The romantic tearjerker “The Notebook” lands on Broadway in awkward musical theater form this spring having previously conquered books and movies. Associated Press critic Mark Kennedy says it is intent now on making a live audience openly weep by employing massive doses of schlocky sentimentality without the aid of Ryan Gosling.
This image released by Boneau/Bryan-Brown shows Joy Woods, left, and Ryan Vasquez during a performance of “The Notebook” in New York, the new musical based on the bestselling novel by Nicholas Sparks that inspired the iconic film. This image released by Boneau/Bryan-Brown shows Maryann Plunkett, left, and Dorian Harewood during a performance of “The Notebook” in New York, the new musical based on the bestselling novel by Nicholas Sparks that inspired the iconic film.
The older couple rarely leave the stage, weirdly hanging around to watch their younger selves, with elderly Noah supposedly reading from his notebook to trigger his wife’s memory. This effect is also usedThe film’s chronological timeline has been shattered, which is a welcome idea, allowing time to be manipulated and scenes to dissolve and overlap, perfect for a musical about Alzheimer’s.
You better believe the movie’s lusty rain scene has made the leap to the stage — the couple even do that now-famous clinch several times. Unfortunately, there’s plenty more musical to go after that — including some death, leaving many audience members sobbing at a recent preview. Maybe they were just upset at how hammy it all was.“If This Is Love” and the wonderfully comedic “Forever” — but there are some 20 pieces of music and most dissolve in your mind mid-song.
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