‘The Notebook: The Musical,’ made possible by Theater Group Asia, runs Sept. 3 to Sept. 20, 2026, at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater.
Of all the memorable experiences that internationally acclaimed best-selling novelist Nicholas Sparks remembered during his Manila visit in November 2011, it was when he answered the question: “If you were a sexual position, what would you be?”
He was a guest on the late-night show of Boy Abunda, whose line of questioning always included questions like, “Sex or chocolate? Lights on or lights off?”
We can’t remember all of Spark’s answers, but on the first one, he said, “Strong and silent,” followed by laughter. Some authors are known for being elusive, reclusive, and eccentric, but Sparks, despite his massive popularity, remains accessible and well-adjusted in handling fame.
Sparks was doing a promotional book tour in Southeast Asia for his 17th novel titled The Best of Me, and he was treated, as the saying goes nowadays, like a K-pop star.
At the time The Notebook, his first published novel that came out in October 1996 and was on the New York Times bestseller list for a year, had developed a cult following not only in the US, but all over the world.
In an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, also in 2011, during book-signing sessions, his Filipino fans reportedly lined up as early as 2 am.
Discussing its effect on readers worldwide, Sparks said, “I’ve met people that have had Notebook-themed weddings. They pull quotes from the books and build them into their wedding vows. Some have done their wedding photography with The Notebook theme. I’ve heard of people buried with my book.”
The movie adaptation in 2004, starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, with a reported budget of US$29 million, grossed a total of $118.3 million worldwide. It is still being streamed on select platforms (we saw it on Netflix some time last year).
Now, with the international premiere of The Notebook: The Musical, made possible by Theater Group Asia (TGA) and running from Sept. 3 to Sept. 20, 2026 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater (SPAT), local theater followers are showing the same enthusiasm.
From an objective point of view, without any spoilers, the heart-wrenching story of Allie and Noah has the qualities of Filipino, Mexican, and Korean telenovelas, which remain a hit with people of all ages.
A young poor boy meets a rich teenage girl in an exciting time. They fall in love. Girl’s parents, landowners akin to hacenderos in telenovelas, disapprove, because despite his having the virtues of a potential loyal, good husband, Noah is someone below their social strata. He can’t provide the comfortable and secure life their daughter has been used to. The parents match her with a boy who belongs to their class. Poor boy and rich girl break up, but as fate would have it, they meet several years later. Adding to the twist, they reunite a few days before rich girl is set to marry the guy her parents chose for her. Will Allie and Noah have the same happy ending?
If we think about it, the narrative has a formula dating back to Wuthering Heights and other romance classics. But therein lies the genius of Sparks. As the gods of literature would say, there are no new stories to tell. It’s up to the author to add a new twist to this human condition.
Without giving too many spoilers, by using flashbacks, we know Allie and Noah end up together with kids and grandchildren. It’s just that Allie has dementia.
Sparks uses memory and nostalgia as pivotal elements, and successfully shows us there’s still enduring love in a world designed to destroy anything beautiful and romantic.
Sparks’ novel successfully shows us there’s still enduring love in a world designed to destroy anything beautiful and romantic
As of last count, 11 of 22 novels by Sparks have been adapted into films. Prior to The Notebook, there were the Kevin Costner and Paul Newman starrer Message in a Bottle in 1999 and A Walk to Remember, starring Mandy Moore, in 2002. The Notebook was followed by Nights in Rodanthe in 2008, which reunited onscreen couple Richard Gere and Diane Lane, the Channing Tatum-Amanda Seyfried starrer Dear John in 2010, The Last Song in 2010 starring Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth, and The Lucky One in 2012 featuring Zac Efron as the soldier who takes a photograph of a woman he doesn’t know, which becomes an inspiration for him to stay sane and alive. Other Sparks novels adapted into films were Safe Haven in 2013, The Best of Me in 2014, The Longest Ride in 2015, and The Choice in 2016.
Among all these Sparks’ tearjerkers, only The Notebook has been adapted into a Broadway musical.
With a book written by playwright Bekah Brunstetter, co-directed by Michael Greif and Schele Williams, with music and lyrics by singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson, The Notebook: The Musical’s debuted on Broadway on March 14, 2024 and ran until Dec. 15, 2024 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. Since then, it has been touring key US cities and has performance dates until 2027.
