‘The Notebook’ @ Bass Performance Hall (Performing Arts Fort Worth)
Photo by Roger Mastroianni
—Carol M. Rice
Alzheimer’s is a terrible disease. I don’t know many people who haven’t had at least some experience with a loved one who’s been afflicted. Perhaps that’s why Nicholas Sparks’ 1996 novel The Notebook was so successful and why it’s been turned into both a popular film starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams and a Broadway musical (music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson, book by Bekah Brunstetter).
What makes The Notebook the Musical unique is that both of the main characters, Allie and Noah, are played by three different actors at various stages of their lives. While the film shows us younger and older versions of the characters, they appear only in the present and flashback, never overlapping. Some of the most memorable moments of the musical involve all the characters onstage at the same time. The beautiful opening number, “Time,” starts us off with this configuration, and it continues in such songs as “Kiss Me,” “Home,” and “I Love You More.”
Another aspect of the musical I found interesting is that Older Allie doesn’t sing until she remembers that Noah is her husband. This isn’t to say that she plays a minor role (she’s almost always onstage reacting to what’s happening), and her scenes with Older Noah are funny and sweet. Sharon Catherine Brown is completely believable as Older Allie. She’s mastered a blank stare when Allie is befuddled, yet her facial expressions and physicality when she becomes combative are mesmerizing. Brown gives Older Allie many layers as she maneuvers her Alzheimer’s, and she’s not afraid to embrace the comedy alongside the drama.
As Older Noah, understudy Aaron Ramey gives a heartbreaking performance, as his love for his wife is apparent from the very beginning. He wants to spend every possible moment with her and does his best to help her remember who he is and, more importantly, who they are together. He is so gentle with Older Allie, yet brings a gruff intensity to the role when dealing with anyone trying to keep them apart even for a moment. His song with the other Noahs, “Iron in the Fridge,” brought tears to my eyes.
Ken Wulf Clark is Middle Noah and Kyle Mangold is Younger Noah, and these two bring the characters together in such a way that it’s hard to tell where one begins and the other ends—yet they’re also completely different. Their soaring tenor voices complement each other’s perfectly and Clark’s world-weariness is a nice contrast to Mangold’s youthful exuberance. Each has excellent chemistry with their respective Allie, especially as shown in “Sadness and Joy” and “It’s Not Easy.”
Alysha Deslorieux is Middle Allie and Chloë Cheers is Younger Allie. While they aren’t as seamless vocally as Clark and Mangold in their portrayals, they each bring a unique perspective to the roles. Cheers comes across as wide-eyed and innocent, while Deslorieux starts off more grounded; we get to watch her becoming the woman she always wanted to be. Of course, Middle Allie’s character does require more range, since it’s here that we see her go back to loving Noah. Deslorieux and Cheers do a fabulous job with one of my favorite songs from the show, “I Wanna Go Back,” as the phrase “I didn’t know that the last time I’d leave the house was the last time I’d leave the house” is such a powerful line.
Connor Richardson brings some comic relief and pathos to the proceedings as Johnny, the young physical therapist who learns about Noah and Allie and does what he can to help when Older Noah ends up in the hospital, unable to read to Older Allie. Richardson brings a fun vibe to the role.
As both Nurse Lori and Allie’s mother, Anne Tolpegin also shows off her range, as the nurse is businesslike and abrupt and Mother is loving yet overly protective of her daughter. Jerome Harmann-Hardeman plays Allie’s father, and while he, too, is protective of his child, it’s obvious that Mother wears the pants in the family.
Younger Allie and Younger Noah might not have met if not for their friends Fin and Georgie, played by Jordi Bertrán Ramírez and Grace Ohwensadeyo Rundberg. These two make the most of their limited stage time. The rest of the cast fill in when necessary, including Jesse Corbin in the surprisingly small role of Lon, Allie’s fiancé. We don’t really see enough of him to care one way or another whether he ends up with Allie or not. Rayna Hickman and Makena Jackson round out the ensemble.
The Notebook is beautifully staged by directors Michael Greif and Schele Williams. They make the most of the stunning scenic design by David Zinn and Brett J. Banakis, complemented by Ben Stanton’s gorgeous lighting design. We even get the iconic “kissing in the rain” scene, complete with actual water falling from the sky in the magnificent number “Forever,” the song begun by Clark and Deslorieux, who then are joined by Mangold and Cheers and the ensemble.
As presented by Performing Arts Fort Worth as part of the “Broadway at the Bass” series at Bass Performance Hall, this national tour of The Notebook the Musical is an absolutely beautiful production. While I liked the movie (and haven’t read the novel), I have to say that the musical moved me so much more. The excellent performances and amazing voices— combined with the great staging—brought something special to the story of Allie and Noah that can’t be fully described. You need to see it for yourself.
WHEN: June 23-28, 2026
WHERE: Bass Perf. Hall, 525 Commerce St., Fort Worth
WEB: basshall.com
