BROADWAY AT THE PARAMOUNT "The Notebook - The Musical" March 3 through March 8, 2026 Opening Night Review!
The Notebook - The Musical
Music and Lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson
I’d like to start by saying the Paramount Theatre needs to do something about their HVAC system. I found myself getting teary eyed during the performance due to the pollen or dust or something in the air. I’ve never experienced this at any of the musicals I’ve reviewed (and I’ve been reviewing them since 2018). So, please Seattle Theatre Group, take a look at the HVAC as soon as possible. It was embarrassing to wipe the occasional tear from my face. And I looked around - I wasn’t the only patron suffering from this situation this evening. Thank you in advance.
In all seriousness, The Notebook - The Musical was something new to me. Yes, I was familiar with the basic information about The Notebook such as it was a best selling novel from Nicholas Sparks which was then turned into a popular film of the same name. That’s all I knew, though. I hadn’t read the book nor had I seen the movie before entering the Paramount Theatre on opening night.
I had read that many patrons in North America said that this tour was well done and worth the money. This was coming from patrons that had seen the show in other cities, those that saw it on Broadway, and those that saw it both on Broadway and on tour. So, I had solid expectations of what was about to unfold on the Paramount Theatre stage.
My hopes were nearly dashed for the first twenty minutes or so as I just couldn’t get into the story. It seemed too unbelievable to me. I thought it was just me since I hadn’t seen the film but my plus one said the same thing and she loves the movie (and cries every time she watches it).
But, then around a certain scene which I won’t spoil here, things started to click. A big part of that was due to the music. I forgot that Ingrid Michaelson wrote the music and lyrics for the show. While I’m not well versed in all of her work, I do know of it and what she brings to the table. The songs really told the story well and helped draw me into the world of Allie and Noah. Both characters were portrayed on stage in three different stages of life at any given time on stage.
I can also say that the story affected me more than it should have because it reminded me of my own personal situation and that I didn’t expect (since I wasn’t familiar with the story going in). So, yes the performances of the entire cast were great and that, along with the story and the music, really stirred up some emotions that I quite frankly didn’t want to deal with.
But, having said that, the show was so good that it brought me to that emotional level. It may not be for you if you can’t relate to the story personally or you’re not a fan of the film or book. But, the show was well done once it found its footing.
I particularly enjoyed the “middle” Allie and Noah - played by Alysha Deslorieux and Ken Wulf Clark respectively. Their vocal performances along with their character acting really worked well, both together, and when they had solo pieces.
“Younger” Allie was great as well - played by Chloe Cheers. “Younger” Noah did great with the acting part but his singing was off here and there. Nothing major (maybe he was fighting a cold or allergies) but it was noticeable in certain songs.
The Notebook - The Musical will delight most patrons of musical theatre. It certainly surprised me and I thank the entire team from the show for that.
And, again, Seattle Theatre Group at the Paramount - please fix the HVAC in there otherwise there will be patrons in tears at every remaining performance. And, of course, we wouldn’t want that to happen.
Recommended!
“The Notebook - The Musical” plays through March 8, 2026. Purchase tickets: HERE!
Best,
Mark D. Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect With Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media and Email Links
Music and Lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson
Book by Bekah Brunstetter
Broadway At The Paramount
Paramount Theatre
Seattle, WA
March 3, 2026 - Opening/Media Night
Broadway At The Paramount
Paramount Theatre
Seattle, WA
March 3, 2026 - Opening/Media Night
(Alysha Deslorieux (Middle Allie) and Ken Wulf Clark (Middle Noah)Photo by Roger Mastroianni)
I’d like to start by saying the Paramount Theatre needs to do something about their HVAC system. I found myself getting teary eyed during the performance due to the pollen or dust or something in the air. I’ve never experienced this at any of the musicals I’ve reviewed (and I’ve been reviewing them since 2018). So, please Seattle Theatre Group, take a look at the HVAC as soon as possible. It was embarrassing to wipe the occasional tear from my face. And I looked around - I wasn’t the only patron suffering from this situation this evening. Thank you in advance.
(The Notebook North American Tour Company. Photo by Roger Mastroianni.)
In all seriousness, The Notebook - The Musical was something new to me. Yes, I was familiar with the basic information about The Notebook such as it was a best selling novel from Nicholas Sparks which was then turned into a popular film of the same name. That’s all I knew, though. I hadn’t read the book nor had I seen the movie before entering the Paramount Theatre on opening night.
I had read that many patrons in North America said that this tour was well done and worth the money. This was coming from patrons that had seen the show in other cities, those that saw it on Broadway, and those that saw it both on Broadway and on tour. So, I had solid expectations of what was about to unfold on the Paramount Theatre stage.
My hopes were nearly dashed for the first twenty minutes or so as I just couldn’t get into the story. It seemed too unbelievable to me. I thought it was just me since I hadn’t seen the film but my plus one said the same thing and she loves the movie (and cries every time she watches it).
But, then around a certain scene which I won’t spoil here, things started to click. A big part of that was due to the music. I forgot that Ingrid Michaelson wrote the music and lyrics for the show. While I’m not well versed in all of her work, I do know of it and what she brings to the table. The songs really told the story well and helped draw me into the world of Allie and Noah. Both characters were portrayed on stage in three different stages of life at any given time on stage.
I can also say that the story affected me more than it should have because it reminded me of my own personal situation and that I didn’t expect (since I wasn’t familiar with the story going in). So, yes the performances of the entire cast were great and that, along with the story and the music, really stirred up some emotions that I quite frankly didn’t want to deal with.
But, having said that, the show was so good that it brought me to that emotional level. It may not be for you if you can’t relate to the story personally or you’re not a fan of the film or book. But, the show was well done once it found its footing.
(The Notebook North American Tour Company. Photo by Roger Mastroianni.)
I particularly enjoyed the “middle” Allie and Noah - played by Alysha Deslorieux and Ken Wulf Clark respectively. Their vocal performances along with their character acting really worked well, both together, and when they had solo pieces.
“Younger” Allie was great as well - played by Chloe Cheers. “Younger” Noah did great with the acting part but his singing was off here and there. Nothing major (maybe he was fighting a cold or allergies) but it was noticeable in certain songs.
The Notebook - The Musical will delight most patrons of musical theatre. It certainly surprised me and I thank the entire team from the show for that.
And, again, Seattle Theatre Group at the Paramount - please fix the HVAC in there otherwise there will be patrons in tears at every remaining performance. And, of course, we wouldn’t want that to happen.
Recommended!
“The Notebook - The Musical” plays through March 8, 2026. Purchase tickets: HERE!
Best,
Mark D. Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect With Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media and Email Links
(Sharon Catherine Brown (Older Allie) and Beau Gravitte (Older Noah)Photo by Roger Mastroianni.)
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