Theater Review – April 8, 2026

“THE NOTEBOOK” EXPLORES DIFFERENT LIFE PHASES BUT BLANDLY

“The Notebook”
Broadway Across America – Arizona, ASU Gammage
Tempe, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

The musical “The Notebook” is adapted from the popular but exceedingly sad film but both the story and the shift to a musical aren’t really sharp.  The show’s premise seems interesting as it examines how age impacts relationships within a family.

Yes, people and situations evolve over time but what “The Notebook” fails to do is make the relationships and the shifts dynamic.  The plot sputters along forever as the various pairings change in predictable ways.  Popular composer Ingrid Michaelson creates tunes that advance the plot but none stand out as compositions that stay with you after the musical ends.

The story centers on Noah and Allie at three prime points in their connection. The young infatuation of first-time love starts things as dominating parents shun the affair.  The pair strive to prove the parents wrong.  Next comes the pair in middle age who are still together even though they have explored other liaisons.  Finally, we see the pain of elderly days when physical changes threaten but still keeps them together.

The plot lacks stature as these characters aren’t sharply defined nor are their experiences anything original.  Life is, of course, often sad and challenging but the tale crafted around such well-established issues should prove fascinating.  These people provide nothing new or different.  Not only is the plot plodding and unoriginal but Michael Greif and Schele Williams’ staging on bleak and uninteresting sets further exacerbates the bland piece.

The cast portray these common characters as best they can.  With nothing interesting evolving in these people, everyone plays as expected because nobody changes or seems to learn from their life experiences.

Kyle Mangold bounds about excitedly as the Younger Noah, Ken Wulf Clark tames down a bit as the Middle Noah, and Beau Gravitte is humbled as the Older Noah.  Sharon Catherine Brown is the dementia-challenged Older Allie who has grown fearful of everyone as she loses the ability to recognize familiar people.  Alysha Deslorieux is the questioning but sexually alive Middle Allie, and Chloe Cheers is the explosive and eager to understand changing physical desires as the Younger Allie.  The rest of the small cast play other key roles in the primary two characters development.

In fairness, my companion remembered the film fondly even though it is a downer plot and she thought the music advanced the plot although, like me, she didn’t feel any tunes memorable. “The Notebook” does picture life’s ups-and-downs but not in a particularly interesting or revealing manner.  “The Notebook” continues through Sunday, April 12.  To order tickets, call the ASU Gammage box office at 480-965-3434 or order tickets online at www.asugammage.com.

Grade: C