I make a passing joke about animal abuse at Sea World in this video, based on an uninformed preconception - apologies for this, I'll try and cut this out when I'm back at a computer!
no its accurate orcas are very intelligent and do not want to be kept in enclosed pools performing tricks to tourists / they initially said they were going to phase this out but have since carried on their inhumane programme
SPOILERS: I really love the colorblind casting. The headcanon that people said where as it is a story being read to Allie, she is picturing random people and not themselves. Which works because Allie is the only one who actually LOOKS at the younger selves while Noah never does because he knows who they actually are.
I am SO obsessed with this show and I personally loved the colorblind casting. After the first number I knew exactly what was going on and I love to see representation. I’ve been waiting a VERY long time for this cast recording to come out and since, I’ve had it on repeat. I couldn’t get these songs out of my head after I saw it in Chicago. “I’ll leave the light on” haunted me and now I get to hear it anytime I want.
I feel so validated by your thoughts on Joy Woods. I first saw her as one of the urchins in Little Shop of Horrors at the Westside Theatre; by intermission, my husband and I knew she'd be a star. We were fortunate enough to see her as Audrey last year, which was delightful. Your review makes me so excited to book tickets to NYC for this.
I was waiting for this review! I loved this show so much. Never had I bawled as hard during a musical as I did with this show. It's my absolute favorite this season.
Maryann is an acquaintance of mine. I worked on a show with her son two years ago and when she came to see it she let slip that this was her next project. She also shared stories about working with Sondheim which made me cry. She’s one of the kindest people in theater I have ever met and I’m so happy for her in this production!
I just saw this tonight. I enjoyed every moment of it and rank it among the best shows I’ve seen. It didn’t need to try and make me cry….. it just happened. Every one around me was in tears by the end. Absolutely amazing. All the things you were critical of, I had no issues with - but I’m not a theatre critic 🤷♂️
Did you know that Ryan Vasquez, who plays Middle Noah of the Notebook was apart of the out of town productions of The Outsiders and Water for Elephants? All of them are on the same block/street. The Notebook - Gerard Schoenfeld Theatre The Outsiders - Bernard Jacobs Theatre Water for Elephants - Imperial Theatre
I saw this at the matinee yesterday (5/29), after winning the lottery and sitting 2nd row center. I cried like a baby, due to both of my grandmother's passing from complications with dementia. I thought the show was very well paced, and agree would have LOVED if "if this is love" to be reprised more, or to become a recurring theme. But, THE ACTING, I had no words. I enjoyed this very much. I am going to see Oh, Mary, Cabaret, The Outsiders and still have one more opening for a show in July. Always enjoy your content.
I brought my mom to see this at the beginning of April. She chose it as part of her Christmas gift. Overall, I really enjoyed it. I particularly liked the younger and older Allie and Noahs. Hearing you talk about the disconnect with the middle pairing and the sort of dismissive way she finally chose him is so validating. I honestly couldn't believe that was the big reunion. In the middle of someone else singing, when it could have very much been a flashback to something else, as you said. I also didn't like that we didn't have to see her break up with Lon, so choosing Noah felt too easy. There were no consequences to her actions there. She gets her happy ending, and Lon just vanishes. I absolutely loved when they had the multiple generations on stage together. "I Am Still In Here" is one of my favorite songs from the show. The harmonies are beautiful! The performances in this show were amazing. I really enjoyed everyone in this cast. Carson Stuwart is my favorite of the non Allie and Noahs. His delivery of his comedic lines was just what everyone needed between all the tears. I also really appreciated the way they used the supporting cast in their roles. The way that the nurse and Allie's mother were played by the same person. But also Allie's dad was then Noah and Allie's son. And younger Allie and Noah then played the grandchildren. I just appreciated that attention to detail. And as you also said, the set was really good as well. I liked the way they used the dock and the stream along with all of the lighting they did with the screen in the back. The last show I saw before The Notebook was Merrily We Roll along, which had barely any changes. So this was a big step up in that department. Thank you for your review, and I'm so glad you got to see it while you were here. I've never seen a show so early in its run, even before there were any cast recordings for me to listen to beforehand. I liked hearing your thoughts, and most of them are pretty in line with my feelings about it as well. But if you ask my mom, she said it's one of the best things she's ever seen... Other than Hamilton and Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat. 🙂
I saw John Cardoza as Christian in Moulin Rouge on tour in New Orleans. He was absolutely exceptional there and I can imagine he was an amazing Noah. I’m so glad you enjoyed his performance!
