**** Recommended The Notebook production that rolled into the Nederlander Theatre last week truly brings the story to life. I think Bekah Brunstetter’s adaptation is better than the movie. It’s a play with music, as Ingrid Michaelson’s melodic, emotional score fits the story perfectly Don’t look for big production numbers, flashy choreography or sparkly costumes. Be sure to bring your tissues, you’ll need them! 4 BIG Spotlights
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.
Noah Calhoun (Beau Gravitte), is worried about his wife, Allie (Sharon Catherine brown), who has Alzheimer’s Disease. The staff in the nursing home seem to get her very agitated. Even though she doesn’t recognize him, he starts to read a story to her.
One night, 17-year-old Noah (Kyle Mangold) was out with his friends, Fin (Caleb Mathura) and Georgie (Grace Ohwensadeyo Rundberg), when they met Allie (Chloe Cheers), who is visiting their beach community. Noah and Allie fall madly in love, as teens do, spending all their time together. When Allie’s Mother (Anne Tolepegin) and Father (Jerome Harmann-Hardeman) find out, they are livid because the plan for her to go to college while he just works in a lumber yard. When she sneaks out to see Noah one last time, her father has Noah charged with kidnapping.
The three ages of Noah. Provided photo.
Seven years later, Noah (Ken Wulf) has come home after the war and restored the house he and Allie fell in love with. Meanwhile, Allie (Alysha Deslorieux) is engaged to Lon (Jesse Corbin), 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 runs into Noah. 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 shows up and gives her Noah’s letters, Noah begs her to stay with him.
Three ages of Ally in The Notebook. Provided photo.
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.
I loved the versatile set. With a few simple changes it moved from a room in a nursing home, to the beach, and a beautiful home.
The Cast of The Notebook. Provided photo.
Maybe you noticed – Allie’s mother is also Nurse Lori, both played by Anne Tolpegin. Also appearing: Johnny (Connor Richardson); Nurse Joanna (Rayna Hickman); Sarah / Grandaughter (Makena Jackson.
The Notebook was published in 1996. In an interesting twist, 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.
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 and now to this production. Maybe that’s why the reviews were so mixed
The Notebook runs through August 16th at the James M. Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph, Chicago. Running time is 2 hours, 20 minutes, including an intermission. Performances: Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays at 7:00 pm, Wednesday at 1:00 & 7:00 pm, Saturday at 2:00 & 7:30 pm, Sunday at 1:00 pm, Tickets: $37-$102. FYI www.BroadwayInChicago.com