Displaying items by tag: THE NOTEBOOK
Love and Time On Our Side: The Notebook: The Musical at Broadway in Chicago
In times of stress, we often turn to familiar and comforting things: a favorite song, a dog-eared book, a movie we’ve seen twenty-seven times. We’re drawn back to the things we know because they have a certain salve to the severity and uncertainty around us. There’s a comfort in knowing what is coming, how something will turn out, that everything works out in the end (or doesn’t if that’s your jam). We can revisit the same story over and over again, play it in the background, speak it word-for-word, and still never tire of it. Even when the same story is told through a new medium, we gravitate towards it naturally, prepared to be comforted all over again.
Sharon Catherine Brown (Older Allie) and Beau Gravitte (Older Noah) in The Notebook. All photos by Roger Mastroianni.
For many millennials, there is no better comfort show than The Notebook, now a musical presented by Broadway in Chicago through August 16th. The Notebook is a new hit musical based on the best-selling novel that inspired the iconic 2004 film. Much like the movie and the book the musical adaptation is based on, The Notebook: The Musical follows the love story of Allie and Noah, a young man and woman from different worlds, sharing a lifetime of love despite the forces that threaten to pull them apart.
Truthfully, the love story of Allie and Noah isn’t particularly groundbreaking; a rich girl and a poor boy fall in love, but societal pressures and expectations push them apart and challenge their choices, though (spoiler) their love overcomes and they find their way back to one another time and time again. One of the central themes of the story is about young love. It’s a love that grows and yet remains unchanged. It’s about a love that endures and prevails against the most wicked villain in the universe: time.
Ken Wulf Clark (Middle Noah) and Alysha Deslorieux (Middle Allie).
The Notebook: The Musical visualizes this simple love in the most compelling of ways that both the book and the movie cannot truly capture. Memories of Noah and Allie’s younger and middle selves drift across the stage as the elder versions watch with reverie, nostalgia, and sonder. The interactions with these wisps are brief and fleeting, just like time itself. Songs are reprised and echoed throughout the play just as memories do, tangible and yet somehow out of reach. The stage medium hurriedly tells the same story we know (and watch on repeat yearly), but it’s this franticness that only adds to the beauty of The Notebook. Stage productions have a limited time to convey messages they want the audience to walk away with. It’s this medium that truly captures the urgency and fleetingness of The Notebook; that time in linear, ever-present, and ticking away until there is none left. The production even hints at this central theme from the moment you enter the theatre, the sound of a distant, persistent ticking clock. Time is the enemy, and it’s in time that we drift between our past and present selves and reflect on the love between Allie and Noah. That’s what makes The Notebook so comforting. It’s time, and the time that is given to us; what more is needed in this world than to love someone so deeply, and to be so loved in return, that time doesn’t matter?
Chloë Cheers (Younger Allie) and Kyle Mangold (Younger Noah).
Truthfully, The Notebook: The Musical is not particularly a revolutionary or Tony-award-winning musical. But then again, the 2004 adaptation of the novel wasn’t winning Oscars. It’s a simple story told through a new medium with plenty of feet-kicking, giggle-worthy, heart-wrenching moments. The songs are sweet, simple, and performed with incredible vocals and an emotionally vulnerable cast that heighten the awkward, love-sick, truly sick events that make this simple story so beloved by an entire generation.
It might not be flashy. The songs might not make Broadway playlists. But this musical is worth every fleeting moment of your time. To those who the story resonates with, it will feel like a favorite book filled with marginalia, a movie you can quote word-for-word, a song that brings butterflies to your stomach after decades of hearing it. And what better way to spend your time than curling up in an auditorium theatre to watch the beloved love story? The Notebook: The Musical is now playing at the James M. Nederlander Theatre (24 W. Randolph St., Chicago) through August 16th. Don’t waste any time and get your tickets today.
The Notebook - James M. Nederlander Theatre - Through August 16th
Producers Kevin McCollum and Kurt Deutsch, along with Broadway In Chicago are thrilled to announce THE NOTEBOOK, a new musical based on the best-selling novel that inspired the iconic film, is now playing at Broadway In Chicago’s James M. Nederlander Theatre (24 W. Randolph St.). THE NOTEBOOK is playing for a limited engagement through August 16 only. Returning to Chicago following the world premiere in Summer 2022, audiences in Chicago are about to fall in love all over again with this beloved story.
“THE NOTEBOOK is ultimately a celebration of life, love, and the power of memory,” said producers Kevin McCollum and Kurt Deutsch . “Audiences first fell in love with this timeless story as a novel, then as an iconic film, and now they can experience it anew as a moving musical event. With multi-platinum artist Ingrid Michaelson’s unforgettable score and Tony Award nominated Bekah Brunstetter’s beautifully crafted book, THE NOTEBOOK comes to life on stage in a way that will resonate deeply with audiences across North America.”
Allie and Noah, two people from different worlds, share a lifetime of love despite the forces that threaten to pull them apart. “Full of butterfly-inducing highs and beautiful songs” (Entertainment Weekly), THE NOTEBOOK is a deeply moving portrait of the enduring power of love.
