The Notebook (musical)

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The Notebook
TheNotebookMusicalPoster.jpg
Broadway Promotional Poster
Music Ingrid Michaelson
LyricsIngrid Michaelson
Book Bekah Brunstetter
Basis The Notebook
by Nicholas Sparks
Productions2022 Chicago
2024 Broadway

The Notebook is a musical with music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson and a book by Bekah Brunstetter. It is based on the 1996 novel of the same name, written by Nicholas Sparks. The musical opened on Broadway on March 14, 2024 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre [1] and closed on December 15, 2024.

Contents

Summary

Act 1

Noah Calhoun lives with his wife, Allie, in a retirement home. Allie is suffering from Alzheimer’s and struggles to remember her husband and life ("Time"). Noah reads a love story to Allie from a notebook – the story of the two of them, around when they were seventeen and during a period about ten years later.

Allie, who comes from a wealthy family, and Noah, a working-class boy, first meet when Allie arrives in his town for summer break from high school. They are interested in each other, but their friends dissuade them from pursuing a relationship because of their differing social classes ("Dance with Me"). Noah is undeterred, walking Allie home and declaring that he is falling in love with her (“Carry You Home”). Their relationship deepens, and Noah promises to fix up an abandoned house for Allie (“Blue Shutters”). Allie is hesitant to introduce Noah to her parents, upsetting Noah. During the ensuing argument, Noah notices a painting that Allie is holding (“I Paint”). The painting is a gift for him, and he is moved by its melancholic beauty (“Sadness and Joy”).

In the present day, Allie asks Noah to skip ahead in the story. Ten years after they met, Noah, after fighting in Vietnam, has purchased the abandoned house and renovated it, hoping that it will bring Allie back to him (“Leave the Light On”). Meanwhile, Allie has gotten engaged to Lon, a wealthy man her parents approve of. A newspaper article featuring Noah and the restoration of the house catches her eye, shocking her – she wonders if Noah has moved on ("What Happens”). Back in the nursing home, Allie can no longer remember her children or grandchildren ("I Wanna Go Back”).

When Allie first brings Noah to her family's home for dinner that first year, her parents show disapproval of his working-class background, and Noah storms out. Allie's mom informs her they are leaving town the next day. Allie meets up with Noah in the abandoned house ("If This Is Love”), and the two are intimate for the first time (“Kiss Me”). Afterwards, Noah’s friend Fin warns them that Allie’s parents have called the cops on Noah for kidnapping. Before fleeing, Noah memorizes Allie’s home address, promising to write her a letter every day. In the nursing home, Allie begins to remember Noah before suffering from an episode, the stress of which causes Noah to have a stroke. In the post-Vietnam timeframe, Allie leaves for a vacation shortly before her wedding and arrives at Noah’s doorstep ("Home").

Act 2

Noah lays in his hospital bed as his and Allie’s younger selves sing of the things he didn't appreciate when he was young ("We Have to Try"). Allie's condition at the nursing home worsens without him, and she stops eating and speaking. In the middle timeframe, Noah welcomes Allie into the house. She admits she has a fiancé, but their feelings for each other resurface. They go to the docks where they spent time as teenagers, and it begins to pour down rain. Before they kiss, Allie confronts Noah on why he never wrote her. He swears he wrote to her every day, and they spend the night together ("Forever").

In the hospital, Noah reflects on his life with Allie and the beginning of her disease ("Iron in The Fridge"). The morning after their rekindled romance, Noah and Allie argue over their loss of contact over the years and Allie’s engagement to Lon. Allie runs into her mother outside of the house, who reveals that she intercepted Noah’s letters, but will now let Allie decide who to be with ("Don't You Worry"). Allie decides to stay with Lon, breaking Noah’s heart ("It's Not Easy"). Regretful, Allie realizes that she has to make a decision on how to spend her life that she can be proud of ("My Days").

