It’s Official! Morissette is Middle Allie in Theatre Group Asia’s International Stage Premiere of ‘The Notebook: The Musical’

MANILA, Philippines — ICYMI, Theatre Group Asia (TGA), following a string of dropped teasers that got the theater-loving community guessing, has officially announced the casting of acclaimed Filipino vocalist Morissette as Middle Allie in its upcoming production of “The Notebook: The Musical”.

Marking a significant milestone for Philippine theater, the production will serve as the musical’s international premiere, placing Manila at the forefront of global stage storytelling when it opens at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater on September 2026.

From its loved season, TGA’s 2026-27 season, opens with this stage adaptation of Nicholas Sparks’ iconic novel turned film cult classic, featuring music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson and a Tony-nominated book by Bekah Brunstetter.

Following its 2022 debut at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater under the direction of Michael Greif and Schele Williams, it then went onto to Broadway, where it received three Tony nominations.

While the story is widely recognized through its 2004 film adaptation starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, the stage version expands the narrative by portraying Allie and Noah across multiple stages of their lives, offering a layered perspective on how love matures, fractures, and ultimately endures. Praised for its emotional restraint and lyrical storytelling, the musical presents a more intimate and reflective interpretation of the classic romance, exploring themes of memory, aging, and devotion with contemporary musical sensibilities.

TGA’s Overall Artistic and Creative Director, Clint Ramos shares in a press statement, “We are very honored to welcome Morissette to the TGA family. Casting Middle Allie is a tough process because the character’s songs are technically challenging as they are emotionally demanding. It takes a special kind of vocalist and actress to tackle this role. And we’re overjoyed Morissette welcomed the prospect. She’s spectacular!”

Morissette is a multi-award-winning Cebuana artist recognized for her extraordinary vocal range and commanding stage presence that then earned her the indelible mark of being “Asia’s Phoenix”. Over a career spanning more than 15 years, she has established herself as one of the Philippines’ most celebrated performers, known for her powerful live vocals and her ability to connect deeply with audiences through music and storytelling.

Morissette first rose to national prominence through televised singing competitions before achieving international recognition with chart-topping songs, major concert productions, and collaborations with global artists such as Michael Bolton, Ben Adams, and Alan Menken. Her career has taken her to sold-out venues across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

She previously appeared in the Philippine production of “Camp Rock: The Musical”, marking an early step into theatre. She was also one of the first performers who launched Circuit’s Blackbox Theater when she appeared in “The Mister Kupido Musical”, and was likewise one of the first performers in S-PAT with “Favor Church”. In 2025, she celebrated her 15th anniversary with “Ember”, a landmark solo concert. That same year, she made her film debut in Song of the Fireflies, earning Best Actress at the Manila International Film Festival.

Reflecting on her return to the stage, Morissette opens up, “[I’m] so excited to be returning to the theater stage after almost a decade, and to be working with TGA. The opportunity came at a perfect time because I had already been thinking about going back to theater.” Having long admired the story, she notes, “I loved the film adaptation, and the songs from the musical are so beautiful and moving.”

She finds a personal connection in Middle Allie’s character, describing her as “free-spirited and strong-willed,” qualities she relates to in her own life.

The singer-actress adds, “I tend to take risks in my professional and personal life, and I fight for what I believe in.” She continues, “When I started studying it, it hit a little close to home. I really believe that to love and be loved is so empowering—it gives you the courage to take risks.”

For Morissette, the enduring appeal of “The Notebook”, as an all-encompassing material, lies in its portrayal of love that evolves over time. “Love conquers all, especially when it stands the test of time like Allie and Noah’s does. I love how the story shows them across different generations and how their relationship grows and changes through the years,” she says, then highlighting the musical’s score as a defining element that is “honest and sincere in portraying what the characters cannot simply say, very heartwarming yet powerful.”

In preparing for the role, she shares taking an immersive approach, returning to the material for deeper insight into the characters and narrative while continuously engaging with the musical’s soundtrack. “I’ve been physically and vocally preparing myself to step into Middle Allie’s shoes and voice,” she shares.

As she steps into this new chapter, Morissette hopes audiences to see a different dimension of her artistry.

“I want people to take away that I love storytelling just as much as I am capable of hitting big notes,” she says candidly, acknowledging both her excitement and nerves. “This is very different from what I’m used to, but I’m willing to relearn the discipline of theater, especially with a material as beautiful as this.”

With Morissette as integral part of the production, “The Notebook: The Musical” is poised to be a landmark cultural event, one that brings together a globally celebrated story, a contemporary musical voice, and a defining Filipino artist in a production that promises to resonate deeply with audiences in Manila and beyond.

For more information, visit TGA’s website www.theatregroupasia.com, Instagram @theatregroupasia, or Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/theatregroupasia.