Thank you for sharing your reviews from this trip. Especially taking the time to ask for more POC in young romantic roles. I couldn't agree more. Grey House is still my favorite Broadway experience; I'm eager to see if 2024 tops it
Not on the other platforms, so very much looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the shows you mentioned. I saw several of those when I was there. Thanks for this review. Not sure I will see this on my next trip. So hard to schedule everything you want to see since this season is so jammed. If you’re in the East Village for any off Broadway shows, stop at Veniero’s Cafe for decadent desserts. It’s over 100 years old. They have a few gluten free options for Aeron.
I absolutely loved this review, I saw this a few weeks ago and just like you I haven't seen the movie or read the novel. I was so happy to watch when I got back home from my trip and let me tell you that I enjoyed the musical WAY more than the movie. I feel like the movie was rushed so much compared to the show (obviously it's longer). I would love to see you do a reaction video of you watching the movie and comparing the two. I am going back to NYC next weekend and seeing Lempicka, Hell's Kitchen, Cabaret & The Great Gatsby....I can't wait and love your videos!
I am so excited to see all your reviews, currently planning a trip for June and there are so many new musicals that all look so amazing that it’s hard to narrow down what I’m going to see. Love hearing your thoughts!
We saw this twice in Chicago because we loved it so much the first time! I'm glad I always carry tissues with me because I had to share them with my seatmates at intermission. It's definitely rough and clunky in some spots, but the emotional impact is absolutely worth the price of admission.
I love your reviews! Glad you're having a great trip! My two daughters went to see The Great Gatsby last Thursday and they were really hoping to run into you!
I saw it yesterday (and am also among the few people who have never seen the movie) and THANK YOU for explaining the storytelling issues because I completely agree but couldn't figure out exactly why I thought the middle couple scenes weren't quite right. I do suspect there was an attempt at greater suspense about middle Allie's choice, or at least the timing of it, but it just didn't work well. I really wanted her to simply decide to walk back up the steps, and a middle couple reprise duet would indeed make so much sense there! (And a repeat of the same motif for the older couple would also have been nice. Music is indeed almost always the last memory to go.) The end of the show, when the entire ensemble joins in singing Coda, "Will you remember me?" , was so powerful...I wanted to have had more of that throughout the show.. The use of the river is fantastic though, and despite the stairs flying away at a strange moment, overall the scenic design is great and the changes are so seamlessly done, they really help make sense of the time jumps and transitions between the three couples.
While he could be considered white-passing, as far as I’m aware Ryan Vazquez (Middle Noah) is a Latino POC- I believe he’s the first actor to have played Hamilton, Burr, and Washington in Hamilton on Broadway or otherwise. I saw him as Burr on tour and he was fantastic!
I’m so glad you called out that the show doesn’t know how to land the moment they reunite after My Days. That’s the song that sold me on seeing it, and it was amazing but it felt like the director…didn’t know what to do with it. We don’t see her make a choice during the song, then there’s just a full blackout afterwards and then no follow up scene, such a strange choice to handle one of the biggest emotional climaxes of the show. But the performance was incredible, it just needed a landing pad.
I also had no knowledge of the story beforehand! With the staircase disappearing, I got the impression they were trying to make the audience question what her choice really was, but we already knew what it was because of the structure of the show, so that didn't work great for me either. I knew they were getting together and desperately wanted the big moment where Noah got to realize Alli's choice. It was a bummer to basically have that happen in the wings, but I still loved the show overall. I saw it last week and knew you were in town, so I was actively scanning the seats during intermission to see if I could spot you.
Really enjoyed your comments on The Notebook. The only thing I might add is that aside from giving a charming performance, John Cardoza has a glorious voice. I was disappointed that the show was quickly dismissed by the New York Times as trying too hard to tug at the heartstrings. To me it had a lovely sincerity and many genuine heartfelt moments.
Fascinating review. I am on the fence about seeing this, mainly because there are other shows I really want to see this season, like Outsiders and Hell's Kitchen. Hope you're having a great time! Seeing Cabaret on Saturday! Can't wait to see it again and compare it to London.
When I saw this a couple weeks ago, I loved it but I did remember feeling like there were things missing that I couldn’t really articulate, but I think you did. I also really wanted more from the letter reveal, like a song of her reading snippets of all the letters cause the scene in the movie is her in her car in the rain crying as she reads through them. I have seen the movie and read the book, but it has been like over a decade so it was fun to revisit in a new format, and I love the songs but I agree that it is missing some cohesive story moments.
Another great review! There were many gaps and missed opportunities that the directors should have caught. Loved your suggestion of a reprise duet of If This Is Love in particular. Also while the melodies are often great, some of the lyrics are embarrassingly weak.
This was also my introduction to the story. My quibble is that these two don't have much going on outside their love for each other. The show has no interest in their kids, their friends or career ambitions. Just their endless pining. At times it reminded me of "The Fantasticks," another archetypal boy meets girl musical.
