Review: The Bushnell, "The Notebook The Musical"

The Bushnell

www.bushnell.org

through October 5, 2025

by Suzanne Wells

The Bushnell presents “The Notebook The Musical” by Bekah Brunstetter, music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson, based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks.

A trio of heartfelt and poignant tales—of young love, mature love, and enduring love—are beautifully woven together and brought to life in this musical production. 

Three pairs of actors portray the leads; Noah and Allie, each capturing a distinct chapter in their love story. As the young lovers, Kyle Mangold and Chloë Cheers infuse the stage with vibrant energy and heartfelt enthusiasm, embodying the innocence, nervous anticipation, and earnest devotion of first love. Mangold brings an undeniable charm reminiscent of a young Luke Perry, blending swagger and humor with a warm vocal presence—even when reaching for the highest notes, which unwittingly reflect his character’s journey from boyhood to manhood. Cheers delivers a stunning vocal performance that grows in brilliance throughout the show; her voice shines in numbers such as “I Paint” and “If This Is Love,” each song revealing greater confidence and depth as her character matures.

The older lovers, played by Alysha Deslorieux and Ken Wulf Clark, display exceptional vocal talents and impressive acting skills. Their love story centers on the intense emotions that swiftly spark both conflict and passion between them. While the narrative tends to gloss over the difficulties of healing past hurts and misunderstandings, highlighting their surrender to desire, Deslorieux and Clark's performances are so compelling that the audience is left longing for more.

The true stars of the show are Sharon Catherine Brown and Beau Gravitte. Brown's performance as a woman grappling with severe dementia is fearless, deeply moving, and utterly convincing. She masterfully conveys disassociation, fear, and fleeting moments of recognition, each emotion pulling at the audience’s heartstrings. Paired with Gravitte’s blend of grumpy old man humor and unwavering hope for one more moment with his beloved, their scenes elicit both tears of joy and sadness.

Although the musical may not feature a tune that lingers in the minds of audience members, the crowd of appreciative theater goers are undeniably inspired for a longing of love as enduring as the one portrayed in “The Notebook.”

While several characters offer moments of comic relief, Connor Richardson stands out with his perfectly timed humor, providing a delightful counterpoint to the emotional intensity of the love story.