Critics are weighing in on the world premiere of The Notebook at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Based on the bestselling novel by Nicholas Sparks that inspired the film of the same name, the new musical began previews September 6 for a run through October 16.
Portraying Allie and Noah across their lifetimes are Jordan Tyson (The Street of New York) as Young Allie, Joy Woods (SIX the Musical) as Middle Allie, and Tony winner Maryann Plunkett (Me and My Girl) as Older Allie, John Cardoza (Jagged Little Pill) as Young Noah, Ryan Vasquez (Waitress) as Middle Noah, and John Beasley (Kennedy Center’s Fences) as Older Noah.
Read the reviews here.
Chicago Sun-Times (Steven Oxman)
Chicago Tribune (Chris Jones)*
Daily Herald (Barbara Vitello)
New City Stage (Dennis Polkow)
Third Coast Review (Nancy S Bishop)
*This review requires creating a free account or a paid subscription.
Playbill will continue to update this list as reviews come in.
Rounding out the company are Yassmin Alers (On Your Feet!), Andréa Burns (On Your Feet!), Jonathan Butler-Duplessis (Parade), Dorcas Leung (Miss Saigon), Omar Lopez-Cepero (American Idiot), Sophie Madorsky (Nice Work If You Can Get It), and Liam Oh (Next to Normal at Writers Theatre). Understudies include Alex Benoit, Mary Ernster, Jerica Exum, Jerome Harmann-Hardeman, RhonniRose Mantilla, and Carson Stewart.
WATCH: Ingrid Michaelson Performs 'If This Is Love' From The Notebook Musical
Allie and Noah share a lifetime of love despite the forces that threaten to pull them apart in the tale. The musical features a score by singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson (The Way I Am, Girls Chase Boys) and a book by Bekah Brunstetter (NBC's This Is Us). Michael Greif (Dear Evan Hansen, Rent) and Schele Williams (Aida, Motown the Musical) direct the production which features choreography by Katie Spelman.
Check out new production photos below:
Maryann Plunkett, Joy Woods, and Jordan Tyson in Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s world premiere production of The Notebookin
John Cardoza, John Beasley, and Ryan Vasquez in Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s world premiere production of The Notebook
John Cardoza and Jordan Tyson in Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s world premiere production of The Notebook
John Beasley and Maryann Plunkett in Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s world premiere production of The Notebook
John Cardoza, Jordan Tyson, John Beasley, Maryann Plunkett, Ryan Vasquez and Joy Woods in Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s world premiere production of The Notebook
Joy Woods and Ryan Vasquez in Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s world premiere production of The Notebook
-Matthew-Murphy.jpg)