Totally agree with many points! I definitely enjoyed many songs but kept sitting there thinking is it going to “change” at any point? Like when are we getting an upbeat number or two tapping one? It all seemed to be at the same pace. Not sure if that is the right word for it. I wouldn’t say the show was bad. Not at all. I know someone who is going to see it soon but I haven’t talked to him yet. And I don’t want to say my favorite part is the Physical Therapist 😅 The fact that he had caught my attention and I wanted more of him sort of said something. But yeah something was lacking with the book & score in my opinion. Not my favorite. Not the worst show I’ve ever seen. Wouldn’t recommend it but I wouldn’t advise against it either if you are a lover of the movie or the book. While leaving the theater everyone else seemed to love it. But I’m a huge Broadway person and try to see everything so I usually have a different opinion 😐
This is like so late but I just saw the show today and I have thoughts and don’t know where to put them lol. I really enjoyed the show. My biggest problems were with the score. There were some excellent songs (If This is Love, My Days, What Happens, some of my favorites) elevated by even more excellent performances. However I thought there were some songs that were just too short? Like “I Paint” was a bit of a nothing song, especially because it is almost immediately followed by “Sadness and Joy.” There are also some moments, particularly towards the end that I wanted to feel the emotion, and I probably would have if the moment was elevated by a better written song. The biggest offender of this was “Iron in the Fridge.” That moment should be heart wrenching, and Dorian Harewood is really selling it, but that song just did not do it for me. “Kiss Me” is another example, and while that moment has some adorable awkwardness and chemistry between the actors, those lyrics man. Very cringy, and I guess that’s kinda the point? But idk it was just too much.i agree that If This Is Love should’ve had a reprise, I think the moment Middle Noah is trying to convince Middle Allie to stay would’ve been a good time. Anyways, thank you for this space 4 months later lol.
as someone who's seen the movie, i don't think any of your notes would've changed if you had! I was so confused by the middle allie/noah final reunion... i was like 'is this the big moment that this whole younger storyline as been building up to? nah it'd be bigger than that'
I went in this show with very high expectations, and I was disappointed. People seem to like this show for two reasons: the performers and their nostalgia of the movie. Plot felt thinly written compared to the movie, the songs weren’t that memorable , and it even felt dragged a lot in second act as if it didn’t have enough plot to fill the time (for example, that fiance guy literally had like one song I felt bad for the guy that got cast cause I actually wondered what he was doing for the rest of the show backstage) I was in shock thinking I was cold hearted when people started sobbing by the end. I feel like it was trying to hard to tell the audiences how they were supposed to feel rather than genuinely move them. But I guess all great chic flicks resort to the same tactics. Glad you liked it though, I guess to each his own.
I enjoy your reviews, always concise and to the point. However, as someone pointed out, the way you dissect and analyze a show, you should be a director.
I really want to see the show. However, I am kind pissed that critics gave mixed reviews to this show despite how audience are positively receptive and moved on with this show.
Oh don't worry. It'll made a ton of money and then tour and make even more money. Regional theaters will do it and then high schools. They will have their last laugh.
I really did NOT like the movie and only went on the basis of a friend posting one of the songs but I must say I loved this show especially the performances of older Noah and esp Ali. Maryann Plunkett gives a transcendent performance that will remain with me for a long time
Has anyone else gone recently and thought Ryan Vasquez was awful? When I went he was very pitchy, very flat, to the point the audience didn't know whether to clap or not at the end of "leave the light on". Also what the heck is the acting for his middle Noah. I'm not sure if it's the director or the actor, but he's just so goofy, which completely takes you out of the story. He thought the love of his life ghosted him, he saw her happy with someone else, his best friend was killed in war, his dad died, he had nothing left. But he's silly and corky? He should be a sullen man, a shell of his former self. I love the album so I give the show a 7.1/10. Had the potential to be an 8+ with a different casting for middle noah and different directing take.
I did not love the three sets of Noah's and Allie's. I would have preferred keeping it to two (young/middle and then older). I think it makes it hard to emotionally connect to three separate couples as "leads". I did not love the colorblind casting. Even though the cast itself (the 6 actors playing the 3 different aged couples) are OUTSTANDING in their talent and depictions... I felt it was a little awkward for lack of a better word. perfectly fine with the difference in races between Allie and Noah.. but I would have preferred seeing Allie stay african american and same for Noah - would have preferred him to stay causcasion. I feel like that can be confusing to the audience. I understood and followed right away, however I had seen the movie. I do not care what race they are, just keep them the same as they age basically. Positives - The music has some lovely highlights (Leave the Light On, Sadness and Joy). The cast is stellar. Absolutely knock it out of the park. I bawled my eyes out and did enjoy it , I just had a couple of small issues with it.
