The Notebook Reviews

MD Theatre Guide- Recommended

"...Nicholas Sparks' stories are romantic, saccharine, stirring, or melodramatic, depending on who you ask. Given musical theatre often provokes similar polarized reactions, it's surprising it took decades for a producer to adapt one of his novels for stage. "The Notebook: The Musical" reimagines the famous tearjerker 1996 novel for a new decade and with a new soundtrack. While far-fetched plot hijinks may still provoke some eye-rolls from cynics, a melodic score composed by folk-pop singer Ingrid Michaelson and the resonant depiction of dementia's impact on a family elevate this romantic fable. Now on tour after a nine-month Broadway run that earned three Tony nominations, "The Notebook: The Musical" has landed at Washington, D.C.'s National Theatre for a limited run."

Theatre Bloom- Recommended

"...Inside the sadness there is joy; a powerful and universally true statement, no matter what your situation may be. And The Notebook is steeped deeply in both sadness and joy. Now touring Broadway at The National in Washington DC through the end of August, this tragically beautiful story- with music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson and book by Bekah Brunstetter, based on the novel by Nicolas Sparks- has a lot of really exquisite moments woven throughout and features some incredibly talented performers to narrate that tale."

The Georgetown Dish- Highly Recommended

"...The Notebook as a musical is a moving night in the theater. It feels so relevant in today's crazy world, making you think about life and love, and whether your own life has been lived to its fullest, allowing yourself to follow your heart. It has been said The Notebook "is a timeless love story about Noah Calhoun and Allie Hamilton, whose romance endures social barriers, separation, and the challenges of aging, ultimately proving the enduring power of true love.""

K Street Magazine- Highly Recommended

"...The production's greatest strength is the way it weaves Allie (played by Makena Jackson, Alysha Deslorieux & Yassmin Alers) and Noah (Kyle Mangold, Ken Wulf Clark & Beau Gravitte) at three different ages into one unfolding story."

DC Theater Arts- Recommended

"...The cast is wonderfully talented, with strong voices. Particular stand-outs were Alysha Deslorieux as Middle Allie and Ken Wulf Clark as Middle Noah. The acting talent of Beau Gravitte as Older Noah was particularly poignant, and Yassmin Alers as Older Allie (in the performance I saw) was convincing as a woman struggling with memory loss, and her scenes with Older Noah were particularly moving."