Review: The Notebook

Review: The Notebook  | Buell Theatre, Denver Center for the Performing Arts | Denver, CO | Curtain Up! | Eric Fitzgerald

Few love stories have left such a deep mark on popular culture as The Notebook. Originally a bestselling 1996 novel by Nicholas Sparks, it later became a 2004 film that set the standard for cinematic romance. Now, The Notebook is alive on stage as a Broadway musical that debuted in 2024. Denver audiences at the Buell Theatre are watching the national tour of this production, a sweeping adaptation that brings Noah and Allie’s timeless love to life through music, movement, and memory.

The musical stays true to its roots while exploring new ways to tell the story. Nicholas Sparks’ novel offered a heartfelt look at enduring love, and the film added memorable images of rain-soaked romance and bittersweet reunions. Onstage, directed by Michael Greif and Schele Williams, the story comes alive again. Songs by Ingrid Michaelson and a script by Bekah Brunstetter blend music and dialogue to capture both the excitement of young love and the challenges of memory and time.

The ensemble cast adds depth and variety to the familiar love story, with three actors playing Noah (Beau Gravitte, Ken Wulf Clark, and Kyle Mangold) and three portraying Allie (Sharon Catherine Brown, Alysha Deslorieux, and Chloë Cheers). This setup lets the audience observe the couple’s journey through different life stages. Notably, Beau Gravitte and Sharon Catherine Brown, as the older Noah and Allie, give especially heartfelt performances—grounding the production with warmth, dignity, and emotional impact.

The Notebook benefits from the steady direction of Michael Greif and Schele Williams, who lead the cast with sensitivity and maintain smooth pacing. Their staging accentuates the emotional peaks and valleys of Noah and Allie’s journey, giving the actors space to shine. At the same time, the overall spirit of the story relies heavily on familiar romantic tropes, with moments that feel more polished for sentiment than for nuance. While this approach will satisfy audiences drawn to sweeping romance, it can also make the narrative seem predictable.

The physical production was impressive, with scenic design by David Zinn and Brett J. Banakis creating a flexible and visually engaging backdrop. One of the most memorable parts occurs in Act Two, when rain actually falls onstage, intensifying the drama of Noah and Allie’s reunion.

Strong performances anchor The Notebook, with the ensemble—especially Beau Gravitte and Sharon Catherine Brown as the older Noah and Allie—bringing genuine heart to the stage. The highly anticipated rain effect in Act Two adds a memorable theatrical touch. For audiences who cherish Nicholas Sparks’ novel or the beloved film, this musical version of The Notebook provides a satisfying new way to experience the story. While the sentiment sometimes leans toward excess, the mix of heartfelt acting, polished direction, and striking stagecraft makes it easy to overlook, leaving viewers with a production that delivers both romance and spectacle.

For information and tickets: https://www.denvercenter.org/tickets-events/the-notebook/