Your stance on refusing to review THE UNFRIEND compels me to mention that The Notebook is based on a novel by Nicholas Sparks, a conservative Christian writer. Sparks has donated $20 million to date to build and fund Epiphany School, a conservative Christian academy which he oversees personally. In a heated argument with the school's headmaster and made public, Sparks announced that he would never allow any form of "GLBT" [sic] student organization or any open support or normalization of homosexuality.
This is a concern only in you feel Nicholas Sparks and even the book he created is at the heart of this new musical work. “The Notebook” transcends the Nicholas Sparks novel and the popular movie spawned from it in every way. It no longer is simply a Nicholas Sparks “weepie,” even though it’s been regarded as just that by unfair NY critics; the musical is a mediation on the passage of time, grief, aging and memory. It is a tone poem, a memory musical in ways that Sparks’ pulpy story never approached. The considerable achievement of this musical is that it successfully walks a fine line: It doesn’t abandon sentimentality or even over-the-top romance that made the movie so popular, but it is able to use those unsubtle elements to deepen its resonance and significance to levels Sparks could not even imagine. This is all to say that I most decidedly am not a fan of Nicholas Sparks, his works or his ugly “politics,” but I am a big fan of “The Notebook” on Broadway where Sparks is only a launching pad to stage a much richer, deeper and more compassionate vision.
Yes! I forgot to mention the costume design that cleverly signifies each character throughout, brilliant use of colour. And context makes everything obvious in any case.
Casting actors of different skin colors as the sams charather at different ages is too confusing ! A LOT of general audince are not going to fellow this i think.
Ok...hear me out...colour blind cssting... good however if old noah is black the other two noahs need to be black and if old ali is white.. the two other Ali's need to be white... purely because skin colour doesn't change as you get older. Similar to frozen where a young Elsa i believe was black yet Samantha barks...is white... completely ruins the disbelief right away
Except the old versions aren't literally them- they're retroactive visualization of how the dementia-struck Allie is picturing the story she is being read while not realizing that the story is about her and old Noah
The point of color blind casting is to not see color. Look at brandy’s Cinderella 1997; the queen was black, the king was white, and Prince Charming was Filipino. Nobody cared because it didn’t affect the story
ooof the uninformed Seaworld comment really?!? no just no EDIT: appreciate this being addressed in a calm manner. It's a touchy subject not meant to be argued here. As someone who has seen their rescue efforts first hand please don't let one film fabricated with lies dwindle all the hard work they do 💙 Anyway back to listening to the beautiful OCR of this show 🤧
Appreciate you not just deleting or trying to ignore. xx I don't want to try to educate in the comments cause I don't want too much distraction from the review itself. Happy to find some sources that tell you want a certain film fabricated & also would love to see you visit when you do make it down to Orlando or one of their other locations. The rescue work they do is truly inspiring. 💙
The race should match for a character for the entire of the characters existence in a given show. It is wild that you think that it's ok to force the audience to play pretend in their mind. There is no excuse for this bizarre wokism, meanwhile they cast celebrities all the time as if that is not contrary to the idea of "casting the "best" person"
I make a passing joke about animal abuse at Sea World in this video, based on an uninformed preconception - apologies for this, I'll try and cut this out when I'm back at a computer!
I laughed heartily at it, so you’re not alone in what your understanding was
Mickey I feel like you're actually a director masquerading as a critic!
no its accurate orcas are very intelligent and do not want to be kept in enclosed pools performing tricks to tourists / they initially said they were going to phase this out but have since carried on their inhumane programme
Whales are not meant to live in pools of that size. It IS abuse, the joke is accurate.
I don't see why the joke needs to be cut out. I didn't find it off color or offensive. And it's true that sea world abused animals.
SPOILERS:
I really love the colorblind casting. The headcanon that people said where as it is a story being read to Allie, she is picturing random people and not themselves. Which works because Allie is the only one who actually LOOKS at the younger selves while Noah never does because he knows who they actually are.
Oh I like this a lot, that's a really exciting take!
This is how I've come to look at the choice as well
I am SO obsessed with this show and I personally loved the colorblind casting. After the first number I knew exactly what was going on and I love to see representation. I’ve been waiting a VERY long time for this cast recording to come out and since, I’ve had it on repeat. I couldn’t get these songs out of my head after I saw it in Chicago. “I’ll leave the light on” haunted me and now I get to hear it anytime I want.
I feel so validated by your thoughts on Joy Woods. I first saw her as one of the urchins in Little Shop of Horrors at the Westside Theatre; by intermission, my husband and I knew she'd be a star. We were fortunate enough to see her as Audrey last year, which was delightful. Your review makes me so excited to book tickets to NYC for this.
I’m so glad you enjoyed this and are promoting it. It’s not getting nearly the love it deserves this season. 😊
I was waiting for this review! I loved this show so much. Never had I bawled as hard during a musical as I did with this show. It's my absolute favorite this season.
