‘The Notebook: The Musical’ sings about undying love in its various life stages

‘The Notebook: The Musical’ sings about undying love in its various life stages

True love can withstand and triumph against the obstacles of personal miscommunication, family objections, socio-economic class differences, the onslaught of Alzheimer’s Disease, and the ravages of time itself. That theme, which is also one ageless collective aspiration among many people, is probably one reason why The Notebook in its various forms has become a hit. 

First is Nicholas Sparks’ 1996 iconic bestselling novel. The second is the popular 2004 Hollywood film adaptation directed by Nick Cassavetes and starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. The third version is The Notebook: The Musical, the musical theater production, its music and lyrics written by Ingrid Michaelson and its Tony Award-winning book by Bekah Brunstetter, which ran on Broadway in 2024.

Regardless of whether they have seen the movie or read the book, the Filipino audience who watches the musical when it opens in September of this year just might find that the show’s characters and story will resonate with them. Christopher Mohnani, co-founder of Theatre Group Asia (TGA), which is mounting the musical in Manila, said that the latter is a “non-replica production, which means it will feature a completely different scenic and production design from the Broadway and North American touring productions. The creative team assembled by our Artistic Director is offering its own interpretation of the story.”

Still, what can captivate the audience is the production’s “enduring story of love against all odds, paired with some of the most beautiful music written for the stage,” said Mohnani. 

Probably most important of all is the non-linear progression of the narrative, which makes this musical different from most, with its two main characters being portrayed in their different life stages by different actors. “The characters, though portrayed across different generations, feel incredibly real,” said Mohnani. We can all see a part of ourselves in them, which makes the story highly relatable to contemporary audiences.”

Cast Selection

The couple at the heart of the musical are Allie and Noah, and the story shows how they meet, separate, and reunite throughout their young adulthood, middle age, and senior years. This results in the musical having six lead roles: Sheena Belarmino (Young Allie); Morissette (Middle Allie); Celeste Legaspi (Older Allie); Benedix Ramos (Young Noah); Laurence Mossman (Middle Noah); and Rody Vera (Older Noah).

Closed auditions were held. The above selected cast members were invited to submit tapes and had one-on-one conversations with the director, whom TGA has yet to announce. TGA’s creative leaders then reviewed their previous body of work and narrowed their list.

Some of the criteria for the selection included a “strong pop and country sensibility” and a capability to perform “eight times a week without alternates,” said Mohnani. At the same time, he is confident that the selected cast “will bring their own personal and professional experiences to these roles. Those experiences will shape their performances in unique ways and make each one feel fresh, authentic, and magical.”

Belarmino, who plays Allie in her 20s, says that her character at that life stage brings back some of the innocence of youth. “She works hard for her dreams and is very clear on what she wants, especially in what she loves,” she said. “Wala siyang masyadong iniisip in terms of the problems of the world. She just wants to live her life.”

The same idealism is present in the 20-something Noah, but because of his working-class background in life, he has to fight for his dreams, including his love for Allie, who comes from a wealthier family. He shows the girl his hopes and goals, which mean “the world to him. ‘Take it or leave it.’ The one [important] thing about the youth Noah is … his charm and confidence. … He has that will to really succeed in life,” said Ramos, who plays the Young Noah.

Different Decades

Love in middle age becomes harder and more challenging, especially when other things like other lovers, parental objection, and the Vietnam War get in the way. Mossman, who plays the middle-aged Noah, said that at this stage, puppy love, the honeymoon phase, and all the excitement that comes from those are all over. His character realizes that what can make love work are “the small things. The every-single-day things. It was every single day of hoping that the girl he loves would come back to him. That’s what made him really stick it out, to try and build this vision of a future.” He does not know if Allie will come back to him, but he is “just continually hoping.” 

Morissette, who plays middle Allie, said that her character is also going through tougher times at this point: “She is at a crossroads [between] going back to her supposed fiancé [or] to the love of her life. It’s not the most pleasing season of someone’s life.” At the same time, in that junction, she encounters “a little bit of humanness and thrill in the not knowing, the decision-making, and then eventually making the decision.”

Then, there are the sunset years, which make recapturing the fast-fading memories essential. Vera, who plays the Older Noah, explained why the titular notebook is almost irreplaceable in reawakening and restrengthening love, and hence becomes vital to the narrative.  “All the memories that are being shown on stage – they’re alive, colorful, very passionate,” he said. “The sad thing is that all these are disappearing because someone is forgetting them. All of them are in that notebook – and nakakatakot kapag nawala iyon.”

At this stage, the Older Allie is suffering from Alzheimer’s and is being cared for by the Older Noah, who is now her husband. Legaspi said that this particular segment hits her “really close to home” as her own mother died of the medical condition just a year ago, after undergoing it for about a decade. “It was very difficult and a very painful time for our family,” she shared. “Alzheimer’s is very, very cruel. You lose the person,” or the personality of the family member, even though the physical body is still present. 

Mohnani said that this segment of the musical is relevant to many Filipinos today: “It thoughtfully explores the challenges and struggles of having a loved one suffer from a debilitating illness and the impact this has on relationships. Many Filipinos will relate to the story of caring for a loved one, particularly a family member, because we value our familial relationships above all else.”

Act of Love

Legaspi described the “enormous challenge” in portraying her character in this condition:  “She must be walking around in quietude. She has words, but they don’t really mean anything. There is this huge quiet in her thoughts and heart. How do you communicate that to the audience?”

Vera said that this particular life stage can be painful – even without Alzheimer’s – because remembering both the memories and their accompanying feelings, and then keeping them together, “is such a huge task.”  At the same time, “it’s an act of love,” he said, which is why his character persists in trying to make Allie remember. “Matatandaan natin iyan, at kapag natandaan natin iyan, then the memory is alive and real. And that cuts across past, present, and future.”

Vera mused that the overwhelming importance of recapturing the memories is probably the reason for the musical’s non-linear staging. “Magkasama-sama lahat. Hindi lang siya chronological.”

Despite the foreign origins of the musical, Vera said he believes that the storyline and its tropes will be very familiar to the audience. “Napaka-Pinoy ng kuwento,” he said. “The poor boy meets the rich girl. Iyong anong nagawa mo para sa pag-ibig. Filipinos really love that kind.”

“It takes work and relationships to last,” Mossman put it another way. “Filipino audiences will really relate to the musical. This is the Philippines – the land of hugot, the land of love. We love love.”

The Notebook: The Musical, featuring music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson and a Tony Award-winning book by Bekah Brunstetter, runs from September 3 to 20 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, Circuit Makati.

Photo Credits: 
Property of Theatre Group Asia
Clint Ramos: Artistic Director
Christopher Mohnani: Executive Director

Creative Direction for Shoot: Ernest III / Art Directed
Photographer: Jyll Bitalac, Assisted by Sherie Bolo & Judd Bitalac
Producer: Jaz Orbe
Make Up Artist: Don De Jesus
Hairstylist: Miggy Carbonilla
Hair and Make Up for Morissette: Miko Dacanay
Styling: Team Ryuji Shiomitsu
Set Design: Ohm David

Shot on Location, Samsung Performing Arts Theater