***** Highly Recommended ***** My first question when I I heard Chicago Shakespeare was turning The Notebook into a musical, was, why? After all, Nicholas Sparks’ best-selling novel (which I read more than once) had already been made into an iconic movie (which I’ve seen). What a dumb question! Ingrid Michaelson’s melodic, emotional score fits the story perfectly. I thought Bekah Brunstetter’s adaptation was better than the movie! The production is superb, the voices divine! Be sure to bring your tissues, you’ll need them! 4 BIG Spotlights
The Notebook was published in 1996. Interestingly enough, a literary agent found the novel in her “slush” pile, read it, loved it so much she offered to represent Sparks! The Notebook was on the best seller list for more than a year.
Older Allie (Maryann Plunkett), Middle Allie (Joy Woods), and Younger Allie (Jordan Tyson)
The 2004 movie starred Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams as the young Noah and Allie, James Garner and Gena Rowlands as the older Noah and Allie. I never felt the deep connection to the movie that I did to the novel. Maybe that’s why the reviews were so mixed.
The Notebook contains the story of Noah and Allie – how they met and fell in love, how they were separated, how they met again years later and fell back in love, how they raised a family and never stopped loving each other.
Younger Noah (John Cardoza), Older Noah (John Beasley), and Middle Noah (Ryan Vasquez)
I think I’d describe CST’s production of The Notebook as a play with music rather than a musical. There are no big production numbers, no flashy choreography or sparkly costumes. The story seemed to flow seamlessly into the songs, just as a song’s ending flowed seamlessly back into the story.
Noah Calhoun (understudy Jerome Harmann-Hardeman was outstanding when he stepped into the role opening night for John Beasley who was ill), an old man is worried about a patient in a nursing home, an old woman with Alzheimer’s Disease named Allie (Maryann Plunkett), who doesn’t recognize him. Carrying a notebook, he starts reading a story to her.
Older Noah (John Beasley) and Older Allie (Maryann Plunkett)
One night, 17-year-old Younger Noah (John Cardoza) was out with his friends, Fin (Liam Oh) and Georgie (Dorcas Leung), when they met Younger Allie (Jordan Tyson), who is visiting their beach community. Noah and Allie fall madly in love, as teens do, spending all their time together. When Allie’s parents found out, they are livid because she’s going to college while he works in a lumber yard. She sneaks out to see Noah one last time, but her Father (Jonathan Butler-Duplessis) has Noah charged with kidnapping.
Younger Noah (John Cardoza) and Younger Allie (Jordan Tyson)
Seven years later, Middle Noah (Ryan Vasquez) has come home after the war and restored the house he and Allie fell in love with. Meanwhile, Middle Allie (Joy Woods) is engaged to Lon (Omar Lopez-Cepero), and getting married in a week. When she reads an article about a house she recognizes, she decides to visit the beach community.
When she visits the house, she meets Noah again. They have dinner together and talk. Allie accuses Noah of using her, admitting how hurt and angry she was when he didn’t write. He was just as hurt and angry, since her father tried to have him charged with kidnapping. When he said he wrote her every day for a year, she said she never got any letters. When her Mother (Andréa Burns) shows up and gives her Noah’s letters, Noah begs her to stay with him.
Middle Allie (Joy Woods) and Middle Noah (Ryan Vasquez)
As Older Noah pauses in his reading, Older Allie wonders if he should be reading such a racy story. She seems to recognize him for a second or two, then she’s gone again.
The story doesn’t flow in a linear way. It’s more anecdotal, a collection of Noah’s memories. It can be a tiny bit confusing when all three Noahs and all three Allies are moving on and off the stage at the same time.
Younger Noah (John Cardoza) and Younger Allie (Jordan Tyson), Older Noah (John Beasley) and Older Allie (Maryann Plunkett), and Middle Noah (Ryan Vasquez) and Middle Allie (Joy Woods)
I loved the versatile set designed by David Zinn and Brett Banakis. With a few simple changes it moved from a room in a nursing home, to the beach, and a beautiful home. When the show concluded, lights went up above the set to reveal the full orchestra.
Note: Masks are encouraged but not required.
The Notebook runs through May 29th in The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre on Navy Pier, Chicago. Parking in CST’s designated area in the Navy Pier Garage is available at a 40% discount with validation from CST. Running time is 2 hours, 15 minutes, including an intermission.
Performances are Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays at 7:30 pm, Wednesdays at 1:00 & 7:30 pm; Saturdays at 3:00 & 8:00 pm; Sundays at 2:30 pm. Tickets range from $45-$125. FYI (312) 595-5600 or www.chicagoshakes.com/qchristmas.