Maryann is an acquaintance of mine. I worked on a show with her son two years ago and when she came to see it she let slip that this was her next project. She also shared stories about working with Sondheim which made me cry. She’s one of the kindest people in theater I have ever met and I’m so happy for her in this production!
I just saw this tonight. I enjoyed every moment of it and rank it among the best shows I’ve seen. It didn’t need to try and make me cry….. it just happened. Every one around me was in tears by the end. Absolutely amazing. All the things you were critical of, I had no issues with - but I’m not a theatre critic 🤷♂️
Did you know that Ryan Vasquez, who plays Middle Noah of the Notebook was apart of the out of town productions of The Outsiders and Water for Elephants? All of them are on the same block/street.
The Notebook - Gerard Schoenfeld Theatre
The Outsiders - Bernard Jacobs Theatre
Water for Elephants - Imperial Theatre
Oh wow 😊
I saw this in Chicago during the out of town try out with my drama club. Oh my god we were all sobbing after as we met the cast.
I saw this at the matinee yesterday (5/29), after winning the lottery and sitting 2nd row center. I cried like a baby, due to both of my grandmother's passing from complications with dementia. I thought the show was very well paced, and agree would have LOVED if "if this is love" to be reprised more, or to become a recurring theme. But, THE ACTING, I had no words. I enjoyed this very much. I am going to see Oh, Mary, Cabaret, The Outsiders and still have one more opening for a show in July. Always enjoy your content.
I brought my mom to see this at the beginning of April. She chose it as part of her Christmas gift. Overall, I really enjoyed it. I particularly liked the younger and older Allie and Noahs.
Hearing you talk about the disconnect with the middle pairing and the sort of dismissive way she finally chose him is so validating. I honestly couldn't believe that was the big reunion. In the middle of someone else singing, when it could have very much been a flashback to something else, as you said. I also didn't like that we didn't have to see her break up with Lon, so choosing Noah felt too easy. There were no consequences to her actions there. She gets her happy ending, and Lon just vanishes.
I absolutely loved when they had the multiple generations on stage together. "I Am Still In Here" is one of my favorite songs from the show. The harmonies are beautiful! The performances in this show were amazing. I really enjoyed everyone in this cast. Carson Stuwart is my favorite of the non Allie and Noahs. His delivery of his comedic lines was just what everyone needed between all the tears. I also really appreciated the way they used the supporting cast in their roles. The way that the nurse and Allie's mother were played by the same person. But also Allie's dad was then Noah and Allie's son. And younger Allie and Noah then played the grandchildren. I just appreciated that attention to detail. And as you also said, the set was really good as well. I liked the way they used the dock and the stream along with all of the lighting they did with the screen in the back. The last show I saw before The Notebook was Merrily We Roll along, which had barely any changes. So this was a big step up in that department.
Thank you for your review, and I'm so glad you got to see it while you were here. I've never seen a show so early in its run, even before there were any cast recordings for me to listen to beforehand. I liked hearing your thoughts, and most of them are pretty in line with my feelings about it as well. But if you ask my mom, she said it's one of the best things she's ever seen... Other than Hamilton and Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat. 🙂
John Cardoza is a true triple threat; an amazing talent, incredibly intelligent & unbelievably kind.
I saw John Cardoza as Christian in Moulin Rouge on tour in New Orleans. He was absolutely exceptional there and I can imagine he was an amazing Noah. I’m so glad you enjoyed his performance!
I’m so glad you saw this. I loved this so much.
What a great review. It’s so well thought out. Thank you for your advocacy for POC romantic leads.
Thank you for sharing your reviews from this trip. Especially taking the time to ask for more POC in young romantic roles. I couldn't agree more.
Grey House is still my favorite Broadway experience; I'm eager to see if 2024 tops it
Not on the other platforms, so very much looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the shows you mentioned. I saw several of those when I was there.
Thanks for this review. Not sure I will see this on my next trip. So hard to schedule everything you want to see since this season is so jammed.
If you’re in the East Village for any off Broadway shows, stop at Veniero’s Cafe for decadent desserts. It’s over 100 years old. They have a few gluten free options for Aeron.
I absolutely loved this review, I saw this a few weeks ago and just like you I haven't seen the movie or read the novel. I was so happy to watch when I got back home from my trip and let me tell you that I enjoyed the musical WAY more than the movie. I feel like the movie was rushed so much compared to the show (obviously it's longer). I would love to see you do a reaction video of you watching the movie and comparing the two. I am going back to NYC next weekend and seeing Lempicka, Hell's Kitchen, Cabaret & The Great Gatsby....I can't wait and love your videos!
So excited. I’m seeing this Saturday afternoon!!!!