Noah sneaks out of the stroke ward to see his wife again. Visions of all the people he's known in his life appear to him as he makes his way to her room ("I Love You More"). He finds Allie reading the notebook, finally able to remember that this story is of her and Noah ("I Know"). Noah and Allie lay down in bed together, and are found holding each other, both having died peacefully. Everyone in the story appears and sings of the couple's deep love for each other ("Coda").

Productions

Workshop (2019)

The Notebook was workshopped by the New York Stage and Film at the Powerhouse Theater at Vassar College on June 23, 2019. It was directed by Michael Greif.

On June 12, 2019, the leading actors cast in the show were announced. The cast included Hailey Kilgore as Young Allie, Vanessa Hudgens as Middle Allie, and Candy Buckley as Older Allie; Antonio Cipriano as Younger Noah, Clifton Duncan as Middle Noah, and James Naughton, as Older Noah. [2]

Chicago (2022)

In September 2022, the show had its "world premiere" at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. The production featured direction by Michael Greif and Schele Williams, and choreography by Katie Spelman.

Portraying the principal roles of Allie and Noah were Jordan Tyson as Young Allie, Joy Woods as Middle Allie, and Maryann Plunkett, as Older Allie; John Cardoza as Younger Noah, Ryan Vasquez as Middle Noah, and John Beasley as Older Noah.

This production was initially slated for fall 2020, but was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Michaelson and Brunsletter used the additional time to hold online previews and tweak their work. [3]

Broadway (2024)

The show began previews on February 10, 2024 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, and officially opened on March 14, 2024. The production has the same creative team as the Chicago production. Casting included Jordan Tyson as Young Allie, Joy Woods as Middle Allie, and, Maryann Plunkett, as Older Allie; John Cardoza as Younger Noah, Ryan Vasquez as Middle Noah, and Dorian Harewood as Older Noah. The musical opened to mixed reviews. [4] [5] [6] The show played its final performance on December 15, 2024. [7]

Planned North American Tour (2025)

On August 16, 2024, it was announced that the musical is scheduled to embark on a North American tour. It is expected to begin in September 2025 at the Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio. The tour dates are below. [8]

CityTheaterOpening DateClosing Date
Cleveland, OHPlayhouse SquareSeptember 6, 2025September 27, 2025
Hartford, CTThe BushnellSeptember 30, 2025October 5, 2025
Buffalo, NYShea's BuffaloOctober 7, 2025October 12, 2025
Cincinnati, OHAronoff CenterOctober 14, 2025October 26, 2025
Memphis, TNOrpheum TheatreOctober 28, 2025November 2, 2025
St. Louis, MOThe Fabulous FoxNovember 4, 2025November 16, 2025
St. Paul, MNThe OrdwayNovember 18, 2025November 30, 2025
Des Moines, IADes Moines Performing ArtsDecember 2, 2025December 7, 2025
Omaha, NEOrpheum TheaterDecember 9, 2025December 14, 2025
Denver, CODenver Center for the Performing ArtsDecember 16, 2025December 28, 2025
Los Angeles, CAHollywood PantagesJanuary 6, 2026January 25, 2026
Costa Mesa, CASegerstrom Center for the ArtsJanuary 27, 2026February 8, 2026
San Francisco, CAOrpheum TheatreFebruary 10, 2026March 1, 2026
Seattle, WAThe Paramount TheatreMarch 3, 2026March 8, 2026
Portland, ORKeller AuditoriumMarch 10, 2026March 15, 2026
Spokane, WAFirst Interstate Center for the ArtsMarch 17, 2026March 22, 2026
Reno, NVPioneer Center for the Performing ArtsMarch 24, 2026March 29, 2026
Las Vegas, NVThe Smith CenterMarch 31, 2026April 5, 2026
Tempe, AZASU GammageApril 7, 2026April 12, 2026
San Diego, CACivic TheatreApril 14, 2026April 19, 2026
West Palm Beach, FLKravis CenterApril 28, 2026May 3, 2026
Miami, FLAdrienne Arsht CenterMay 5, 2026May 10, 2026
Orlando, FLDr. Phillips CenterMay 12, 2026May 17, 2026
Charlotte, NCBlumenthal ArtsMay 19, 2026May 24, 2026
Tampa, FLStraz CenterMay 26, 2026May 31, 2026
Greensboro, NCTanger CenterJune 2, 2026June 7, 2026
Greenville, SCPeace CenterJune 9, 2026June 14, 2026
Tulsa, OKTulsa Performing Arts CenterJune 16, 2026June 21, 2026
Fort Worth, TXBass HallJune 23, 2026June 28,2026
Durham, NCDPACJuly 14, 2026July 19, 2026
Philadelphia, PAAcademy of MusicJuly 21, 2026August 2, 2026
Washington, DCThe National TheaterAugust 18, 2026August 23, 2026

