The Notebook Touring Reviews

That experience is one that fans of Nicholas Sparks’ 1996 debut novel and the beloved 2004 movie version are likely to appreciate, although the creative team — namely book writer Bekah Brunstetter, composer and lyricist Ingrid Michaelson and co-d...

That experience is one that fans of Nicholas Sparks’ 1996 debut novel and the beloved 2004 movie version are likely to appreciate, although the creative team — namely book writer Bekah Brunstetter, composer and lyricist Ingrid Michaelson and co-directors Michael Greif and Schele Williams — has made some notable tweaks while following the broad strokes of the familiar narrative.

Bekah Brunstetter’s book, adapted from Sparks’ novel, leans on familiar tropes: soulmates pulled apart by circumstance, disapproving parents and the inevitable reunion. But there’s power in those timeless beats, especially when they’re brough...

Bekah Brunstetter’s book, adapted from Sparks’ novel, leans on familiar tropes: soulmates pulled apart by circumstance, disapproving parents and the inevitable reunion. But there’s power in those timeless beats, especially when they’re brought to life by a cast of this caliber. Newcomers Mangold and Cheers capture the wide-eyed innocence of Young Noah and Allie beautifully, their duets lifted by his tender falsetto and her enchanting tone. As Middle Noah and Allie, Clark and Deslorieux turn up the heat, their palpable chemistry matched by the strongest vocals of the night — including her show-stopping rendition of “My Days.” Gravitte provides a steady anchor as Older Noah, while Brown brings quiet grace to the show’s most pivotal role.

Covering over 52 years of the character’s lives, the tale illustrates parental prejudices, classism, and the harsh reality of aging and memory loss. It exposes the raw strain of advancing dementia on both the victim and their caretakers, while cen...

Covering over 52 years of the character’s lives, the tale illustrates parental prejudices, classism, and the harsh reality of aging and memory loss. It exposes the raw strain of advancing dementia on both the victim and their caretakers, while centering on the enduring power of love that can transcend time and stresses.

The true stars of the show are Sharon Catherine Brown and Beau Gravitte. Brown’s performance as a woman grappling with severe dementia is fearless, deeply moving, and utterly convincing. She masterfully conveys disassociation, fear, and fleeting mo...

The true stars of the show are Sharon Catherine Brown and Beau Gravitte. Brown’s performance as a woman grappling with severe dementia is fearless, deeply moving, and utterly convincing. She masterfully conveys disassociation, fear, and fleeting moments of recognition, each emotion pulling at the audience’s heartstrings. Paired with Gravitte’s blend of grumpy old man humor and unwavering hope for one more moment with his beloved, their scenes elicit both tears of joy and sadness.

Where THE NOTEBOOK succeeds is in the gritty reality of the disease, and the production directed by Michael Grief and Schele Williams manages to entrance the audience in it's creativity. The score by Ingrid Michaelson, while pleasant and unoffensive,...

Where THE NOTEBOOK succeeds is in the gritty reality of the disease, and the production directed by Michael Grief and Schele Williams manages to entrance the audience in it's creativity. The score by Ingrid Michaelson, while pleasant and unoffensive, is merely utilitarian.

While the performances and production elements were certainly memorable, what struck me most was how the musical managed to capture the raw emotional weight of the story without feeling overly sentimental. The balance between heartbreak and hope was ...

While the performances and production elements were certainly memorable, what struck me most was how the musical managed to capture the raw emotional weight of the story without feeling overly sentimental. The balance between heartbreak and hope was handled delicately, especially in moments when Older Allie’s memory began to falter.

Vocally and dramatically, the cast gave fully committed performances. Gravitte and Brown, portraying older Allie and Noah, delivered the emotional weight of the show. Moments of silence, longing, and restraint often gave depth and pathos to the chara...

Vocally and dramatically, the cast gave fully committed performances. Gravitte and Brown, portraying older Allie and Noah, delivered the emotional weight of the show. Moments of silence, longing, and restraint often gave depth and pathos to the characters. The younger and middle versions (Kyle Mangold, Ken Wulf Clark, Alysha Deslorieux, and Chloë Cheers) brought energy and emotion to the romance, heartbreak, and everything in between. Particularly during the summer scenes where our lovers first met. The timeline changes were mostly seamless, and the costumes and lighting made the shifts feel smooth and natural. Allie was always costumed in evolutions of blue, while Noah in evolutions of warm burnt oranges.

If you are a fan of Nicholas Sparks's novel The Notebook or the 2004 film of the same title (starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, you do not want to miss this production. It is a beautiful love story of endurance and hope even amidst the constan...

If you are a fan of Nicholas Sparks's novel The Notebook or the 2004 film of the same title (starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, you do not want to miss this production. It is a beautiful love story of endurance and hope even amidst the constant trials. It is one of my favorite films of all time so I tried not to be too critical of the details-- I had heard that the musical is more based on the book than the movie, but particular scenes will have the Notebook movie fans moving with excitement, particularly the iconic rain scene.

