Podcast Summary: "Why THE NOTEBOOK is Closing on Broadway"

Podcast Details:

• Title: MickeyJoTheatre
• Host: MickeyJoTheatre (Mickey-Jo)
• Episode Title: Why THE NOTEBOOK is closing on Broadway | The reasons why the stage musical will end this year
• Release Date: August 30, 2024

Introduction

In this heartfelt episode, Mickey-Jo announces the closure of the highly anticipated Broadway musical adaptation of "The Notebook". With an empathetic tone, he delves into the reasons behind its premature shutdown, the implications for those involved, and the broader landscape of Broadway.

Mickey-Jo (00:00): "I will treasure you. Oh my God. Hey. Welcome back to my theatre themed YouTube channel."

Announcement of Closure

Mickey-Jo reveals that "The Notebook" will play its final performance on December 15, 2024, at the Schoenfeld Theatre. This decision came via a press release he received just 18 minutes prior to recording.

Mickey-Jo (00:00): "The musical adaptation of the Notebook, which opened earlier this year at the Schoenfeld Theatre on Broadway, will be closing."

He emphasizes the sadness of the news despite its lackluster performance metrics, highlighting that it was initially an open-ended run.

Mickey-Jo (00:48): "It is still saddening whenever a show closes prematurely."

Empathy for the Cast and Crew

Mickey-Jo extends his sympathies to everyone involved in the production, acknowledging the harsh realities of the theatrical ecosystem where closures can lead to job losses and emotional setbacks.

Mickey-Jo (02:15): "I want to offer all of my thoughts to the cast, to the company, to the crew, to everyone working in or around the Notebook."

Reasons Behind the Closure

Poor Financial Performance

Mickey-Jo points out that "The Notebook" struggled financially, as evidenced by the weekly Broadway grosses, which showed it wasn't generating sufficient revenue.

Mickey-Jo (02:50): "I spent most of that time adjusting this hat. [...] while this may not come as the biggest surprise to those who have been paying attention to the Broadway grosses [...] the Notebook was not doing the most splendid business in town."

Theater Ownership and Scheduling Conflicts

He discusses the possibility that the Schoenfeld Theatre owners might prefer a more profitable tenant, referencing past instances like "Beetlejuice" being replaced by "The Music Man".

Mickey-Jo (05:20): "The owners of the theater may want a tenant in that theater that can be making them more money."

The timing of the closure, mid-December, deviates from the usual early January shutdowns, suggesting unique strategic or scheduling reasons.

Mickey-Jo (04:30): "It is going to be closing Sunday, December 15th at the Schoenfeld Theatre, which is interesting already because normally [...] it happens in early January."

Impact of Reviews

Mickey-Jo highlights that critical reception, particularly from influential sources like the New York Times, played a significant role in the show's downfall.

Mickey-Jo (11:00): "Ultimately, the answer to this why is the Notebook closing on Broadway? It wasn't selling enough tickets."

Critical Reception and Its Impact

Mickey-Jo delves into Jesse Green's New York Times review, which was notably lukewarm. Green criticized the musical's inability to evoke genuine emotion and its lackluster lyrics.

Jesse Green’s Review (Referenced): "Romantic musicals are as personal as romance itself... At the Notebook, I was the person next to you."

He contrasts this with his own more favorable review on his channel, pointing out that despite acknowledging structural issues, he still appreciated certain aspects of the production.

Mickey-Jo (14:30): "I gave it a four star review and I do agree that there are structural issues... But I also believe there are really touching and powerful moments."

Marketing Challenges and Competition

Mickey-Jo examines the fierce competition "The Notebook" faced on Broadway, noting that simultaneous shows like "Water for Elephants", "Suffs", and "The Outsiders" diluted its market presence.

Mickey-Jo (27:15): "There are many new shows that opened on that street, including Suffs, including Water for Elephants, including the Outsiders and Stereophonic."

He also points out that "The Notebook" did not leverage the star power of its leads effectively, which is crucial in attracting Broadway audiences.

Mickey-Jo (36:45): "It does not feature huge name recognition stars... Joy Woods... was sensational but not enough to drive sustained ticket sales."

Performance and Musical Quality

The host critiques Ingrid Michaelson's score, praising the melodies but criticizing the lyrics for being too generic and not advancing the plot effectively.

Mickey-Jo (20:10): "I think the melodies are haunting and beautiful... The lyrics, however, feel a little generic."

He also highlights standout performances, particularly Joy Woods, whose powerful vocals received acclaim but still weren't enough to save the show.

Mickey-Jo (35:20): "Joy Woods... she is just a wonderfully good performer who also delivers show stopping vocals."

Future Prospects and Speculations

Despite its closure, "The Notebook" is slated for a national tour starting in September 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. Mickey-Jo speculates on potential West End adaptations, leveraging partnerships between US and UK producers.

Mickey-Jo (22:50): "I'm wondering if we might be seeing the Notebook before too long at the Shaftesbury Theatre."

He remains hopeful that the story will find new life beyond Broadway, potentially gaining more traction in different markets.

Conclusion

Mickey-Jo wraps up the episode by reiterating his sympathy for everyone affected by the closure and encourages listeners to share their thoughts and experiences with the musical.

Mickey-Jo (49:30): "My thoughts with the company, with the crew, with everyone who is going to be affected by this... share those thoughts in the comments section down below."

He urges his audience to stay connected for more theatrical news and expresses hope for future opportunities for "The Notebook".

Mickey-Jo (50:00): "I hope that everyone is staying safe and that you have a stagey day."

Key Takeaways:

• Financial Struggles: Insufficient ticket sales and poor gross performance led to the closure.
• Critical Reception: Mixed to negative reviews, especially from influential critics, impacted audience turnout.
• Competitive Environment: High competition from similar shows on Broadway diluted "The Notebook"'s market presence.
• Marketing and Star Power: Lack of big-name stars and ineffective marketing strategies contributed to its downfall.
• Future Opportunities: Plans for a national tour and potential West End adaptation offer hope for the musical's continued life.

Notable Quotes:

• Announcement: "The musical adaptation of the Notebook... will be closing."
• Empathy: "I want to offer all of my thoughts to the cast, to the company, to the crew..."
• Critical Impact: "Ultimately, the answer to this why is the Notebook closing on Broadway? It wasn't selling enough tickets."
• Personal Insight: "I gave it a four star review and I do agree that there are structural issues..."
• Hope for the Future: "I hope that everyone is staying safe and that you have a stagey day."

Final Thoughts:

Mickey-Jo provides a comprehensive analysis of "The Notebook"'s Broadway run, blending personal insights with industry knowledge. While acknowledging the show's closure, he remains optimistic about its future iterations and continues to advocate for its potential success in other venues.

For more in-depth reviews and the latest theatrical news, subscribe to MickeyJoTheatre on YouTube and follow him on TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).