‘A Melodic Love Story’

Key Takeaways

• The musical adaptation of "The Notebook" attempts to transform the original story into a unique version, rather than simply re-creating the experience of the book or film.
• The musical features a triple helix structure, with three actors playing Noah and three playing Allie at different times in the couple’s lives.
• The show’s handling of the romance is condensed in the early going, with a focus on the younger versions of the characters.
• The musical’s score, written by Ingrid Michaelson, is a combination of folk and Broadway pop, but lacks depth and sophistication in its lyrics.
• The production’s direction, led by Michael Greif and Schele Williams, tries to contain the material’s hokiness while preserving the story’s emotional appeal.

Introduction to the Musical
The problem with musicals based on popular books and movies is that they often try to re-create the experience of fans in a new medium, rather than attempting to transform the story into something unique. This can result in an inferior copy of the original, rather than a fresh and innovative take on the material. The musical adaptation of "The Notebook" is no exception, as it tries to balance the desire to please fans of the book and film with the need to create a new and compelling stage production.

The Story and Characters
The musical tells the story of Noah and Allie, a couple who fall in love as teenagers and are separated by social class and distance. The story is told through a triple helix structure, with three actors playing Noah and three playing Allie at different times in the couple’s lives. The younger versions of the characters, played by Kyle Mangold and Chloë Cheers, are portrayed as callow and skittish, with a focus on their vulnerable longing and adolescent passion. The middle versions of the characters, played by Jesse Corbin and Alysha Deslorieux, are shown reuniting after years of separation, with a steamy and sometimes comically intense romance. The older versions of the characters, played by Beau Gravitte and Sharon Catherine Brown, are portrayed as struggling with the challenges of aging and dementia, with a deep and abiding love that endures despite the difficulties they face.

The Music and Lyrics
The musical’s score, written by Ingrid Michaelson, is a combination of folk and Broadway pop, but lacks depth and sophistication in its lyrics. The songs are often generic and clichéd, with lyrics that fail to provide much insight into the characters or their relationships. The duets between the younger versions of Noah and Allie are particularly disappointing, with lyrics that are overly simplistic and lacking in emotional resonance. However, the musical’s handling of the older Noah and Allie storyline is a notable improvement on the movie, with a more nuanced and realistic portrayal of the challenges of aging and dementia.

The Direction and Production
The direction of Michael Greif and Schele Williams tries to contain the material’s hokiness while preserving the story’s emotional appeal. The production is well-staged and well-performed, with a strong cast and creative set design. However, the musical’s attempts to limit the amount of audience eye-rolling are not always successful, and the show’s sentimental excesses can be overwhelming at times. Despite these limitations, the production is able to pull off one genuine transformation, structuring the work as a triple helix and creating powerful moments when all three incarnations of the characters are on stage at the same time.

Conclusion
Overall, the musical adaptation of "The Notebook" is a mixed bag, with both successful and unsuccessful elements. While the show’s attempts to transform the original story into a unique stage production are admirable, the musical’s lack of depth and sophistication in its lyrics and its over-reliance on sentimental clichés are notable drawbacks. However, the production’s strong cast, creative set design, and nuanced portrayal of the older Noah and Allie storyline make it a worthwhile viewing experience for fans of the book and film. As the musical continues its run at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre and prepares to move to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, it will be interesting to see how audiences respond to this new take on a beloved story.