If you go expecting a sad romance, you’ll get that and something more. You’ll get a story about memory, forgiveness, and finding your way back. It’s about love that stays, even when everything else fades. Bring tissues, of course. But also brin...

If you go expecting a sad romance, you’ll get that and something more. You’ll get a story about memory, forgiveness, and finding your way back. It’s about love that stays, even when everything else fades. Bring tissues, of course. But also bring your whole heart. The Notebook at the Fox isn’t just a show… it’s a quiet, beautiful reminder that love, in all its forms, endures.

Well-acted and emotionally bumpy, the production can be overly sugary in places and excessively bleak in others. Despite this, it is an immersive theatrical experience where audiences become invested in the love story and profoundly moved by its bala...

Well-acted and emotionally bumpy, the production can be overly sugary in places and excessively bleak in others. Despite this, it is an immersive theatrical experience where audiences become invested in the love story and profoundly moved by its balance of pathos and optimism.

Brown’s portrayal is a powerful and respectful take on someone who can’t remember where or who they are. In quiet moments of listening to Noah’s story, Brown’s subtle hand-wringing and smiles clue us into her happiness as she remembers someth...

Brown’s portrayal is a powerful and respectful take on someone who can’t remember where or who they are. In quiet moments of listening to Noah’s story, Brown’s subtle hand-wringing and smiles clue us into her happiness as she remembers something. They also reveal her frustration when that connection evaporates.

Part of the fun for me going into this show was that I was only familiar with one song. I was blown away by the beautiful songs, with music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson and co-orchestrations by Carmel Dean and John Clancy. There is something famil...

Part of the fun for me going into this show was that I was only familiar with one song. I was blown away by the beautiful songs, with music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson and co-orchestrations by Carmel Dean and John Clancy. There is something familiar in the music I can't place, which is so fitting for this show, as they talk about music being one of the last things forgotten.

The cast of The Notebook is a collective powerhouse. Beau Gravitte as Older Noah is deeply tenderhearted in this role of storyteller and husband to his beloved wife whom doesn't remember him - or rather, constantly forgets him. Kyle Mangold as Younge...

The cast of The Notebook is a collective powerhouse. Beau Gravitte as Older Noah is deeply tenderhearted in this role of storyteller and husband to his beloved wife whom doesn't remember him - or rather, constantly forgets him. Kyle Mangold as Younger Noah does well enough in the role, especially with bringing the same level of tenderheartedness as his eldest counterpart. But, there is a level of gentlemanly swagger that is missing. There were a couple times where Mangold lets Noah become a little too much of a crybaby as it pertains to the approval of Allie's parents. As Middle Noah, Ken Wulf Clark delivers what I call the "Goldielocks" effect - he is just right. Clark gives a well-balanced performance, even with the unexpected encore of his solo "Leave the Light On" due to a technical hold. Clark handled the mishap as all the best in the business do - with class, professionalism, and skill.

The national tour of THE NOTEBOOK: THE MUSICAL contains enough of the necessary ingredients, and pushes the appropriate buttons to get the ultra-romantic of us to submit to this story yet again. Between Ingred Michelson’s heart-swelling score, a sa...

The national tour of THE NOTEBOOK: THE MUSICAL contains enough of the necessary ingredients, and pushes the appropriate buttons to get the ultra-romantic of us to submit to this story yet again. Between Ingred Michelson’s heart-swelling score, a safe and steady book by Bekah Brunstetter and the co-direction of Michael Greif and Schele Williams, this entertaining but hardly remarkable tale kicks off the 2026 season at the Hollywood Pantages on an appropriately tear-streaked note.

In the end, the young couple still only knew each other for one summer but strong enough to last for decades. Some may find that unrealistic and impractical. But who really knows everything about love and how it works? Every love is different and not...

In the end, the young couple still only knew each other for one summer but strong enough to last for decades. Some may find that unrealistic and impractical. But who really knows everything about love and how it works? Every love is different and not the same like the other. This is not your love story, it’s theirs. Tissue boxes are ready for purchase to take to your seat.

I wasn’t expecting the actors cast in these roles at the Pantages, where the musical opened Wednesday, to compare in magnetism or intensity to their movie star predecessors. Fortunately, the way the musical is written by Ingrid Michaelson (music an...

I wasn’t expecting the actors cast in these roles at the Pantages, where the musical opened Wednesday, to compare in magnetism or intensity to their movie star predecessors. Fortunately, the way the musical is written by Ingrid Michaelson (music and lyrics) and Bekah Brunstetter (book), they don’t really have to.

Ultimately, the musical feels like it needed another round of development to become truly compelling. But when the source material itself is so middle-of-the-road (albeit enormously popular), there’s only so much that can be added. The scenic and l...

Ultimately, the musical feels like it needed another round of development to become truly compelling. But when the source material itself is so middle-of-the-road (albeit enormously popular), there’s only so much that can be added. The scenic and lighting design are pleasant, the songs are momentarily catchy, and the show moves at a brisk pace that keeps you modestly engaged.