Based on the book that has sold millions of copies worldwide and a film that is one of the highest-grossing romantic dramas of all-time, the musical adaptation of THE NOTEBOOK played Broadway at the Schoenfeld Theatre from March 2024 to December 2024 following a critically acclaimed world premiere engagement at Chicago Shakespeare Theater in 2022.
“Absolutely gorgeous. Not to be missed.” – Chicago Tribune
THE NOTEBOOK features music and lyrics by multi-platinum singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson and a book by playwright Bekah Brunstetter (writer and producer on NBC's “This Is Us,” The Cake). The production is directed by Michael Greif (Dear Evan Hansen, Next to Normal, RENT) and Schele Williams (Aida, The Wiz), with choreography by Katie Spelman (Associate Choreographer on Moulin Rouge! The Musical).
“Romantic, life-affirming and ingeniously adapted.” – USA Today
The creative team for the tour includes scenic design by David Zinn and Brett J. Banakis, costume design by Paloma Young, lighting design by Ben Stanton, sound design by Nevin Steinberg, hair and wig design by Mia Neal, and projection design by Lucy Mackinnon. The production’s music supervisor is Carmel Dean, who also collaborated on arrangements with Ingrid Michaelson and on orchestrations with John Clancy, and the music director is Tina Faye. Casting by The Telsey Office, Patrick Goodwin , CSA.
The production was recently recognized with three 2024 Tony Award nominations (Best Book of a Musical, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical), Drama League Award nominations for Outstanding Production of a Musical, two Distinguished Performance Awards and the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing, Drama Desk Award nominations for Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical, and an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical.
“A love story for the ages.” – The New York Daily News
Atlantic Records officially released the Grammy-nominated THE NOTEBOOK (Original Broadway Cast Recording), with a score that Vanity Fair calls “strikingly beautiful” by multiplatinum singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson, available HERE.
Following its release, THE NOTEBOOK (Original Broadway Cast Recording) debuted at #1 on the Top Broadway chart in Music Connect, with breakout single “My Days” now surpassing 9 million streams on Spotify alone.
www.NotebookMusical.com
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PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Tuesday, August 4 – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, August 5 – 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, August 6 – 7:00 p.m.
Friday, August 7 – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 8 – 2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, August 9 – 1:00 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, August 11 – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, August 12 – 1:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, August 13 – 7:00 p.m.
Friday, August 14 – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 15 – 2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, August 16 – 1:00 p.m.
TICKET INFORMATION As of August 4, based on availability and subject to change)
Individual tickets for THE NOTEBOOK are on sale now and range from $37.00 - $132.00 with a select number of premium tickets available. Ticket price listed is when purchased in person at the box office. Additional fees apply for online purchases. Patrons can also participate in a digital lottery for a chance to purchase $30.00 tickets for each performance, which is inclusive of all mandatory taxes, restoration, handling, and third-party fees. In addition to the lottery, a limited number of day-of-show, in-person Rush tickets will be available for $49.00 for all performances. Click here for more info on Digital Lottery and In-Person Rush. Tickets are available now for groups of 10 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.
ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO
Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 26 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including the Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, James M. Nederlander Theatre, The Auditorium, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place.
For more information and tickets, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.
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Free Metra rides for all Broadway In Chicago Shows all summer
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Broadway In Chicago and Metra are pleased to announce a new promotion featuring nine shows coming to Chicago this summer: CHICAGO THE MUSICAL, LES MISÉRABLES, SPAMALOT, KINKY BOOTS, WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, SUFFS, & JULIET, THE NOTEBOOK, and THE OUTSIDERS. |
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Telegraph). Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, LES MISÉRABLES tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption – a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. The magnificent score of LES MISÉRABLES includes the songs “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Bring Him Home,” “One Day More” and many more. |
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The original Broadway production was nominated for fourteen Tony Awards and won three, including best musical. The musical comedy lovingly ripped off from the film classic, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, SPAMALOT features well-known song titles such as “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,” “The Song That Goes Like This,” “Find Your Grail” and more that have become beloved classics in the musical theatre canon. |
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by Cyndi Lauper, book by four-time Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein , and original direction and Tony-winning choreography by Jerry Mitchell. |
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dazzling” life (Time Out New York) in a unique, spectacle-filled new musical! Hailed as a Critic’s Pick, The New York Times calls it “stunning, emotional, heart-filled and gorgeously imaginative.” |
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musical SUFFS about the brilliant, passionate, and funny American women who fought tirelessly for the right to vote. Created by Shaina Taub, the first woman to ever independently win Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Score in the same season, this “thrilling, inspiring and dazzlingly entertaining” (Variety ) new musical boldly explores the triumphs and failures of a struggle for equality that’s far from over. Winner of the Outer Critics’ Circle Award for Best New Musical. |
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ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love — her way. |
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songs” (Entertainment Weekly), THE NOTEBOOK is a deeply moving portrait of the enduring power of love, and features music by singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson and a book by TV’s Bekah Brunstetter (“This Is Us”). |
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who they want to become in a world that will never accept them. THE OUTSIDERS features Danya Taymor’s Tony Award winning direction that’s “refreshing, gritty, and endlessly effective.” (The New York Times). With “high-octane choreography” (New York Magazine), THE OUTSIDERS has been described as “more pulse-pounding than anything else on Broadway!” (Time Out New York). |
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