Producers Kevin McCollum and Kurt Deutsch, along with the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts are thrilled to announce that The Notebook, a new musical based on the best-selling novel that inspired the iconic film, will play from April 28 to May 3 in Palm Beach and then it will head down to the Ziff Ballet Opera House at the Arsht Center in Miami from May 5-10.
“The Notebook is ultimately a celebration of life, love and the power of memory,” said producers Kevin McCollum and Kurt Deutsch. “Audiences first fell in love with this timeless story as a novel, then as an iconic film and now they can experience it anew as a moving musical event. With multi-platinum artist Ingrid Michaelson’s unforgettable score and Tony Award-nominated Bekah Brunstetter’s beautifully crafted book, The Notebook comes to life on stage in a way that will resonate deeply with audiences across North America.”
Allie and Noah, two people from different worlds, share a lifetime of love despite the forces that threaten to pull them apart. “Full of butterfly-inducing highs and beautiful songs” (Entertainment Weekly), The Notebook is a deeply moving portrait of the enduring power of love.
The Notebook features music and lyrics by multi-platinum singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson and a book by playwright Bekah Brunstetter (writer and producer on NBC’s “This Is Us,” The Cake). The production is directed by Michael Greif (Dear Evan Hansen, Next to Normal, RENT) and Schele Williams (Aida, The Wiz), with choreography by Katie Spelman (Associate Choreographer on Moulin Rouge! The Musical).
The production was recently recognized with three 2024 Tony Award nominations (Best Book of a Musical, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical), Drama League Award nominations for Outstanding Production of a Musical, two Distinguished Performance Awards and the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing, Drama Desk Award nominations for Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical and an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical.
It was a pleasure to sit down with cast member, Ken Wulf Clark, for this exclusive Hotspots Interview:
At what age did you begin performing and how did it happen?
I have done theater since my senior year in High School, but I sang since the 2nd grade.
What was your first professional gig (and tell me about it)?
I did Summer Stock at the Arundel Barn Playhouse between my junior and senior year in college and I was in “Mikado” and “Alter Boys,” and I made about $150 a week..
When did you know performing would be your career?
I don’t know if there has been a moment, but when it happens, I will let you know. When a job ends you stare at the phone and wonder if that was it.
Other than this show, what has been your favorite role so far?
I have played Arthur in “Camelot” three separate times and it’s a role close to my heart.
What’s your fantasy role (a role you haven’t played but would die to play)?
Henry Higgins in “My Fair Lady.” I love Lerner and Loll and I love that role.
Is it intimidating or is there extra pressure touring with a show that was such an iconic movie?
For me, no, I had never even seen the movie. I finally watched it when we were done with rehearsals.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
I’d rather not!
What do you do for fun?
I try to golf in every town that I visit. We don’t get a whole lot of time off, but when we do we want it to be restorative and Golf does that for me.
You were brought up in South Florida, are you excited to be coming back?
Very excited…absolutely. My parents have moved so I am not going home to my old house, but I am going to see tons of friends. I hope to get down to the everglades as that’s where I grew up.
Before I get to my last question, is there anything I didn’t ask you that you want to talk about?
Yes, my castmates are incredible, and I feel blessed to be on this tour. We are each other’s professional and social life for a year or two and it’s not a small miracle that we all get along and like each other. It’s a lovely experience.
What should our readers expect from this touring company of, “The Notebook”?
It is unabashedly romantic and the love story of a generation. I hope when people leave that they hug their significant other for 15 extra seconds because the Notebook made them feel good about their relationship; that includes friend relationship.s I am very proud of our show.
For more information on Ken, you can go to his website at: Kenwolfclark.com or follow him at Instagram.com/Schmark19 insta
For more information go to: NotebookMusical.com. To purchase tickets go to Kravis.com or Arshtcenter.com respectively.