Vocally, as the middle period Allie, Alysha Deslorieux has perhaps the cast’s most impactful voice. It’s fitting, since her character has the show’s warhorse number, the second act “My Days” and her sonic belt speaks to her background as El...

Vocally, as the middle period Allie, Alysha Deslorieux has perhaps the cast’s most impactful voice. It’s fitting, since her character has the show’s warhorse number, the second act “My Days” and her sonic belt speaks to her background as Eliza in the Broadway production of “Hamilton.”

Two sets of actors play the younger Ali and Noah, and they sing of hopes, wishes, and disappointments. They all sing well, earnestly trying to make gold out the hay of a folk-pop score by Ingrid Michaelson. Her score sounds like text dialogue haphaza...

Two sets of actors play the younger Ali and Noah, and they sing of hopes, wishes, and disappointments. They all sing well, earnestly trying to make gold out the hay of a folk-pop score by Ingrid Michaelson. Her score sounds like text dialogue haphazardly shoved onto melodramatic notes. The cross-racial casting is nice, and the direction by Michael Greif and Schele Williams utilizing time-shifting construction are highlights. Sharon Catherine Brown gives a nice representation of a woman both hopelessly lost and agitated. If you’re a fan of the book or movie and need a reminder, this is for you.

Under the direction of Michael Greif and Schele Williams, a couple of well-done moments provide brief relief. In the song “Forever,” when the Middles reunite, a lusty Middle Allie, finding out Noah built the table where she’s seated, buries her...

Under the direction of Michael Greif and Schele Williams, a couple of well-done moments provide brief relief. In the song “Forever,” when the Middles reunite, a lusty Middle Allie, finding out Noah built the table where she’s seated, buries her face in its woodsy smell and suggestively strokes its leg. Then there are all the times when different generations of Allies and Noahs are singing to each other, comforting other selves or voicing what the other can’t say.

If you have any relationship to this story — the novel, the film, any version — this production will earn your tears and then some. If you don't, the structural ingenuity is genuinely worth engaging with as a piece of theatrical craft. Either way...

If you have any relationship to this story — the novel, the film, any version — this production will earn your tears and then some. If you don't, the structural ingenuity is genuinely worth engaging with as a piece of theatrical craft. Either way, it's the kind of show that reminds you why live performance exists.

With the framing narrative of THE NOTEBOOK being closely tied to Alzheimer's disease, memory is a major theme of the show. Although the story is told by Older Noah linearly, all three versions of the leads are present on stage and in the music throug...

With the framing narrative of THE NOTEBOOK being closely tied to Alzheimer's disease, memory is a major theme of the show. Although the story is told by Older Noah linearly, all three versions of the leads are present on stage and in the music throughout the show. This gives the show a dreamy characteristic, perfectly encapsulating the feeling of characters’ nostalgia it seeks to emulate. The casting is also very clever, making Allie’s nurse, Lori, played by the same person who plays her mother (Anne Tolpegin). The through line was a very intriguing way to weave in the themes of caretaking and motherhood.

For me the actor that stood out the most, was older Noah (Gravitt ). He really knew how to transmit that intense feeling of ultimate true love — loving someone so deeply that even when your soulmate does not know who you are due to an illness, you...

For me the actor that stood out the most, was older Noah (Gravitt ). He really knew how to transmit that intense feeling of ultimate true love — loving someone so deeply that even when your soulmate does not know who you are due to an illness, you still show up every day. You are still very present and somehow find the tremendous amount of patience that it takes in order to not lose faith. He shows the frustration that the character Noah experiences when wondering if all his efforts are for nothing but still continues no matter what because of the love that he feels for Allie — that to me was incredible talent.

Is “The Notebook” musical better than the book and movie that came before? Fans of the film will recognize iconic scenes, but not the ending. And for fans of the book, the musical is true to the original, especially in presenting the pain familie...

Is “The Notebook” musical better than the book and movie that came before? Fans of the film will recognize iconic scenes, but not the ending. And for fans of the book, the musical is true to the original, especially in presenting the pain families suffer when Alzheimer’s affects a loved one.

What sets this production apart structurally is its intertwining of three timelines, with three pairs of actors portraying Allie and Noah across their lives. As the youngest couple, Chloë Cheers and Kyle Mangold bring an infectious energy to first l...

What sets this production apart structurally is its intertwining of three timelines, with three pairs of actors portraying Allie and Noah across their lives. As the youngest couple, Chloë Cheers and Kyle Mangold bring an infectious energy to first love. Their chemistry is bright and immediate, filled with the awkward charm and headlong passion of teenage romance. Mangold balances swagger with sincerity, while Cheers delivers standout vocals that grow richer and more confident as the story unfolds.

Of the six actors, Sharon Catherine Brown, who played Older Allie suffering from dementia, stood out the most. Brown delivered a flawless performance that accurately depicted the emotional upheaval of losing one’s memory and with it, a sense of sel...

Of the six actors, Sharon Catherine Brown, who played Older Allie suffering from dementia, stood out the most. Brown delivered a flawless performance that accurately depicted the emotional upheaval of losing one’s memory and with it, a sense of self and safety.