MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Theatre Group Asia’s (TGA) international premiere of The Notebook The Musical has sold out its Manila engagement, with the production concluding its run this Sunday, September 20, at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati, which triumphantly opened TGA’s 2026–2027 season.
Following the back-to-back successes of TGA’s Into the Woods and A Chorus Line, The Notebook continued Theatre Group Asia’s legacy of mounting emotionally resonant, world-class productions for audiences in the region. From the same powerhouse team behind the unprecedented sold-out runs, TGA successfully brought together visionary artistry and heartfelt storytelling, promising the same level of excellence, scale, and impact that audiences have come to expect.
The Manila production offers The Notebook through a distinctly Filipino theatrical lens, pairing a universally recognizable story with the artistry of a Philippine creative company and ensemble. The Manila production features an all-Filipino principal cast portraying Allie and Noah at three different stages of their lives: Sheena Belarmino and Benedix Ramos as Young Allie and Young Noah; Morissette and Laurence Mossman as Middle Allie and Middle Noah; and Celeste Legaspi and Rody Vera as Older Allie and Older Noah.
“The Notebook is a story about love that endures through time, but this production is also a story about the extraordinary Asian artists who brought it to life,” said Tony Award-winning artist Clint Ramos,
co-founder of Theatre Group Asia. “We are incredibly grateful to our audiences, our artists and our creative team, and to the producers and authors for granting us permission to mount this production in Asia. To see the entire run sold out is an extraordinary affirmation of what TGA can accomplish on an international stage.”
Based on the bestselling novel by Nicholas Sparks and the beloved film adaptation, the musical adaptation features a book by Bekah Brunstetter and a score by Ingrid Michaelson. The Notebook had a run at Broadway's Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre in 2024, and Chicago Shakespeare Theater in 2022.
At its core, the musical follows Allie and Noah — two young lovers from different worlds — whose bond is tested by circumstance, distance, and the passage of years. Told across three stages of their lives, the story unfolds with tenderness and emotional depth, reminding us that true love is not only about passion, but about choosing each other again and again.
With a soaring contemporary score and intimate storytelling, the production weaves together romance, heartbreak, and hope into an unforgettable theatrical experience. It is a celebration of commitment, sacrifice, and the quiet heroism found in loving someone faithfully through every season of life.
The critics have widely embraced TGA’s The Notebook, including:
Broadway World Philippines exclaimed, “This landmark staging of “The Notebook” is an absolute must-see. It isn’t just another recent Broadway title—it’s a stunning showcase of world-class Filipino
actors and creatives making their mark in showcasing an already beautiful piece of theater on a regional stage.”
Tatler Asia praised Theatre Group Asia’s artistic vision, writing, “Theatre Group Asia delivers a theatrical experience that breathes with distinct artistic independence. By pairing meticulous acting choices with panoramic visual direction, Theatre Group Asia’s production of The Notebook The Musical proves that a licensed international premiere can offer a definitive, world-class artistic statement.”
Inquirer Plus raved, “from the grounded performances by its veteran artists to the enjoyable charm of its younger stars, The Notebook: The Musical’s international premiere succeeds in showcasing the things Filipinos are exceptional at: music and storytelling.”
Daily Tribune declared “Theatre Group Asia’s production of The Notebook The Musical will undoubtedly move you.” It went on to celebrate the show’s Manila staging, noting that The Notebook has a “vibrant theatrical life on a Manila stage, powered by top-notch Filipino talent and worthy of its status as an international premiere.”
Manila Bulletin highlighted the production’s individuality, observing that “this international premiere carries a life of its own, and Polonio is proud to say that it’s not a carbon copy of the Broadway staging.”
The Post celebrated the many elements that make the production stand out, praising its “humor, a strong live score, clever storytelling, and a cast that shows just how much Filipino talent belongs on a stage this big.”
Metro captured the energy and emotion of the production, noting that “excitement poured in for its cast members' amazing performances, impressive staging, and the simultaneously heartfelt and heartbreaking music and lyrics that filled the Samsung Performing Arts Theater.”
Philippine Concerts praised the production’s visual and emotional intimacy, describing it as “a visually poetic, emotionally intimate stage experience that expands the novel and film while preserving their core of enduring love.” The publication also highlighted the production’s atmosphere and design, writing, “The stage and sound design lights came up soft, the kind that make everything feel a little more sacred than ordinary,” adds Philippine Concerts.
ABOUT THEATRE GROUP ASIA
Theatre Group Asia (TGA) presents world-class theatre that brings the global dramatic canon to life, while placing the Filipino experience at its heart. Through theatre, we honor the depth and richness of our history and culture, creating a space where Filipinos resonate within a global context.
Theatre Group Asia strives to produce works led by Filipino creatives and performed by artists of Filipino heritage, with a commitment to engaging Filipino audiences and fostering connections within the international theatre community.
Discover more on Theatre Group Asia at www.theatregroupasia.com. Follow Theatre Group Asia on social:
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