When Theatre Group Asia’s stage adaptation of The Notebook: The Musical lights up the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Ayala Circuit, Makati, this 3 September, theatergoers will meet three distinct pairs steering the iconic romance of Noah and Allie: Sheena Belarmino and Benedix Ramos tackling the starry-eyed youth, Morissette and Laurence Mossman driving the turbulent midlife chapters, and stage veterans Celeste Legaspi and Rody Vera bringing it home in their twilight years.

Yet, operating right in the shadows of the marquee names is a six-member team also working tirelessly to master that exact same alchemy: Justine Narciso, Albert Silos, Katrine Sunga, Edward Benosa, Gimbey dela Cruz and Jamie Wilson — the covers, fully primed to pull on the costume racks and jump into the lead tracks or swing through various supporting roles at a moment’s notice.

During an exclusive sneak peek inside their rehearsal studio on 20 August, with less than two weeks before the curtain rises, the principal cast was already operating at full tilt. Emotional nuance bled through every beat, as glances, pauses, and character dynamics effortlessly laid bare the raw subtext beneath the dialogue — leaving the invited rehearsal guests visibly moved, red-eyed, and dabbing away tears.

In a heavy-hitter musical like The Notebook, soaring vocals can certainly hold up a melody, but the true magic happens when an actor uncovers the precise emotional trigger that makes the character sing in that exact second. That heart-wrenching spark was already firing on all cylinders in the room — and it sets the exact bar of theatrical discipline these six covers are preparing to match.

Behind the scenes with the backups

Taking on cover duty in this show is no walk in the park; these actors are juggling extensive character rosters. Narciso is locked in for Young Allie and Sarah; Silos handles Young Noah alongside Fin; Sunga tackles Middle Allie, Nurse Joanna, the Concierge, and Georgie; Benosa pulls quadruple duty as Middle Noah, Lon, Nurse Tyler, and Johnny; dela Cruz spans Older Allie, Mother, and Nurse Lori; while Wilson maneuvers Older Noah, Father and Son.

This is not just a bench of eager substitutes — it’s an eclectic dream team culled from every corner of the local stage scene. Narciso last year wrapped up starring duties in Repertory Philippines’ Alice in Wonderland, while Sunga commanded the stage as Aldonza in REP’s Man of La Mancha earlier this season.|

Benosa brings dramatic chops from Mula sa Buwan and Anino sa Likod ng Buwan, and dela Cruz boasts fan-favorite credits in hit shows like Rak of Aegis and Katy: The Musical. Silos effectively grew up treading the boards with Repertory Philippines, while Wilson, the most seasoned player in the lineup, arrives fresh off a Gawad Buhay win for Male Lead Performance in a Musical for his title turn in Shrek the Musical.

The result is a cover team drawing from diverse artistic backgrounds, spanning opera, musical theater, voice performance, and decades of stage experience. Yet, despite their different paths, all six share the same high-stakes responsibility: knowing these multi-layered characters inside and out, ready to step into the spotlight whenever called upon.

Bringing global titles to life

At TGA’s core is a firm commitment to proudly Filipino artistry. Led by creative and overall artistic director Clint Ramos and executive director Christopher Mohnani, the company’s signature ethos ensures Filipino blood drives every layer of production — from marquee leads to lighting design. By uniting local stalwarts with global powerhouses from Broadway and the West End, TGA elevates major titles through an authentically Pinoy lens.

Opening their 2026–2027 season, The Notebook marks TGA’s fourth production, following Request Sa Radyo, Into the Woods and A Chorus Line. Director Nicholas Polonio leads the creative ship of The Notebook, flanked by Wilson pulling double duty as associate director, alongside choreographer JM Cabling.

The visual and auditory atmosphere is built by production designer Miguel Urbino, musical director Farley Asuncion, lighting designer Cha See, sound designer Jordana Abrenica, hair and makeup artist Jaydee Jasa, and vocal coach Lani Ligot.

A romance reimagined

The musical itself traces its roots back to Nicholas Sparks’ 1996 tearjerker, which spun off into the iconic 2004 feature film starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. This theatrical iteration features a book penned by Bekah Brunstetter, draped in a poignant score by indie-pop darling Ingrid Michaelson.

While Michaelson’s melodies construct the spine of the romance, the actors must navigate everything breathing in the spaces between the music: the agonizing hesitations, deep longings, unbridled joy, and messy crossroads that define Noah and Allie’s shared lifetime.

For TGA, these six covers represent the ultimate safety net and a testament to local theatrical rigor. They might spend most nights waiting in the wings rather than taking center-stage bows, but they bear the vital responsibility of keeping the heart of this story beating — ready to step up the second duty calls.