THE NOTEBOOK Musical - News & Discussion Thread — Page 3

The second act used songs to a much better effect than the first act (except the sort of bizarre closing number) but everything was still just a little too generic. If you'd told me these were all previously written Ingrid Michaelson songs shoehorned into the book I'd believe you. They're lovely songs but they just don't tell much of the story and they don't quite build the way conventional musical theater songs do.

That said, the overall effect is powerful and quite lovely. The ending, like the ending of the source material, is pretty ridiculous and it's also fairly abrupt but I still left wanting to return. It's in LEAGUES better shape than Devil was at its last performance and I look forward to going back.

How was the center section of the set used?

(Also debating moving to Chicago, so seeing all these out of town tryouts, and the fact that we may never see Devil, First Wives Club, etc again has me kind of excited to move)

The front center of the stage is a pool of water surrounded by a walkway. The back center of the stage is often a bedroom though sometimes it's open space.

He's fantastic. He has a fantastic solo and blows the roof off of the theater.

Saw tonight’s show and loved it. Finally, another quality Chicago musical premiere. I thought every element was well done - direction, music, cast, book, staging. I know this is based on the novel, not the movie adaptation, but by comparison, this is so much better than the movie. I particularly like the humor scattered through the dialogue. Not so much to make it a comedy, but enough to give the material some wit (and a few huge laughs) to lighten up the super somber story, which definitely has its share of tear-jerking moments. I also didn’t think the songs were as generic as noted in some earlier comments. Most of them seemed well connected to the characters and to what was happening in the story at the tîme.


The show overall seemed like a mix of The Bridges of Madison County and Next to Normal, while I thought the score reminded me of Waitress and N2N. In fact, after the final number, I left the theatre humming ‘Light’ from N2N.


The only part I didn’t care for was the scene where they gratuitously recreated the rain scene from the movie. It seemed unnecessary to have actual rain onstage, and it was distracting to have a number of stagehands squeegeeing and mopping while the following scene played out. Also, a cast member was noticeably slipping in the water later, and a stagehand came out to wipe up right in front of another scene.


Other than minor quibbles, this was a very entertaining evening,

Updated On: 9/9/22 at 12:07 AM

Menken Fan said: "Saw tonight’s show and loved it. Finally, another quality Chicago musical premiere. I thought every element was well done - direction, music, cast, book, staging. I know this is based on the novel, not the movie adaptation, but by comparison, this is so much better than the movie. I particularly like the humor scattered through the dialogue. Not so much to make it a comedy, but enough to give the material some wit (and a few huge laughs) to lighten up the super somber story, which definitely has its share of tear-jerking moments. I also didn’t think the songs were as generic as noted in some earlier comments. Most of them seemed well connected to the characters and to what was happening in the story at the tîme.


The show overall seemed like a mix of The Bridges of Madison County and Next to Normal, while I thought the score reminded me of Waitress and N2N. In fact, after the final number, I left the theatre humming ‘Light’ from N2N.


The only part I didn’t care for was the scene where they gratuitously recreated the rain scene from the movie. It seemed unnecessary to have actual rain onstage, and it was distracting to have a number of stagehands squeegeeing and mopping while the following scene played out. Also, a cast member was noticeably slipping in the water later, and a stagehand came out to wipe up right in front of another scene.


Other than minor quibbles, this was a very entertaining evening,"

That sounds like maybe a product of the theater. Like maybe they just aren’t equipped for rain? A stagehand cleaning up water not during intermission would be a major red flag.

Just saw it tonight and joining in on the positive reviews. I was never a fan of the film, so I was prepared to dislike the musical, but boy was I wrong. They’ve made the smart choice to anchor the story around the older Allie and Noah, which allows the story to have the depth and sadness the film only injected at the end interspersed throughout. Everyone around me was sobbing throughout - and even I she’s a tear.

I haven’t seen a show this Broadway ready in a pre-Broadway tryout here in awhile - and it’s especially nice after the most recent one we had.

I enjoyed the score - the Allie song about her Dementia is just absolutely gutting. The staging works well and the use of the multiple Allies and Noahs is greatly effective.

if I had one note, it would be to cut the final song (or use it and the whole cast during Allie’s final memory), as the song pulls you out of the emotion of the actual ending. But it’s in really great shape. They should be eying a spring slot. Amazing what can happen when you spend a pandemic actually working on a show…

I saw the show last night. I've never seen the movie nor read the book, so this was pretty much my first exposure to the material besides clips and knowing the general idea of the piece.

I thought overall it was pretty good. Ingrid's music was really pretty, albeit a little repetitive since so much of the show consists of ballads, but overall a fairly strong score. Maryann Plunkett was absolutely incredible. Having had a grandmother who also had dementia I found her performance so vulnerable and honest. Really excellent job.

Andrea Burns was not in it so I'm assuming she is out for good? If so, honestly good for her, the part would have been a complete waste for her. (edit just saw she will be back after the Hulu show)

I think, and this is definitely biased of me, overall I just didnt really care. The love story was nice, but it just didn't excite or interest me at all. For me it needs a more dramatic/compelling plot line to really keep me invested, but I feel that way about most show's that are solely love stories.

Overall though, I thought it was fairly well done. The audience around me seemed to be eating it up.

And it rained onstage! Always gotta love when that happens.

Updated On: 9/18/22 at 12:05 PM

Seems like this show is in much better shape than Prada to come to Broadway.

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "How's the cast?

Cast is excellent with no weak links. All of the Allie and Noahs are truly spectacular with everyone getting a moment to shine and feeling like a star, but Maryann Plunkett and John Beasely's are truly doing fantastic work here with their acting.

The other big standout is Liam Oh who is the comic relief playing Older Allie's physical therapist. He's doing incredible work here and bringing much needed levity to a really sad show.

I was at tonights performance and was just completely blown away. Everyone is giving their all on that stage. Just wanted to give a shout-out to John Cardoza who just commanded the stage every time he appeared. Ingrid Michaelsons work here is simply sublime and I hope she is rewarded for it. The act one finale was definitely a highlight, with all those voices blending so perfectly.

Some cast notes: Andréa Burns was indeed in the show tonight. There were also 3 understudies on, Chicago Theatre veteran Mary Ernster as Older Allie, Jerome Harmann Hardeman as Older Noah, and Carson Stewart as Fin/Justin. All three were wonderful in their parts. It’s always such a pleasure to see Ernster on the stage.

Updated On: 9/21/22 at 11:17 PM

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "How's the cast?

Glad to see this appears to be in good shape.

Have we heard of which theatres this is circling? (assuming "playhouses," Shubert or otherwise.)"

I saw in the program that the Shubert Foundation is a major sponsor of Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Maybe that could give us a hint where this is going? I could see it doing really well at The Music Box

The Notebook has been extended thru Oct. 30 by popular demand.