and I loved the show. It will touch anyone who can relate to an epic love story or where one member of a couple has to take care of another (which hit close to home for me). Having race-blind casting for people playing the same roles was a bit jarring at first, but then I quickly got used to it. I didn't feel intentional (although maybe it was) - it just felt like they cast the people who were best for each role. The performances are excellent across the board, and while I didn't cry as much as I thought I would (given the buzz), I'm glad I brought tissues. The show reminded me of Next to Normal mixed with Bridges of Madison County (and a few other shows, I'm sure).

Having seen Lempicka in La Jolla and Days of Wine & Roses at The Atlantic, The Notebook was far superior in my mind on every level (although perhaps those other two made improvements in their Broadway stagings). I thought elements of Ingrid Michaelson's score are gorgeous, and the audience went crazy. It's the first score I've heard in a while for which I'm excited to hear the cast recording.

I think this will have a solid run and appeal to a broad audience. It's a lovely piece of theatre.

OhHiJohnny said: "Unless Suffs has really done extensive enough work to be the next Hamilton, or Lempicka has a Wicked sized fandom spring forth, this will 100% be the big winner of the season.

100% agree. The night I saw it the audience was openly weeping by the end. Talk about a money printing machine.

tripelite said: "Having race-blind casting for people playing the same roles was a bit jarring at first, but then I quicklygot used to it. I didn't feel intentional (although maybe it was) - it just felt like they cast the people who were best for each role.."

Nah, it definitely seemed intentional. Having both sets of young people played by the opposite races of the older people remembering is a conscious decision. I do think the poster above who said it may be to show the confusing & jumbled memories of someone with alzheimers to be what they were going for. I did overhear several people commenting on the way out "Why did they change the races for the characters?" however.

I saw the show last night, I have never seen the movie or read the book as I have zero interest in schmaltzy romance films. The only thing I knew beforehand was "I think that's the film with Ryan Gosling in the rain?" I enjoyed it for the performances, which were across the board excellent. The music was very pleasing to hear sung, though none of it stuck with me. The plot was a pretty standard "rich girl meets boy from the wrong side of the tracks" story. I wish more had went into really showing why their love story was soo strong. Seems like they met each other and immediately it was like they were completely in love. I guess that's just typical storytelling for these types of romance movies/books and is why they are my absolute least favorite genre.

The rain scene was very well done. I was in the far side front mezz and I had no issues seeing any of the staging at the front. I did find it hard to see some of the scenes on the bed when it was under the hanging walkway however. Loved the orchestra reveal!

I don't think I've ever heard so much full on sobbing from an audience before. Like out loud crying and wailing. Meanwhile I'm sitting there like, "Ok yes, it's sad but really?"