What makes the theatrical version worth the experience?
In a statement, TGA said, for the opening show for their 2026–2027 season, they chose to have a Filipino-led cast and creative team, “placing Filipino artistry at the center of a story.”
Chris Mohnani, TGA’s executive director and SPAT Circuit Makati managing director, said what makes The Notebook’s story memorable and worth it as a theatrical experience is that it shows “true love is not only about passion, but choosing each other, again and again.”
New York City-based director Nicholas Polonio directs the international premiere of ‘The Notebook The Musical.’ (Photo by Totel de Jesus)
During the media conference before the musical opens on Sept. 3, 2026 at Circuit Malls’ SPAT, director Nicholas Polonio said since it’s the second version of the show the world has ever seen, there are “so many surprises apart from the book and the film versions.
“To me, the script does remarkably well in going into the creative process. Allie changes in different aspects of her life. There are three actors playing three versions of Allie in the different stages of her life, and it’s more important for me is to show they’re quite distinct from each other,” he said.
Directing credits of the New York City- based Polonio include The Self Improvement and Male Preservation Society, or S.I.M.P.S., Mary Stuart, The Police, and POV: U Run Joe Biden’s TikTok. He is also known for his development work with organizations like Ars Nova, New York Theatre Workshop, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Bedlam, Ma-Yi Theater Company, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Hangar Theatre, and Audible Theater.
He was also directing fellow for the New York Theatre Workshop and Drama League Hangar. In New York, he leads a directing seminar at New York University.
“The coming-of-age story is quite interesting, and there’s how the husband and wife connect. In different parts of your life, losing each other and finding each other again, are you the same person? As director, I never question whether this person is the same,” Polonio said.
He explained that since there are six actors playing one couple in different stages of the relationship, the dynamic between the two “should be more formative and informative.”
The cast members shared their experiences during rehearsals.
Markki Stroem plays Lon Hammond Jr., Allie’s rich and good-looking fiancée (James Marsden in the film). Stroem said it was a great experience with the amazing cast and the creative team “because the process is very collaborative.” He praised Polonio, who as director, helped them in introducing their respective characters and growing with them.
Sheena Belarmino, as the young Allie, said that the most rewarding experience was to see veteran actress-performer Celeste Legaspi, who plays the elder Allie, and Morrisette Amon, middle Allie, do their roles and just by watching them, she was learning from them.
“Oh my God,” Belarmino exclaimed. “To see that growth in the story is the same as seeing how beautiful life is.”
Carla Guevara-Laforteza, as Allie’s mother, said, “The experience is a blessing for me. I can easily relate to the song Don’t You Worry because there are so many emotions. It’s also my favorite scene. I am a mother myself and every day, that’s what I do, that’s what I tell my kids and myself: ‘Don’t you worry because despite life’s constant challenges, everything will be alright.’”
Legaspi’s presence has been inspiring for the cast. Guevara-Laforteza added, “My favorite scene is when I get to hug Miss Celeste, this legendary actress.”
Benedix Ramos, who plays Young Noah, said all of the songs resonate with him on different levels. “From start to end, it’s the story that speaks to you. It has sadness and joy and every time I sing, I feel that. There’s no sadness if there’s no joy, they co-exist, ‘di pwedeng grief lang, there must be hope, like love and being in a relationship,” he said.
‘There’s no sadness if there’s no joy, they co-exist, ‘di pwedeng grief lang,’ said Benedix Ramos, who plays young Noah
Morisette said she didn’t find the storytelling difficult. “The material is so good and we didn’t have to try so hard. The challenge is how can we be the same person because Celeste and Sheena are different actors.”
Legaspi agreed that because the story is very well-written, “the challenge is not being the same as Sheena and Morisette; the challenge is to portray Allie in her dementia. We change as we grow old.”
She is very thankful for being cast as the Old Allie. “For older actors, especially women, it is very rare to find a role that fits us. So, I am truly grateful to be able to work with this cast, marvelous Filipino talent at its very best, from the production to the crew, everything. It’s wonderful to be here with you all,” Legaspi mused.
Laurence Mossman plays Middle Noah while Morisette Amon plays Middle Allie. (Photo by Totel de Jesus)
Asked how they prepare for the emotionally heavy scenes, Filipino-Kiwi actor Laurence Mossman, who plays Middle Noah, said every time they have a run-through of show, he finds “there’s always something different.
