Superb score, writing, cast transform ‘The Notebook’ into a stage musical for the ages

Younger Noah (John Cardoza, from left) and Younger Allie (Jordan Tyson), Older Noah (John Beasley) and Older Allie (Maryann Plunkett), and Middle Noah (Ryan Vasquez) and Middle Allie (Joy Woods) in Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s world premiere stage production of “The Notebook.”

First, I must express a bit of shock. I simply was not expecting to fall in love with “The Notebook,” the new musical version of Nicholas Sparks’ 1996 over-the-top romantic novel, turned into a solid film of romantically saturated colors by director Nick Cassavetes, starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams.  

But I have.