Theater Review: ‘The Notebook’

Playhouse Square’s Connor Palace has officially become the heart of Cleveland theater this season, serving as the launchpad for the highly anticipated national tour of The Notebook. Following a sold-out Broadway debut earlier this year, the production is now making its way across the country, beginning right here in Cleveland. Local audiences are the first to experience a reimagined version of Nicholas Sparks’ beloved 1996 novel, given new emotional depth through Ingrid Michaelson’s original score and a book by playwright Bekah Brunstetter (This Is Us).

Even before the curtain rises, theatergoers are reminded they’re in for an emotional ride. Branded $5 tissue boxes were made available at the premiere, a witty nod to the story’s reputation as a tearjerker. As one attendee commented, “It was amazing how they were able to make it rain on stage during the show. More impressive, though, was how they made tears fall from my own eyes.”

While many audience members may enter The Notebook with deep affection for the original book or film, this production stands firmly on its own merits. Each pair of Noahs and Allies carries the story with conviction, creating a unified portrayal of love’s endurance across a lifetime. The performances, bolstered by Michaelson’s heartfelt songs, elevate this story into something both familiar and entirely new.

Like both the bestselling novel and the 2004 film adaptation starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, the musical follows the sweeping love story of Noah and Allie, told across decades. But this stage production introduces a unique framework: the narrative is shared among three sets of actors, portraying Noah and Allie at different points in their lives. By weaving these timelines together, the show highlights memory not simply as a theme but as a character in its own right.

Under the co-direction of Broadway veterans Michael Greif (Dear Evan Hansen, Rent) and Ohio native Schele Williams (The Wiz revival), The Notebook achieves a balance of intimacy and spectacle. The seamless interplay between past and present creates a fluid rhythm, keeping the emotional threads intact.

Special attention is given to design elements: Paloma Young’s costumes trace the passage of time through subtle visual cues, such as Allie’s evolving shades of blue and Noah’s warm earth tones. Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew’s lighting design shifts eras gracefully, underscoring the fragility of memory. One of the most talked-about moments remains the famed rain sequence—an unforgettable theatrical achievement that earned audible gasps from the audience.

Michaelson’s score spans an impressive range of styles, mirroring the emotional and temporal journey of the characters. From the reflective opener “Time” to the soaring Act II ballad “Forever,” the music guides the audience through the story’s highs and lows. Alysha Deslorieux’s solo “My Days” is a standout piece, exquisitely marrying performance and composition in one of the show’s most moving moments.

Other highlights include “Blue Shutters” and “I Wanna Go Back,” which offer lyrical meditations on nostalgia and youthful passion. In one particularly inspired sequence, Younger and Middle Allie share a duet across time, underscoring the production’s inventive narrative structure. Michaelson herself was present on opening night in Cleveland, a fitting tribute to the city chosen to launch this major tour.

For Cleveland, the honor of hosting the touring premiere adds to the city’s reputation as a hub for world-class theater. With both technical rehearsals and the first leg of the tour unfolding at Connor Palace, local audiences are at the epicenter of a moment where Broadway meets national stage.

In short: The Notebook is a profoundly moving new work that transforms an iconic love story into an unforgettable theatrical experience. Cleveland theatergoers should not miss the opportunity to see it before the production continues its journey across the country.