the mommy avenger

Walking into the Buell Theater at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts always feels a little special, but The Notebook somehow raised the bar even higher.

Yes, that Notebook. The one that already broke our hearts on screen years ago. And somehow, against all odds, the musical stage version doesn’t just live up to the movie. In many ways, it deepens it.

At its core, The Notebook is a story told through memory. We meet an older Noah, quietly devoted, reading aloud to a woman in a care facility who can’t quite remember the life she lived. As the story unfolds, we’re transported back to the beginning. A small Southern town. A summer romance. Two young people from very different worlds who fall hard and fast.

Young Noah is earnest, persistent, and deeply sure of his feelings. Allie is strong-willed, curious, and pulled between who she’s expected to be and who she wants to become. Their love is passionate and messy and very real. Life, as it always does, gets in the way. Families interfere. Time passes. Choices are made. And the story carries us through years of separation, letters written and never received, paths taken that seem sensible at the time, and the quiet ache of “what if.”

What the stage production does beautifully is show how love evolves. This isn’t just about the spark of young romance. It’s about the long game. The show moves fluidly between timelines, showing us Noah and Allie at different stages of life. We see how love looks when it’s new and reckless, and how it looks decades later when it’s built on patience, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment.

The performances at the Buell were flawless. And I don’t use that word lightly. The cast carried this show with such confidence and emotional honesty that you forget you’re watching actors at all. At one point during the performance, there were technical difficulties on stage. Most of the audience never knew. That’s how steady and professional this cast was. They adjusted seamlessly, stayed fully in character, and never broke the emotional thread of the story.

If you loved the movie, you’ll notice some differences. And that’s a good thing. The stage version doesn’t try to recreate the film scene for scene. Instead, it leans into the emotional throughline and gives supporting characters more space, adding depth to the world around Noah and Allie. The changes feel intentional and meaningful, offering fresh moments even for those who know the story by heart.

The storytelling is stellar. From the pacing to the transitions between time periods, everything feels deliberate and grounded. The story captures you immediately and holds your attention, inviting you to reflect on your own relationships, your family, and the moments that define a life. It’s impossible not to see pieces of yourself in it. The young love. The hard choices. The enduring bonds that remain when everything else fades.

And that’s what makes The Notebook so powerful on stage. It reminds you that love isn’t just about grand gestures. It’s about showing up. Day after day. Even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.

The Notebook is in Denver for a limited engagement now through December 28th at the Buell Theater. If you’re visiting the city, this is a must-see. If you live here and keep meaning to get tickets later, don’t wait. This is one of those productions that stays with you long after the final scene.

Still looking for a great Christmas gift? This is the answer you were looking for. Give an experience. Give a story. Give a night that sparks conversation and reflection long after the curtain comes down.

The Notebook at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts is heartfelt, beautifully performed, and deeply moving. Bring tissues. Bring someone you love. And go see it while you still can.

_{*we were invited to facilitate a feature, all opinions are our own*}