THE NOTEBOOK Musical - News & Discussion Thread- Page 3

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 12:03am

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. 

[Matt Legg]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 12:17am

After Devil, First Wives, Pretty Woman, Cher, I am so happy that Chicago has a show that is satisfying on night one.

Beautiful set and zen like music.  Ingrid did Ingrid-like music and it flows nicely.  Definitely some better songs in act two.

Definitely a great audience response and I look forward to going back.

I'd be interested in Andrea Burns too... The sign in the lobby said "Cast change" as did the slip inside the Playbill. Was happy that Yassmin Alers (who I have not seen since Rent) got a song in her "new" role as Mother.

Overall, a great first performance!

[RippedMan]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 12:23am

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)

[BalconyClub]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 12:33am

I wonder if reed player Matt Beck warms up his oboe with HORSE RACING CALL TO POST before every curtain, or does he save it for just first performances.

Just moments before the 7:30 curtain, a young theatregoer took the seat next to mine in the middle gallery and she gushed, “OMG. These are the best f##king seats in the theatre.”

Welcome to the balcony.

As the audience loaded, you could hear running water, singing birds, and the tick-tick of a wall clock.

Twenty-seven skinny white light sabres hung high above the stage, spanning wing to wing, in 9 rows of 3. These lights turned a golden orange during the second number to reveal a 10-piece (?) orchestra positioned high upstage. The 27 lights were used very effectively: sometimes to suggest a roof over the home of Middle Noah, or other times just the inner 21 lights or a handful of lights for even a smaller scene, changing quietly to blue or indigo.

A highlight of the program were the 6 performers who portray Allie and Noah in 1967, 1977, and 2021.

I especially liked the vocals of Young Noah and Young Allie - played by John Cardoza and Jordan Tyson. Early on, there are brief scenes of all 3 Noahs and all 3 Allies, with similar gestures or triplicate hand movements.

I freely teared up when the Older Noah beamed praise about Allie, saying, “We never once ran out of milk.”

The ending is rushed, then the curtain call had the Older Allie and Older Noah on the two opposite ends. It will be more satisfying to place the lifetime lovers center stage. 

Unselfish love towards someone with Dementia is a underlying theme in the production but it’s not heavy-handed nor overdone. I’m fairly certain that most of the audience knows of a family member or a friend’s family member who has Dementia. We are sadly reminded in the line “I didn’t know the last time I left my house would be the last time I left my house.”

Updated On: 9/7/22 at 12:33 AM

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 12:49am

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. 

[mmh1019]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 11:03pm

How was Ryan Vasquez? I saw him twice in The Wrong Man and in Waitress, his voice and presence were just incredible, it's really cool to see him get this chance to shine in the lead role. 

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 11:24pm

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

[BJR]

Posted: 9/7/22 at 11:29pm

BalconyClub said: "We are sadly reminded in the line “I didn’t know the last time I left my house would be the last time I left my house.”"

That line killed, too, in the reading I saw in 2019.

[Menken Fan]

Posted: 9/9/22 at 12:07am

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

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 9/9/22 at 12:46am

Sounds like this is Broadway-ready, reviews pending later this month. A spring transfer seems likely. 

Sometimes we just need to go to a show for a good cry, and this feels like yet another five-handkerchief triumph from Greif. At least he'll have this right on the heels of Dear Evan Hansen. 

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 9/9/22 at 2:24am

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. 

[Matt Legg]

Posted: 9/9/22 at 9:49pm

Definitely more than one stagehand.  It is a bit awkward moment.  Front stage center you have a performer ready with his lines.   In the back of the stage you have a couple waiting for their set piece to move.  And out comes a stage crew mopping the floor for an extended period of time.  Kind of looks like Minions taking over.  I am sure this can get tightened up.  Though it stalls the show for a bit, definitely does not ruin an otherwise moving, excellent show.

[JeaniusIsMe]

Posted: 9/10/22 at 11:12pm

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…

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 9/11/22 at 12:18am

KJisgroovy said: " t’s not clear if Andrea Burns has left the show or is just out for this performance."
 

Andrea is wrapping up her work on her upcoming Hulu series and will be rejoining the show on September 20th.

[berniesb!tch]

Posted: 9/18/22 at 12:05pm

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

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 9/18/22 at 12:25pm

ClumsyDude15 said: "KJisgroovy said: "t’s not clear if Andrea Burns has left the show or is just out for this performance."


Andrea is wrapping up her work on her upcoming Hulu series and will be rejoining the show on September 20th."

I’ve bought a ticket for Tuesday! Hopefully Andrea is in it then.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 9/18/22 at 12:32pm

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

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 9/18/22 at 12:52pm

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.)

[broadwayindie]

Posted: 9/19/22 at 8:58am

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.

 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/19/22 at 9:39am

I have no interest in this (nor the film, nor the book) but it is so nice to hear so many folks having something to be positive about!  

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 9/20/22 at 11:17pm

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

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 9/20/22 at 11:25pm

Call_me_jorge said: "I was at tonight 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."

I was there tonight too, and I'll cosign everything Jorge said. The audience was applauding before the end of the final song. I was in tears for the last half hour. I saw Jerome Harmann Hardeman outside Navy Pier while I was waiting for my Uber, and told him this show is heading to Broadway like nothing. He said "hope that goes right to God's ear".

There's this incredible moment at the end:

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

In the final number, the backdrop comes up and we see where the orchestra's been this whole time, in a loft on the back wall of the stage, and the audience erupted. Such an incredible band, playing some wonderful orchestrations by John Clancy and Carmel Dean.

 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 9/21/22 at 10:13am

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

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 9/21/22 at 10:36am

Call_me_jorge said: "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 Shubert Foundation supports nearly ever major regional theatre and has no bearing on its Broadway future. Kevin McCollum is the commercial producer of NOTEBOOK and he has relationships with all the Broadway theatre owners — so it was more a question of which owner Kevin is working with on this show. (I would assume Shubert because they have the largest selection of small houses. And broken record here, but nearly anything that could play the Music Box could also play the Jacobs or Lyceum, etc. It’s not really a matter of “picking” your theatre for a show of this scale.)

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 9/23/22 at 12:12pm

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