# The Notebook (musical)

The Notebook is a musical with music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson and a book by Bekah Brunstetter. It is based on the 1996 novel of the same name, written by Nicholas Sparks. The musical opened on Broadway on March 14, 2024 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre and closed on December 15, 2024.

## Summary

Act 1
The show begins with an encounter in the river between the youngest forms of Noah Calhoun, and his eventual wife Allison "Allie" Calhoun (née Nelson.) The oldest form of Noah watches on, and reflects on his age as daily life begins at his nursing home. (Time) The oldest form of Allie appears, painting, but she knocks over and spills her paints. As she begins an episode, Noah enters and offers to read from a notebook, worn from years of use, and begins to read her a story about two young people: Noah and Allie, who meet while Noah is performing at a local bar along with his friends, Fin and Georgie. (Dance With Me). Though Allie is hesitant at first, since she's from a completely different world, than Noah, she agrees to let him take her for a walk. At a dock, Noah claims he's falling in love with her, while Allie laughs at that. Noah then tells her that he knows their future and that one day he'll carry her to their home as a couple. Allie is enchanted (Carry You Home). Their older versions laugh about how the love young people share. A new hire at the home named Johnny comes to give Noah physical therapy, but Noah refuses. Later, we see the young couple is sneaking around to avoid Allie's parents who disapprove of Noah's class and background. Noah sees an abandoned old house and decides he'll fix it and build it into his and Allies's home, starting by painting the shutters blue (Blue Shutters). Some time later Noah and Allie have dinner with her parents. The evening does not go well and Noah leaves angry. Him and Allie argue and Noah notices she's holding a painting. Allie explains that it was a present for him, and painting is her escape from the real world (I Paint). Noah sees the painting and is stunned by its beauty mentioning that it contains both sadness and joy. Allie is surprised that someone understands her so deeply (Sadness and Joy). Older Noah continues reading, but Nurse Lori says Allie must nap at this time. She insists Noah skip ahead in the story, and he hints at heartbreak for the young lovers. We then meet Middle Noah and Middle Allie. Noah at this age has just made the newspaper for remodeling the house as promised, and Georgie comes by to celebrate. Georgie tries to convince Noah to sell the house, but he refuses to sell it in hopes it'll bring Allie back to him (Leave The Light On). Meanwhile, Middle Allie is dining with her parents and fiancé, Lon. She looks in the newspaper, and takes sick when seeing Noah in the newspaper with the house he once promised her. Her mother still insists Lon is a much better option for Allie, but Allie can't help but wonder what Noah's life is like now (What Happens). Back in the present day, Noah and Allie's children and grandchildren visit Allie. Their son worries they can't afford to both stay in the home much longer, and Allie has an episode when she can't remember who her granddaughter is. The young and middle forms of Allie appear and sing of Old Allie's wishes to remember her life (I Wanna Go Back). We return to Young Allie, as she insists to her parents that she will be with Noah, despite them leaving town early to prevent her from doing so, but she remains dedicated despite her fears (If This Is Love). Middle Allie announces to Lon and her parents that she is taking a quick vacation before her wedding. The young lovers meet in the house and sing of both their anxieties and love for each other as they grow more physical (Kiss Me). Suddenly, Fin runs in to alert them that Allie's parents called the cops on Noah for kidnapping and that they need to leave. They have a rushed, tearful goodbye, and Noah promises to write to Allie after memorizing her address, but Fin tells Allie that Noah would be happier without her. In the present day, Allie begins to remember her husband, but forgets soon after and has an episode of Sun Downing, causing Noah to have a heart attack from the stress. Middle Allie appears at Middle Noah's doorstep (Home).
Act 2
Older Noah lays in his hospital bed as visions of the younger and middle forms of him and his wife sing of the things he didn't appreciate when he was young (We Have To Try). Older Allie now refuses to speak or participate in any activities, but Johnny is confident that he can help despite Nurse Lori's objection. Middle Noah welcomes Middle Allie into the house, and they awkwardly catch up, with Allie confessing she has a fiancé. Just as Allie is about to leave, Noah offers dinner and he takes her fishing at the lake. It begins to pour down rain, and right before they finally kiss again, Allie confronts Noah on why he never wrote her. He swears he did, and they run back inside. Their younger forms appear, encouraging them to make this moment last "Forever." Allie reveals she no longer paints when she sees her old painting on Noah's wall, and he encourages her to re-explore that hobby. They then make love. In the present day, Johnny is caught reading the book by Noah who was just regained his consciousness. Johnny promises to read the book to Allie so that Noah can rest. Noah reflects on his life with Allie and the beginning of her disease (Iron In The Fridge). Johnny lives up to his promise of reading to Allie, and starts with Middle Allie and Noah the morning after the rainstorm. Noah reveals a scar from the war, and that Fin didn't survive. Allie is sympathetic, but then shifts the conversation to Lon which upsets Noah. They blame each other for losing contact, but then Allie's Mother shows up. While firmly believing Lon is the right choice, she leaves it in Allie's hands (Don't You Worry). Allie decides to stay with Lon and begins to say goodbye to Noah, but he angrily confronts her and begs her to re-consider after she claims what they have isn't real (It's Not Easy). Allie further reflects, and decides who she loves isn't up to her mother, Noah, Lon, or anyone but herself (My Days). In the present day, Noah sneaks out of the heart attack ward, and convinces Lori to let him see his wife out of fear she's nearing the end. Visions of all the people he's known in his life appear to him as he makes his way to her room (I Love You More). He finds Allie reading the notebook, overcome with emotion as she finally remembers that this story is of her and Noah (I Know). Noah and Allie peacefully lay down in bed. Lori and Johnny find them lifeless, holding each other the next morning. The full cast appears and sings of the couple's deep love for each other (Coda).

