The musical version of the 2004 novel will be written by 'This Is Us' supervising producer Bekah Brunstetter and has Ingrid Michaelson behind its music and lyrics.
- Jan 4, 2019
AceShowbiz - A Broadway adaptation of Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams' hit film "The Notebook" is in development.
The musical, which will be based on Nicholas Sparks' 2004 book, will be written by "This Is Us" supervising producer Bekah Brunstetter, while "Girls Chase Boys" hitmaker Ingrid Michaelson is working on the music and lyrics.
"I am thrilled to work with Bekah and Ingrid in order to make "The Notebook" a reality on Broadway," Sparks says. "They are amazingly talented, and obviously, the story is near and dear to my heart."
Brunstetter and Michaelson jumped at the chance to be a part of the production and are thrilled it is coming together.
"When I first heard about "The Notebook" potentially being turned into a musical, I was instantly drawn to the idea," Brunstetter adds. "The story hits home for me in two big ways: it takes place in my home state of North Carolina, and Alzheimer's runs deep in my family... The older you get, it seems, the more invisible you become, and yet, you have so much to say - so putting an older couple at the forefront of a musical is thrilling to me.
"I am so excited to continue collaborating with Ingrid on bringing this beautiful story to life in a new way."
"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," Michaelson says. "I have loved the movie and the story for so many years now that the idea of turning it into a musical overwhelmed me. The concept of unending devotion and love wrapped up in memory and family is something very close to my own personal life...".
Sparks will produce the stageshow alongside "Rent"'s Kevin McCollum and Kurt Deutsch. A premiere date for the production, which centres on a man and woman's lifelong romance and marriage - and her battle with memory-depriving Alzheimer's disease, will be announced at a later date.
