I had the chance to attend the National Tour Opening Night of The Notebook Musical at Playhouse Square’s Connor Palace on Friday night.
Let me start by saying, I’ve never read The Notebook or seen the movie. My only knowledge of the story came from the little bit of research I did to prepare for my interview with cast member Aaron Ramey. And yet, I was completely blown away.
The musical tells the life and love story of Allie and Noah in a way that reminded me of the layered storytelling in the Neil Diamond Musical. We see Older Noah recounting their journey, reading from words written by Older Allie as she struggles with memory loss from Alzheimer’s. Around them, different versions of Allie and Noah, Younger, Middle, and Older, bring their story to life on stage, sometimes alongside and sometimes in the background. It’s a beautiful and heartbreaking structure that pulls you right in.
The music and lyrics were the heartbeat of the story, seamlessly guiding the emotions and transitions. The score elevated every moment, and the storytelling was nothing short of masterful.
The cast was exceptional. Chloe Cheers, as Younger Allie, absolutely stole the show with her powerful vocals, while Kyle Mangold, as Younger Noah, matched her energy and brought an infectious charm. Sharon Catherine Brown, as Older Allie, delivered an incredible performance—capturing the raw emotion and painful struggles of living with memory loss. Portraying the battles of Alzheimer’s on stage each night is no small feat, and the depth, honesty, and vulnerability she brought to the role were both heartbreaking and inspiring.
One of the standout musical moments was “I Wanna Go Back,” performed by Alysha Deslorieux (Middle Allie) and Chloe Cheers(Younger Allie). Their voices blended together so beautifully, creating one of the most memorable and moving pieces of the entire show.
Beau Gravitte, playing Older Noah, delivered a moving performance filled with warmth, tenderness, and quiet strength as he carried the weight of retelling their love story.
Overall, this musical is a must-see. If you love stories about love and life’s lessons, you’ll be swept away by this production. The creative team has done a phenomenal job bringing this timeless story to the stage.
The Notebook Musical runs at Playhouse Square through September 27, 2025.