## Productions
### Workshop (2019)

The Notebook was workshopped by the New York Stage and Film at the Powerhouse Theater at Vassar College on June 23, 2019. It was directed by Michael Greif.
On June 12, 2019, the leading actors cast in the show were announced. The cast included Hailey Kilgore as Young Allie, Vanessa Hudgens as Middle Allie, and Candy Buckley as Older Allie; Antonio Cipriano as Young Noah, Clifton Duncan as Middle Noah, and James Naughton, as Older Noah.

### Chicago (2022)

In September 2022, the show had its "world premiere" at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. The production featured direction by Michael Greif and Schele Williams, and choreography by Katie Spelman.
Portraying the principal roles of Allie and Noah were Jordan Tyson as Young Allie, Joy Woods as Middle Allie, and Maryann Plunkett, as Older Allie; John Cardoza as Young Noah, Ryan Vasquez as Middle Noah, and John Beasley as Older Noah.
This production was initially slated for fall 2020, but was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Michaelson and Brunsletter used the additional time to hold online previews and tweak their work.

### Broadway (2024)

The show began previews on February 10, 2024 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, and officially opened on March 14, 2024. The production has the same creative team as the Chicago production. Casting included Jordan Tyson as Young Allie, Joy Woods as Middle Allie, and, Maryann Plunkett, as Older Allie; John Cardoza as Young Noah, Ryan Vasquez as Middle Noah, and Dorian Harewood as Older Noah. The musical opened to mixed reviews. The show played its final performance on December 15, 2024.

### Planned North American Tour (2025)

On August 16, 2024, it was announced that the musical is scheduled to embark on a North American tour. It is expected to begin in September 2025 at the Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio. Casting and further dates are still to be announced.

## Characters and original casts

| Character | Chicago | Broadway |
| Character | 2022 | 2024 |
| Younger Noah Calhoun | John Cardoza | John Cardoza |
| Younger Allison "Allie" Nelson | Jordan Tyson | Jordan Tyson |
| Middle Noah Calhoun | Ryan Vasquez | Ryan Vasquez |
| Middle Allison "Allie" Nelson | Joy Woods | Joy Woods |
| Older Noah Calhoun | John Beasley | Dorian Harewood |
| Older Allison "Allie" Calhoun (née Nelson) | Maryann Plunkett | Maryann Plunkett |
| Nurse Lori / Mother / Others | Andréa Burns | Andréa Burns |
| Fin / Johnny / Others | Liam Oh | Carson Stewart |
| Sarah Tuffington / Others | Sophie Madorsky | Hillary Fisher |
| Father / Son / Others | Jonathan Butler-Duplessis | Charles E. Wallace |
| Georgie / Others | Dorcas Leung | Dorcas Leung |
| Lon Hammond Jr. / Others | Omar Lopez-Cepero | Chase Del Rey |
| Nurse Joanna / Others | Yassmin Alers | Yassmin Alers |

### Notable Replacements
#### Broadway (2024)

* Middle Allison "Allie" Nelson: Aisha Jackson

## Awards and nominations
### 2024 Broadway production

| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
| 2024 | Tony Awards | Best Actor in a Musical | Dorian Harewood | Nominated |
| 2024 | Tony Awards | Best Actress in a Musical | Maryann Plunkett | Nominated |
| 2024 | Tony Awards | Best Book of a Musical | Bekah Brunstetter | Nominated |
| 2024 | Drama League Award | Outstanding Production of a Musical | Outstanding Production of a Musical | Nominated |
| 2024 | Drama League Award | Distinguished Performance | Dorian Harewood | Nominated |
| 2024 | Drama League Award | Distinguished Performance | Maryann Plunkett | Nominated |
| 2024 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical | Maryann Plunkett | Nominated |
| 2025 | Grammy Awards | Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album | Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album | Nominated |