I am so excited to see all your reviews, currently planning a trip for June and there are so many new musicals that all look so amazing that it’s hard to narrow down what I’m going to see. Love hearing your thoughts!
We saw this twice in Chicago because we loved it so much the first time! I'm glad I always carry tissues with me because I had to share them with my seatmates at intermission. It's definitely rough and clunky in some spots, but the emotional impact is absolutely worth the price of admission.
I love your reviews! Glad you're having a great trip! My two daughters went to see The Great Gatsby last Thursday and they were really hoping to run into you!
Oh no, I was there the next day! What are the chances? Hope they enjoyed 😁
Just saw this last week among four other musicals and found the music of this production to be outstanding.
I saw it yesterday (and am also among the few people who have never seen the movie) and THANK YOU for explaining the storytelling issues because I completely agree but couldn't figure out exactly why I thought the middle couple scenes weren't quite right. I do suspect there was an attempt at greater suspense about middle Allie's choice, or at least the timing of it, but it just didn't work well. I really wanted her to simply decide to walk back up the steps, and a middle couple reprise duet would indeed make so much sense there! (And a repeat of the same motif for the older couple would also have been nice. Music is indeed almost always the last memory to go.)
The end of the show, when the entire ensemble joins in singing Coda, "Will you remember me?" , was so powerful...I wanted to have had more of that throughout the show..
The use of the river is fantastic though, and despite the stairs flying away at a strange moment, overall the scenic design is great and the changes are so seamlessly done, they really help make sense of the time jumps and transitions between the three couples.
While he could be considered white-passing, as far as I’m aware Ryan Vazquez (Middle Noah) is a Latino POC- I believe he’s the first actor to have played Hamilton, Burr, and Washington in Hamilton on Broadway or otherwise. I saw him as Burr on tour and he was fantastic!
But Latino isn't a race, it's a nationality. So like Cuban, Mexican, etc. They're a mixture of different races in a certain Nation.
Beautiful show! Great cast!🙌🏾
So happy the first review I hear about this show is a positive one 🥰 I love the book and the original film and I hope the musical gets a uk transfer
Maryann Plunkett 100% insta-lock best actress in a musical RETURNING CHAMP
I’m so glad you called out that the show doesn’t know how to land the moment they reunite after My Days. That’s the song that sold me on seeing it, and it was amazing but it felt like the director…didn’t know what to do with it. We don’t see her make a choice during the song, then there’s just a full blackout afterwards and then no follow up scene, such a strange choice to handle one of the biggest emotional climaxes of the show. But the performance was incredible, it just needed a landing pad.
I just won lottery tickets and am looking forward to seeing it tomorrow. Glad you enjoyed it❣️
I also had no knowledge of the story beforehand! With the staircase disappearing, I got the impression they were trying to make the audience question what her choice really was, but we already knew what it was because of the structure of the show, so that didn't work great for me either. I knew they were getting together and desperately wanted the big moment where Noah got to realize Alli's choice. It was a bummer to basically have that happen in the wings, but I still loved the show overall. I saw it last week and knew you were in town, so I was actively scanning the seats during intermission to see if I could spot you.
Really enjoyed your comments on The Notebook. The only thing I might add is that aside from giving a charming performance, John Cardoza has a glorious voice. I was disappointed that the show was quickly dismissed by the New York Times as trying too hard to tug at the heartstrings. To me it had a lovely sincerity and many genuine heartfelt moments.
Stunning musical, across the board. Music, libretto, POV, casting…
Fascinating review. I am on the fence about seeing this, mainly because there are other shows I really want to see this season, like Outsiders and Hell's Kitchen. Hope you're having a great time! Seeing Cabaret on Saturday! Can't wait to see it again and compare it to London.
When I saw this a couple weeks ago, I loved it but I did remember feeling like there were things missing that I couldn’t really articulate, but I think you did. I also really wanted more from the letter reveal, like a song of her reading snippets of all the letters cause the scene in the movie is her in her car in the rain crying as she reads through them. I have seen the movie and read the book, but it has been like over a decade so it was fun to revisit in a new format, and I love the songs but I agree that it is missing some cohesive story moments.
I saw clips of the show and the set design looks quite simple. I expected something bigger.
Another great review! There were many gaps and missed opportunities that the directors should have caught. Loved your suggestion of a reprise duet of If This Is Love in particular. Also while the melodies are often great, some of the lyrics are embarrassingly weak.
This was also my introduction to the story. My quibble is that these two don't have much going on outside their love for each other. The show has no interest in their kids, their friends or career ambitions. Just their endless pining. At times it reminded me of "The Fantasticks," another archetypal boy meets girl musical.
Never read the book or saw the movie. Went last night. I loved the show. Funny and had me crying.
I listened to the album and got so emotional! 😭😭😭
Spotted you outside Illinoise today!
