The Notebook
Suppose you have lived long enough, as I have. In that case, you remember some of the great love stories of Casablanca, Gone With The Wind, Roman Holiday, An Affair To Remember, and Titanic — however, only a few love stories will touch you forever, and The Notebook is one of those stories.
Based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks, Chicago Shakespeare Theater brings this tear-jerker new world premiere musical based on the bestselling novel that inspired the iconic film, The Notebook. Directed by Michael Greif, who directed Dear Evan Hansen, Next to Normal, RENT, and Schele Williams, credited as directing Aida, Motown the Musical, team up with multi-platinum singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson. And let me be the first to say that the songs in this production are phenomenal. If you have never seen the movie, it's about two youngsters (Noah and Allie) that meet and instantly fall in love but are forced to part ways due to Allie's parents' disapproval of Noah. The play simultaneously displays the three-dimensional stages of Noah and Alie's love as adults and seniors from their youth.
Portraying Allie and Noah across their lifetimes are Jordan Tyson as Younger Allie, Joy Woods as Middle Allie, and Maryann Plunkett as Older Allie; John Cardoza as Younger Noah, Ryan Vasquez as Middle Noah, and for last night's performance, understudy Jerome Harmann Hardeman was outstanding as Older Noah.
“Quote: This play tugs at your heart and reminds you of what true love can be, even if it’s read from a notebook.”
I would be remiss not to mention that two African-Americans females portray the young and adult versions of Allie with all of the ridiculous uprising about an African-American girl playing Ariel in The Little Mermaid. Kudos to the production stage for seeing beyond their skin color but by the character's content. Martin Luther King would be proud to see we have grown, but we still have a long way to go based on recent events. However, allowing your eyes to see this production through the lens of love will tug at your heart and remind you of what true love can be, even if it's read from a notebook.
The cast of Yassmin Alers (Nurse Joanna), Andréa Burns (Nurse Lori / Mother), Jonathan Butler-Duplessis (Father / Son), Dorcas Leung (Georgie), Omar Lopez-Cepero (Lon), Sophie Madorsky (Sarah), and Liam Oh (Fin / Justin), were outstanding — and made this production on The Notebook, Broadway-worthy.
Scriptwriter Bekah Brunstetter was concerned that the musical The Notebook won't translate to a theater audience as effectively as the movie; however, after hearing Ingrid Michaelson's music and lyrics, she was all-in. As mentioned earlier, Michaelson's music and lyrics (Dance With Me, What Happens, If This Is Love) are so wonderful that they had so many people crying that their tears could have filled the theater. And if you are wondering if this love story is based on actual events, the answer is yes. There's a real-life Noah and Allie. Nicholas Spark's book is based on his ex-wife Cathy's grandparent's sixty years of marriage.
The stage production cast beautifully fabricated a lake and astonished the audience by supplying falling rain for the love scene when Noah and Allie rekindle their never-ending love. Still, one thing I would like to see was more creative flair and imagination in designing the scenery (a picture of Noah's house), which will be paramount if this play plans on going to the bright lights of New York's Broadway. Still, The Notebook is outstanding, and if you don't cry at this play, you're probably not human.
Let's Play Theatrical Review Highly Recommends The Notebook at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
Chicago Shakespeare Theater
The Notebook A New Musical
Music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson
Book by Bekah Brunstetter
Based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks
Directed by Michael Greif & Schele Williams
September 6th - October 16, 2022