“There’s a part of yourself that pulls your heart. It might be the body of work, it could be someone’s delivery of his or her line; you see a part of yourself, you see someone you love. The character brings out your true self,” he said.
“So, please come to the show because that’s the beauty of theater. It gives you the ability to see yourself in someone else’s life, and you’re given a different, hopefully better perspective. Just be open and we’ll tell you a wonderful romantic story about life and love. ‘Yun lang,” he added.
Director Nicholas Polonio flanked by Rody Vera, who plays Old Noah, and Celeste Legaspi, who plays Old Allie (Photo by Totel de Jesus)
Rody Vera plays Old Noah. We have to mention that he is also a veteran, much-awarded playwright, and his observation comes from a writer’s point of view, aside from that of an actor. “What makes this musical unique and exquisite is how it takes place in a different time,” he said.
“So, it consistently breaks the continuum and becomes an internal space. In preparing for that, before entering the stage, I have to sit and watch what’s happening on stage, I have to watch the younger Noah and the Middle Noah and piece them together in one space. If I don’t watch, I can’t prepare. It helps me as an actor to have a different perspective.”
Then again, there’s a caveat. He said since he gets carried away by some scenes that he’s watching, he can’t help but shed some tears, Vera said. “And that’s my problem, how to hold back my tears. Because during rehearsals, I was teary-eyed in some scenes but I realized, teka lang, I’m not supposed to cry,” he said, laughing.
Sheena Belarmino is Young Allie while Benedix Ramos plays Young Noah. He recounted the tissue paper method in courtship. (Photo by Totel de Jesus)
For Sheena Belarmino, the Young Allie, the story, she said, tells her “that we shouldn’t be afraid to love. Love is real; amid wars, people shouldn’t be afraid to love. Masarap magmahal.”
Shaun Ocrisma, who plays Fin, the best friend of Noah, said whenever he sees Noah and Allie in their old age, he sees his parents. “I really feel so much love with this show because it makes me feel how much life can give you, everything you love about life.”
Jillian Itaas plays Georgie, the girlfriend of Fin. With regards to the effect of the musical on her, she said she feels “a deeper appreciation of life and people around me.
“This show would always want me to call my parents and brothers every day. I just want to hug everybody around me,” she said.
Floyd Tena plays the Father. The scene that touches him the most is when Allie, as an old lady with dementia, can’t recognize Noah anymore. “Instead of telling Allie that he’s her husband, he tells her that he’s just an old friend. Hindi nya pinilit.”
As a single father in real life, he shared wonderful insights for the youth of today. He said because of the strong emotion he feels every time that scene is acted on stage, he feels the urge to tell his kids, the younger generation, to be always in the moment, because experiences, like memory, can be so fleeting.
“Your generation has gadgets, so please drop your phones, just be present and create wonderful memories. Experiences shouldn’t have digital footprints. They should be embedded deep in your heart because some memories last forever, the way they should. If you’re recording with your phone, it’s okay, but you are not there in the moment, wholeheartedly. You are distracted and you miss that moment until you forget how it feels. You should learn to love the things that matter the most without your gadgets.”
But it’s not all intense emotions.
Speaking of gadgets, the young actors reflected on Allie and Noah’s situation in the pre-digital era. They imagined some what-ifs, and how the story wouldn’t work if there was social media in those days. After the breakup, all Noah has to do is follow Allie on her socials and he’d get in touch sooner—unless she blocked him.
Benedix Ramos said, “It’s different loving someone from afar, without Viber, Instagram, ang hirap manligaw nang malayo, kaya mga lolo at lola ko nagkatuluyan kasi magkapitbahay, pati mama at papa ko, magkapitbahay lang din.”
Given the fact that there were no gadgets during young Allie and Noah’s time, Ramos explained if he were to approach a girl he likes, someone he’d just met, he’d invite her to have a snack or coffee. “Maybe, write my number on a piece of tissue. If it’s nighttime, I will leave the light on so she can see the tissue,” he said, while looking at Belarmino the Young Allie, making his castmates laugh.
Legaspi, being a legendary member of the Boomer generation, can’t help but speak her mind. Looking at Ramos, the OPM icon said, “Naawa naman ako sa mga bata, they can only use tissue paper.