Totally agree with many points! I definitely enjoyed many songs but kept sitting there thinking is it going to “change” at any point? Like when are we getting an upbeat number or two tapping one? It all seemed to be at the same pace. Not sure if that is the right word for it. I wouldn’t say the show was bad. Not at all. I know someone who is going to see it soon but I haven’t talked to him yet. And I don’t want to say my favorite part is the Physical Therapist 😅 The fact that he had caught my attention and I wanted more of him sort of said something. But yeah something was lacking with the book & score in my opinion. Not my favorite. Not the worst show I’ve ever seen. Wouldn’t recommend it but I wouldn’t advise against it either if you are a lover of the movie or the book. While leaving the theater everyone else seemed to love it. But I’m a huge Broadway person and try to see everything so I usually have a different opinion 😐
I'm obsessed with all things Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding. I blame Mickey Joe.
I had some yesterday, just as good as I remember!!
@@MickeyJoTheatre ❤
This is like so late but I just saw the show today and I have thoughts and don’t know where to put them lol. I really enjoyed the show. My biggest problems were with the score. There were some excellent songs (If This is Love, My Days, What Happens, some of my favorites) elevated by even more excellent performances. However I thought there were some songs that were just too short? Like “I Paint” was a bit of a nothing song, especially because it is almost immediately followed by “Sadness and Joy.” There are also some moments, particularly towards the end that I wanted to feel the emotion, and I probably would have if the moment was elevated by a better written song. The biggest offender of this was “Iron in the Fridge.” That moment should be heart wrenching, and Dorian Harewood is really selling it, but that song just did not do it for me. “Kiss Me” is another example, and while that moment has some adorable awkwardness and chemistry between the actors, those lyrics man. Very cringy, and I guess that’s kinda the point? But idk it was just too much.i agree that If This Is Love should’ve had a reprise, I think the moment Middle Noah is trying to convince Middle Allie to stay would’ve been a good time. Anyways, thank you for this space 4 months later lol.
as someone who's seen the movie, i don't think any of your notes would've changed if you had! I was so confused by the middle allie/noah final reunion... i was like 'is this the big moment that this whole younger storyline as been building up to? nah it'd be bigger than that'
I’m going to NYC in august. I hope to see ten broadway shows …. BUT WHAT? Suggestions are welcome.
I went in this show with very high expectations, and I was disappointed. People seem to like this show for two reasons: the performers and their nostalgia of the movie.
Plot felt thinly written compared to the movie, the songs weren’t that memorable , and it even felt dragged a lot in second act as if it didn’t have enough plot to fill the time (for example, that fiance guy literally had like one song I felt bad for the guy that got cast cause I actually wondered what he was doing for the rest of the show backstage) I was in shock thinking I was cold hearted when people started sobbing by the end. I feel like it was trying to hard to tell the audiences how they were supposed to feel rather than genuinely move them. But I guess all great chic flicks resort to the same tactics. Glad you liked it though, I guess to each his own.
I loved this musical. I saw it in Chicago (twice) and I was destroyed both times. I am very surprised it got mid reviews.
You dont need that scene. Because you already know that they end up together...
I enjoy your reviews, always concise and to the point. However, as someone pointed out, the way you dissect and analyze a show, you should be a director.
I really want to see the show. However, I am kind pissed that critics gave mixed reviews to this show despite how audience are positively receptive and moved on with this show.
Oh don't worry. It'll made a ton of money and then tour and make even more money. Regional theaters will do it and then high schools. They will have their last laugh.
PREACH MICKEY! as a young man of color myself I would love to be able to be a soft romantic lead too. please
Be sure you see true Americana in the Outsiders. Classic book.
Saw it this week!
I really did NOT like the movie and only went on the basis of a friend posting one of the songs but I must say I loved this show especially the performances of older Noah and esp Ali. Maryann Plunkett gives a transcendent performance that will remain with me for a long time
YESS MORE MEN OF COLOR PLAYING LEAD ROLES 😊
And with perfect timing I just got to see Hell's Kitchen!
@@emhu2594 YOU SEE IT
I saw STEROPHONIC last Saturday night. That was quite a play! Have a safe journey home.
Hell of a play! Few days of shows yet.
I wanna see that show
@@MarcusMartn Get your tickets ..NOW! It's just terrific. The music is so spot on.
kinda wanted to see this last week but went with Kimberly Akimbo instead
Can you point me in the directions of the cast recording?
Has anyone else gone recently and thought Ryan Vasquez was awful?
When I went he was very pitchy, very flat, to the point the audience didn't know whether to clap or not at the end of "leave the light on".
Also what the heck is the acting for his middle Noah. I'm not sure if it's the director or the actor, but he's just so goofy, which completely takes you out of the story. He thought the love of his life ghosted him, he saw her happy with someone else, his best friend was killed in war, his dad died, he had nothing left. But he's silly and corky? He should be a sullen man, a shell of his former self.
