PicksInSix Review: The Notebook - Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Love Beats Beyond Waves of Time.
PicksInSix® Gold Review | Guest Contributor | Scott Gryder
It was an unexpectedly quiet beginning for the world premiere performance of “The Notebook” at Chicago Shakespeare’s The Yard last night. With an unannounced, subtle start of general actor activity onstage, versus the typical darkened house and scolding pre-show curtain speech, the audience gently honed in on the stage. There had also been no pre-show music or ambient sound filling the house, preparing the audience for the energy and theme of the show. It felt as if CST wasn’t going to give anything away for this new work. Thus, we were in no way prepared for the 2 hour and 15 minute epically emotional voyage ahead of us.
That made the ride all the better.
Based on the bestselling 1996 novel by Nicholas Sparks, which also inspired the beloved 2004 film, “The Notebook“ tells the story of love across multiple waves of time. Not only do we thrill at the blossoming of a new, forbidden love, but we witness how love can lead us to overcome the many unexpected, inopportune challenges of life. Adding the heightened musical element to the already volatile romance within “The Notebook“ creates the perfect storm for any audience to get swept away. As a musical, “The Notebook“ further solidifies the truth that not even time, place nor sickness can ever carry away our true love.
“The Notebook“ may be focused on the love of one central couple, but the staging succeeds thanks to an ensemble of over a dozen actors building a multi-dimensional theatrical experience. With six main actors portraying various versions of the main lovers, the extended ensemble highlights each scene with the roles of friends, family, and medical professionals across each time line, masterfully slipping in and out of various characters, never overplaying into the stereotypes. Standout Liam Oh boldly suggests that ignorance is bliss, and it is a gift to be cherished. Most moving was Maryann Plunkett’s Older Allie, gracefully searching and tormented in the role of a person with dementia. Bonus applause for Jerome Harmann Hardeman, who appeared in the role of Older Noah for this performance, with such solid faith in his commitment to his life partner that he nearly pushes himself too far in order to reach her again. As for the young and middle lovers, John Cardoza’s Younger Noah and Jordan Tyson’s Younger Allie share shimmering moments of zingy vocals literally vibrating one’s heartstrings. Additionally, the warmth and golden vocals produced by Ryan Vasquez and Joy Woods’s Middle Noah and Middle Allie reveal that their love has only grown warmer and more intensified with age.
Each creative element gently holds the hand of the other, creating a balanced bond throughout. To start, Ingrid Michaelson’s music is both darling and passionate. Utilizing mostly clichés, the song forms are less traditional musical theater, with a more folksy, organic feel; repeating lyrics over and over as if to reflect the pattern of waves lapping at the shore, slowly wearing away at the sand with the passage of time.
Choreographically, Katie Spelman follows suit, creating mirrored movements across multiple levels of the stage, as if catching a rippling reflection upon a pool. Co-scenic designers David Zinn and Brett Banakis have created a set almost like a diorama. With the bare bones structure of a house as its foundation, the set effortlessly flows between locations and places in time. And Ben Stanton’s lighting design echoes the reflective spirit by brightening and dimming depending on the emotional and physical intensity of each scene.
Literally splashing onto the stage, Broadway directing duo Michael Greif and Schele Williams then layer Bekah Brunstetter’s witty and cutting book into picturesque moments of storytelling as if each scene is a bubble in time, appearing before us and then popping as we drop into each timeline. Taking the emotional experience almost too far, but in a most profound way, Music Director Geoffrey Ko shapes and builds the voices to palpably invoke harmonious heartache and joy.
At first, I was disheartened by the almost elementary lyrics of Ingrid Michaelson’s music, but it didn’t take long to realize that it wasn’t simplicity, but Michaelson was setting simple universal truths to her signature folk-pop style. These songs sounded too familiar because they are comprised of nuggets of wisdom passed down through generations, appropriately set for a show about time.
Thanks to a well-aligned creative team and stunning acting, “The Notebook“ hopscotches through time so clearly that, for a show about time travel, no one gets left behind. It’s no wonder that when the sourcebook was published in 1996, it sold more than 105 million copies worldwide. As overly allegorical as it may seem, “The Notebook’s“ characters and their story are a retelling of famed and personal loves that any human can relate to.
For those fans of the best-selling novel and the cherished film, “The Notebook“ enhances this timeless tale of romance in a way only musical theater storytelling can. This powerful performance reminds us of how life’s hardships may make us feel adrift, but it also shows us that we are never beyond righting our ship if we only listen to our hearts and look to those who love us most.
GUEST CONTRIBUTOR | SCOTT GRYDER received a Non-Equity Jeff Award for his performance in the one-man show BUYER & CELLAR. www.thescottgryder.com
PHOTO|Liz Lauren
CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER
presents
World Premiere
THE NOTEBOOK
through October 30, 2022
The Yard
Navy Pier
(312) 595-5600
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