ICYMI: 'The Notebook' Musical Set To Make Broadway Swoon!

I used to make everyone I was dating watch the movie with me. I would reenact the scenes and scream “I’m a bird!” at the top of my lungs, and all I have ever wanted more than anything was for someone to say they love me and kiss me in the pouring rain. Now I can’t wait to drag future lovers with me to see it on stage.

The music and lyrics are being written by one of my heartbreak queens, Ingrid Michaelson. Michaelson is known for her songs “You and I”, “The Way I Am”, and a breathtaking cover of “Can’t Help Falling in Love”. Michaelson was quoted saying, “When I was approached about working on The Notebook, I had to excuse myself and go to the bathroom and cry and come back into the meeting. I have loved the movie and the story for so many years now that the idea of turning it into a musical overwhelmed me.” 

With the success of pop singer Sara Bareilles and her musical Waitress, I am excited to see how Michaelson tackles a similar feat, having come from the same pop background. 

The musical will be produced by Kevin McCollum, Kurt Deutsch, and the author of The Notebook novel himself, Nicholas Sparks. Along with Michaelson doing the lyrics and music, Bekah Brunstetter, the producer of "This is Us", is writing the book. Talk about dream team!

Vanessa Hudgens is leading the first reading of the show at Vassar and New York Stage & Film’s annual summer play development known as the Powerhouse season. Michael Greif (Rent, If/Then) will direct. Jelani Alladin (Frozen), Nicholas Belton (Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812), Candy Buckley (Cabaret), Antonio Cipriano (Jagged Little Pill), Tony & Grammy Award nominee Hailey Kilgore (Once On This Island), and two-time Tony Award winner James Naughton (Chicago) are among the rest of the cast. This is a great lineup, and although not necessarily the ones who will do the show on Broadway, I am sure they are more than up for the task of bringing this love story to life. 

The reading will take place tomorrow, June 23, and although the show isn’t on Broadway yet, I already can’t wait to see it.