Manila's theater season just got its most romantic show of the year, and the celebrities who caught the opening night cannot stop talking about it. The Notebook: The Musical, adapted from Nicholas Sparks' beloved novel, is now running in the city, with a mostly Filipino cast headlined by some of the country's strongest singers.
The Manila staging everyone is praising
Theatre Group Asia mounted the international premiere of The Notebook: The Musical on Sept. 2 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati, with an all-Filipino-lead production that keeps the show's sweeping love story intact. Directed by Filipino-American theater director Nicholas Polonio, the musical pairs music and lyrics by singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson with a book by Bekah Brunstetter.
Philippine theater icon Celeste Legaspi leads the cast as Older Allie, opposite acclaimed theater actor Rody Vera as Older Noah. Morissette stars as Middle Allie, with Laurence Mossman as Middle Noah, while Sheena Belarmino and Benedix Ramos play the young Allie and Noah at the story's start.
What the celebrities said
Actor Alex Diaz, who knows several members of the cast from the Bar Boys musical, called the show a beautiful experience. "To see some of the best singers in Manila with that material, iconic material, legendary material, such a classic, it's just such a treat," he said, singling out Morissette's performances as the standout.
Sam Concepcion praised the story about love and going home, admitting he was a wreck by the finale. "The last bit is the part that I love and hate the most. I was bawling, bawling my eyes out," he said. Theater actress Gab Pangilinan was equally moved, calling the production perfect for Filipino audiences. "It will tug at every Filipino's heartstrings. Perfect musical to be shown here in Manila, talaga," she said.
Meet the full cast
| Character | Performer |
|---|---|
| Older Allie | Celeste Legaspi |
| Older Noah | Rody Vera |
| Middle Allie | Morissette |
| Middle Noah | Laurence Mossman |
| Young Allie | Sheena Belarmino |
| Young Noah | Benedix Ramos |
| Mother | Carla Guevara Laforteza |
| Father | Floyd Tena |
The rest of the ensemble includes Shaun Ocrisma as Fin, Jillian Itaas as Georgie, Felicity Kyle Napuli as Sarah, Markki Stroem as Lon, Kathleen Francisco as Nurse Joanna, and Omar Uddin as Johnny.
Where to catch it
The Notebook: The Musical runs from Sept. 3 to 20, 2026 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati. Tickets are being sold through official theater channels, and with the buzz from opening night, theatergoers are being advised to book early.
Filipino theater has been on a roll lately. Heathers: The Musical is already confirmed for a Manila run in 2027, and Morissette has long proven her pull on local stages, having headlined concert bills alongside international acts. For fans of musicals that leave you wrecked in the best way, The Notebook is the one to clear your schedule for.
