Timeless Classic ‘The Notebook’ Gets Its Broadway Adaptation

The stars of the Broadway adaptation of "The Notebook" attest that the show evokes a powerful emotional response from its audience. Dorian Harewood and Maryann Plunkett, who portray the older versions of Noah and Allie, respectively, confirm that the sounds of audience members crying can be heard from the stage. "We can hear it sometimes, and sometimes it’s very loud," Harewood notes. However, he adds that the show is not solely a tear-jerker. "We hear tons of laughter throughout the show, too.", reported TODAY.com.

Falling in Love with the Story

Neither Harewood nor Plunkett had seen the iconic 2004 film "The Notebook" before joining the Broadway cast. Plunkett was busy raising her young child, and Harewood simply missed the cultural phenomenon. Despite this, both actors fell in love with the romance between Allie and Noah through the new medium of the Broadway musical, featuring lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson and a book by Bekah Brunstetter of "This Is Us", reported by TODAY.com.

What A Timeless Classic Looks Like

Nicholas Sparks' original novel, which was adapted into a film and now a musical, follows the enduring romance of a couple from different social backgrounds. Their teenage romance is abruptly halted by Allie's disapproving parents, leading to years of separation. Allie becomes engaged to a man deemed suitable by her family, while Noah fulfills his promise to Allie by buying and restoring a house. When their paths cross again, Allie faces a pivotal decision: to continue with her preordained life or to take a bold leap towards an authentic life with Noah.

A Spectrum of Emotions

The film adaptation, starring Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling, is famously known for its emotional depth, often making viewers cry. The Broadway adaptation, directed by Michael Greif and Schele Williams, captures this same depth but also brings out the full spectrum of human emotion.

“There are people who focus on crying. But it’s life. And yeah, you cry during life. But you also laugh. There’s laughter, discovery, fierceness, depth. It’s really funny,” Plunkett explains. "It’s so beautiful that sometimes it does make water come out of my eyes."

Unique Casting Choices

The Broadway musical differentiates itself from its predecessors with notable changes. The characters of Allie and Noah are portrayed by three different sets of actors, representing various stages of their lives. Allie is consistently seen in blue, while Noah is dressed in brown. Importantly, the casting is diverse, with the roles of Allie and Noah played by actors of different races. 

“The casting is what makes it unique. I don’t think there’s ever been a casting situation like this. The emphasis is on inner energy and soul, the real essence of a human being,” Harewood says. “We may look different — we may be lighter, darker, taller, skinny or whatever — but we’re all one family. This challenges the audience to see that at the very beginning.”

A Non-linear Narrative

Like the film, the musical's narrative is non-linear, shifting between the couple's youthful romance and their older selves. The older Noah reads from a notebook to Allie, who has dementia, in an attempt to rekindle her memories. This storytelling method allows for a deeper exploration of their relationship over time.

Embracing the Emotional Depths

Plunkett and Harewood’s performances primarily occur in settings like a retirement home or a hospital, with occasional scenes in more abstract, non-linear spaces. They do not participate in the iconic rain-soaked kiss scene, which is left to the "middle" Allie and Noah, played by Joy Woods and Ryan Vasquez.

“We get the better deal. We get to watch it, and they have to get drenched and have the breeze hit them soaking wet,” Plunkett jokes.

The Personal & Relatable

Both Plunkett and Harewood bring personal experiences to their roles. Plunkett draws from her own mother's battle with dementia to portray Allie's emotional journey. "Every night, I stand there in my private spot before going on, and I say, ‘Let me be worthy,’” she shares. Her mother’s strength and humor, even in the face of dementia, deeply influence her performance.

The actors also draw inspiration from their own long-term marriages, both of which have lasted over 30 years. "It's not easy. The losses that you know you have to face. You're going, 'We're doing this. We're doing it together,’" Plunkett reflects.

Plunkett believes that "The Notebook" resonates with audiences because it reflects the lives and struggles of ordinary people. "There’s an urgency of people wanting to communicate that, ‘My life matters.’ They’re not famous people. But it means something,” she says. The story of Noah and Allie represents countless similar love stories that go unnoticed but are no less meaningful.

A Manual on Living

Ultimately, "The Notebook" is more than just a love story; it’s a reflection on life's choices and their impact. The pivotal decision by the younger Allie to choose a life with Noah over a more conventional path is a powerful moment of self-reflection for audiences. 

“That decision of saying, ‘I can go this way, or I can go that way. And at the end of my life, how will I look at how I lived my days?’ I think that is pretty damn great,” Plunkett says.

The show challenges viewers to confront their own lives and choices. "It’s not a ‘sweet’ love story, but a real one,” Plunkett adds. "It makes you feel,” Harewood concludes. “If you’re going to be in it, you can’t help but feel.”