I love the album so I give the show a 7.1/10. Had the potential to be an 8+ with a different casting for middle noah and different directing take.
You aren't wrong...
@MickeyJoTheatre love your reviews! Moved maybe happy ending to up next on my list after your review. Hoping to catch it after work this week.
Illinoise review please!!!!
I did not love the three sets of Noah's and Allie's. I would have preferred keeping it to two (young/middle and then older). I think it makes it hard to emotionally connect to three separate couples as "leads". I did not love the colorblind casting. Even though the cast itself (the 6 actors playing the 3 different aged couples) are OUTSTANDING in their talent and depictions... I felt it was a little awkward for lack of a better word. perfectly fine with the difference in races between Allie and Noah.. but I would have preferred seeing Allie stay african american and same for Noah - would have preferred him to stay causcasion. I feel like that can be confusing to the audience. I understood and followed right away, however I had seen the movie. I do not care what race they are, just keep them the same as they age basically.
Positives - The music has some lovely highlights (Leave the Light On, Sadness and Joy). The cast is stellar. Absolutely knock it out of the park.
I bawled my eyes out and did enjoy it , I just had a couple of small issues with it.
Your stance on refusing to review THE UNFRIEND compels me to mention that The Notebook is based on a novel by Nicholas Sparks, a conservative Christian writer. Sparks has donated $20 million to date to build and fund Epiphany School, a conservative Christian academy which he oversees personally. In a heated argument with the school's headmaster and made public, Sparks announced that he would never allow any form of "GLBT" [sic] student organization or any open support or normalization of homosexuality.
Thank you for bringing this to my attention, I didn't know about it. How incredibly disappointing.
This is a concern only in you feel Nicholas Sparks and even the book he created is at the heart of this new musical work. “The Notebook” transcends the Nicholas Sparks novel and the popular movie spawned from it in every way.
It no longer is simply a Nicholas Sparks “weepie,” even though it’s been regarded as just that by unfair NY critics; the musical is a mediation on the passage of time, grief, aging and memory. It is a tone poem, a memory musical in ways that Sparks’ pulpy story never approached.
The considerable achievement of this musical is that it successfully walks a fine line: It doesn’t abandon sentimentality or even over-the-top romance that made the movie so popular, but it is able to use those unsubtle elements to deepen its resonance and significance to levels Sparks could not even imagine.
This is all to say that I most decidedly am not a fan of Nicholas Sparks, his works or his ugly “politics,” but I am a big fan of “The Notebook” on Broadway where Sparks is only a launching pad to stage a much richer, deeper and more compassionate vision.
Curious…does it remain clear who everyone is with the various interations of the characters looking so different?
Yes! I forgot to mention the costume design that cleverly signifies each character throughout, brilliant use of colour. And context makes everything obvious in any case.
Casting actors of different skin colors as the sams charather at different ages is too confusing !
A LOT of general audince are not going to fellow this i think.
Ok...hear me out...colour blind cssting... good however if old noah is black the other two noahs need to be black and if old ali is white.. the two other Ali's need to be white... purely because skin colour doesn't change as you get older. Similar to frozen where a young Elsa i believe was black yet Samantha barks...is white... completely ruins the disbelief right away
Except the old versions aren't literally them- they're retroactive visualization of how the dementia-struck Allie is picturing the story she is being read while not realizing that the story is about her and old Noah
@@StandardGaming still imo if Ur doing a young muddle and old version of a character make them the same colour to make it believable
The point of color blind casting is to not see color. Look at brandy’s Cinderella 1997; the queen was black, the king was white, and Prince Charming was Filipino. Nobody cared because it didn’t affect the story
ooof the uninformed Seaworld comment really?!? no just no EDIT: appreciate this being addressed in a calm manner. It's a touchy subject not meant to be argued here. As someone who has seen their rescue efforts first hand please don't let one film fabricated with lies dwindle all the hard work they do 💙 Anyway back to listening to the beautiful OCR of this show 🤧
Am I out of the loop here?
Appreciate you not just deleting or trying to ignore. xx I don't want to try to educate in the comments cause I don't want too much distraction from the review itself. Happy to find some sources that tell you want a certain film fabricated & also would love to see you visit when you do make it down to Orlando or one of their other locations. The rescue work they do is truly inspiring. 💙
The race should match for a character for the entire of the characters existence in a given show. It is wild that you think that it's ok to force the audience to play pretend in their mind. There is no excuse for this bizarre wokism, meanwhile they cast celebrities all the time as if that is not contrary to the idea of "casting the "best" person"
🥹🥹🥹 after aeron posted the video of Joy I’m desperate to see! Also the sweatshirt ✨✨✨