A Musical Tear-Jerker or Just All Wet?
Broadway Musical of the Popular Romance Hits All-Too-Familiar Notes
March 14, 2024 at 9:00 pm
Weepies by Nicholas Sparks are so reliably formulaic that you could set your watch to them. The Notebook is no exception. The 2004 movie, which starred Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, tells the story of a young couple who fall in love in the 1940s, but are separated by World War II. They are reunited years later, but their love is tested by Alzheimer's disease.
The musical adaptation of The Notebook, which opened on Broadway in March 2024, is a faithful adaptation of the film. The plot, characters, and dialogue are all largely the same. The big difference is the music. The musical features a score by Ingrid Michaelson, and the songs are pleasant enough, but they don't add much to the story. In fact, they often feel like they're interrupting the flow of the action.
Ultimately, The Notebook is a perfectly fine musical. It's well-made and the performances are strong. But it's also a very predictable and conventional story. If you're a fan of Nicholas Sparks's novels, you'll probably enjoy The Notebook musical. But if you're looking for something new and innovative, you might be disappointed.
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