Broadway's latest musical adaptation: "The Notebook," is offering fans a new way to immerse themselves in the stage show's sonic storytelling through its newly released cast album, which features 21 pop-infused originals penned by singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson.
The new record recently arrived via Atlantic Records, a label responsible for releasing past Grammy-winning albums for highly acclaimed productions like "Hamilton" and "Dear Evan Hansen."
Adapted from the globally beloved Nicholas Sparks novel and film of the same name, the musical has been farming the tears of theatre geeks since its opening last March. Now, its lovestruck-themed tracks can be experienced outside NYC's Schoenfield Theatre.
'The Notebook' Cast Members' Thoughts on the New Recording
Centered on the now-famed romantic story between Allie and Noah, the musical encapsulates the two leads' years-long love affair by breaking up the roles into three age ranges: "young," "middle-aged," and "old," all of which are played by their respective set of actors.
Middle-aged Noah, played by "Wicked" and "Waitress" actor Ryan Vasquez, was the first to be highlighted as part of the new cast album by way of its lead single: "Leave the Light On."
"It's partly surreal in that the impossibility of a show getting all the way to Broadway, from the seed of an idea, is such a blessing," Vasquez told Music Times. "So to be able to crystallize this moment in a way that everyone will be able to enjoy, all over the world, is profound and not lost on me."
Recording vocals for the album posed new challenges, something that was alleviated by the support and guidance of seasoned music industry vet Michaelson, who was trudging alongside the cast throughout the whole exhaustive process.
For one, young Noah actor John Cardoza vividly feels so, expressing his amazement in having the career-high opportunity to record music by the "Way I Am" singer.
"Ingrid is incredible," Cardoza shared. "She is supportive, collaborative, and specific. Singing her music on the album is one of the greater honors of my career thus far."
Similarly, Jordan Tyson, who plays the young version of Allie, recalls her pleasant time in the studio with Michaelson and how it was "such a lesson in style and precision."
"My voice has what feels like 12,000 setting options, so it was really Ingrid and I (and my amazing coach, Roberta) who spent hours choosing what vocal sound would ultimately be right for this role and as a complement to the other music and voices in the show," said Tyson.
Of the new intimate version of the musical's collection of tracks, Cardoza said: "I think one of greatest benefits of [the] recording versus the live performance is that it's a different, more intimate environment and style of singing."
"You can really play with vocal emotion and dynamics in a beautiful, subtle way that might not read while performing for an audience in a Broadway theater," he added.
Fellow industry veteran Vasquez echoed Cardoza's thoughts despite the unique bits of challenges that come with the recent project. Also, the actor said he appreciated the "focus on making this album sound like a pop album."
"Pop music is bringing more people into the theater, which is beautiful," Vasquez continued. "And I think The Notebook will do just that."
You can now stream the cast album by clicking here or you can also sample the tracks right below. For more information on the ongoing musical itself, visit www.NotebookMusical.com.
