The Notebook is getting a Broadway musical

The Notebook

Cult 2004 film The Notebook is being made into a Broadway play.

The Notebook, based on Nicholas Sparks’ novel of the same name, will be adapted into a musical in New York City.

Playwright Bekah Brunstetter is set to write the script for the play, while singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson will pen the music and lyrics.

The Notebook is heading to Broadway

Brunstetter and Michaelson will collaborate with Sparks to create the musical based on the movie, which stars Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams in the lead roles.

“When I first heard about The Notebook potentially being turned into a musical, I was instantly drawn to the idea.”

—Playwright Bekah Brunstetter

“I am thrilled to work with Bekah and Ingrid in order to make The Notebook a reality on Broadway,” Sparks said in a statement.

A scene from The Notebook

The Notebook will be adapted into a Broadway musical. (New Line Cinema/Gran Via)

“They are amazingly talented, and obviously, the story is near and dear to my heart.”

Brunstetter, meanwhile, said: “When I first heard about The Notebook potentially being turned into a musical, I was instantly drawn to the idea,” said Brunstetter, who’s play The Cake opens at the Manhattan Theatre Club this spring.

“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.

Musical will be created in collaboration with The Notebook author Nicholas Sparks

“I was sent a few songs Ingrid had already written for it, and that week, I spent my drives to and from work car-listening, memorizing, imagining the story unfold with music, imagining how I might layer worlds, dramatize memory, and before I even knew that I had to write the book for this, it was already starting to happen in my head.”


The Notebook tells the story of young couple Noah (Gosling) and Allison (McAdams), who fall in love after meeting on Seabrook Island, South Carolina, in the 1940s.

Brunstetter added: “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.”