“I can only share the stories of my mother and father. My father would walk kilometers from Manila Bay to Cavite City just to see my mother,” she said, of course, referring to National Artist for Visual Arts Cesar Legaspi.
In jest, she continued, “I’m thankful that I didn’t have to tell my children that their mother was conceived and born not because of a tissue paper.”
Getting a bit serious, she added, “But you know, it’s the same with my generation; if you see someone, your heart stops and you fall in love, and everything changes.”
“Like when I fell in love, I really thought my husband was the most handsome man in the room. Apparently, he’s not pala,” she said, making everyone in the SPAT hall laugh. She was referring to renowned advertising executive Nonoy Gallardo, who is also a brilliant composer. Among Nonoy’s now-iconic compositions sang and recorded by Celeste are Saranggola ni Pepe and Tuliro. He was also co-founder of Musical Theatre Philippines (Musicat).
“But there’s something about him. The way he walks, things like that, so I courted him. I approached him and told him, ‘I like you.’ Walang paligoy-ligoy, maybe it would be better if we get married. And we did,” Legaspi said, to more laughter from the cast.
Looking at Ramos, Belarmino and other young members of the cast, Legaspi said, “So there, a little lesson for you, young people.”
Belarmino responded, saying that is what she’s going to do. “If I see a handsome person and I like him, I’d go to him and introduce myself,” she said.
Mossman said, like a scene in the musical, he’d bring the woman she loves somewhere, like a gated village, where there are big, beautiful houses. “I’d point to that house, newly built, and I’d tell her, we’re going to live there.” We wonder what actress Kiara Miren Dario, his real-life girlfriend, would say.
Seriously, Mossman said, “Loving someone is showing up every day. To be there as much as he can. Remember her favorite food, pick her up after work—who wouldn’t love that?”
Morisette, in agreement, said, “We think we know the person through social media, but more important is what happens outside social media, how you show your love and appreciation.”
Joining the fun, Vera, while looking at Legaspi, said, “In showing my love for someone, perhaps in our case, for the Old Allie, I’d ask her, ‘Allie, nag-nebulize ka na ba, nainom mo na ba ang maintenance meds mo?”
‘In showing my love for someone, perhaps in our case, for the Old Allie, I’d ask her, “Allie, nag-nebulize ka na ba, nainom mo na ba ang maintenance meds mo?,’ said Rody Vera
Other members of the cast are Felicity Kyle Napuli as Sarah the high school friend of Noah; Kathleen Francisco as Nurse Joanna; and Omar Uddin as Johnny the physical therapist.
The covers—otherwise known as understudies, swings, alternates—are Justine Narciso for Young Allie or Sarah, Albert Silos for Young Noah or Fin. There’s also Katrine Sunga as Middle Allie, Nurse Joanna, and Concierge Georgie. Edward Benosa is understudy for Middle Noah, Lon, Nurse Tyler, and Johnny. Gimbey dela Cruz is for Older Allie, Mother, and Nurse Lori.
Jamie Wilson, who also functions as associate director, is alternate for Older Noah, Father, and Son.
Asian Cultural Council scholar JM Cabling is back as choreographer after his stint with TGA’s A Chorus Line.
Musical director Farley Asuncion (Photo by Totel de Jesus)
Miguel Urbino handles production design. Farley Asuncion, who we know as musical director in Dulaang UP’s landmark productions written by the late Floy Quintos, is musical director. He also plays live keyboard music.
Cha See is lighting designer, Jordana Abrenica is sound designer, Jaydee Jasa handles hair and makeup, and Lani Ligot is vocal coach.
TGA invites everyone to experience the love story of Allie and Noah as it unfolds across multiple stages of their lives. In an earlier statement, TGA said, “Through memory, time, separation, and the choices that shape a lifetime, The Notebook: The Musical explores what it means to love someone deeply, to grow alongside them, and to hold on to the stories that make us who we are.”
Tickets are available via TicketWorld, with prices ranging from ₱900 to ₱5,500. Theatre Group Asia’s 2026–2027 season is made possible with the support of Ayala Land, BPI, and Philippine Airlines.
For more information, visit theatregroupasia.com, follow @theatregroupasia on Instagram, or visit the official Theatre Group Asia Facebook page.