Musical numbers

Characters and original casts

CharacterChicago [10] Broadway [11] National Tour
202220242025
Younger Noah CalhounJohn CardozaKyle Mangold
Younger Allison "Allie" NelsonJordan TysonChloë Cheers
Middle Noah CalhounRyan VasquezKen Wulf Clark
Middle Allison "Allie" Nelson Joy Woods Alysha Deslorieux
Older Noah Calhoun John Beasley Dorian Harewood Beau Gravitte
Older Allison "Allie" Calhoun (née Nelson) Maryann Plunkett Sharon Catherine Brown
Nurse Lori / Mother / Others Andréa Burns Anne Tolpegin
Fin / Johnny / OthersLiam OhCarson StewartConnor Richardson
Sarah Tuffington / OthersSophie MadorskyHillary FisherMakena Jackson
Father / Son / OthersJonathan Butler-DuplessisCharles E. WallaceJerome Harmann-Hardeman.
Georgie / OthersDorcas LeungGrace Ohwensadeyo Rundberg
Lon Hammond Jr. / OthersOmar Lopez-CeperoChase Del ReyJesse Corbin
Nurse Joanna / Others Yassmin Alers Rayna Hickman

Notable Replacements

Broadway (2024)

Awards and nominations

2024 Broadway production

YearAwardCategoryNomineeResult
2024
Tony Awards Best Actor in a Musical Dorian HarewoodNominated
Best Actress in a Musical Maryann PlunkettNominated
Best Book of a Musical Bekah Brunstetter Nominated
Drama League Award Outstanding Production of a MusicalNominated
Distinguished Performance Dorian Harewood Nominated
Maryann Plunkett Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical Maryann Plunkett Nominated
2025 Grammy Awards Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album Nominated

References

  1. Masseron, Meg; Gans, Andrew (2023-08-03). "The Notebook Musical Will Come to Broadway This Spring". Playbill.com.
  2. Lenker, Maureen (2019-06-13). "Vanessa Hudgens to lead reading of The Notebook musical adaptation". EW.com. Retrieved 2023-08-03.
  3. Houlihan, Mary (September 6, 2022). "'The Notebook' musical arrives after a delay that added depth". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  4. Cristi, A. A. (2023-08-03). "THE NOTEBOOK The Musical To Open On Broadway in 2024". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-08-03.
  5. Wild, Stephi (2023-11-14). "Full Broadway Cast Set For THE NOTEBOOK". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-11-23.
  6. McNary, Dave (January 3, 2019). "'The Notebook' to Become a Broadway Musical". Variety . Retrieved 2022-10-22.
  7. Wild, Stephi. "THE NOTEBOOK Announces Closing Date". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  8. "US tour". The Notebook The Musical. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
  9. "The Notebook (Broadway, Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, 2024)". Playbill.
  10. "The Notebook". www.chicagoshakes.com. Archived from the original on August 12, 2023. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
  11. "Team". The Notebook The Musical. Retrieved 2024-02-11.
  12. Gans, Andrew (October 25, 2024). "Aisha Jackson Joins Broadway Cast of The Notebook October 25". Playbill. Retrieved May 12, 2025.