{"id":322249,"date":"2026-11-06T07:38:10","date_gmt":"2026-11-06T07:38:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/322249\/"},"modified":"2026-11-06T07:38:10","modified_gmt":"2026-11-06T07:38:10","slug":"the-love-story-the-notebook-comes-to-life-as-a-musical","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/322249\/","title":{"rendered":"The love story \u2018The Notebook\u2019 comes to life as a musical"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The musical \u201cThe Notebook\u201d is based on the best-selling 1996 novel by Nicholas Sparks. [AP file photo]\n<\/p>\n

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Angela Birchett in \u201cThe Notebook,\u201d which will be at the Benedum Center starting Tuesday. [Teresa Castracane]\n<\/p>\n

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Pittsburgh-area native Jesse Corbin plays Lon in the touring production of \u201cThe Notebook,\u201d which will be at the Benedum Center Tuesday through Nov. 15. [Courtesy of Jesse Corbin]\n<\/p>\n

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Kyle Mangold, left, and Maken Jackson in \u201cThe Notebook.\u201d [Teresa Castracane]\n<\/p>\n

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When it comes to romance, there\u2019s a little bit of a dreamer in all of us, which helps explain why \u201cThe Notebook\u201d has struck such a chord with audiences, both young and old.<\/p>\n

The story, which evokes all the feels, began as a best-selling novel, later inspired a hit film and now springs to life as a musical that had a nine-month run on Broadway.<\/p>\n

The timeless love story in which the characters defy all odds is now a touring production and will be at the Benedum Center from Tuesday to Nov, 15 as part of the 2026-2027 PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh series.<\/p>\n

A serendipitous meeting<\/p>\n

Asmeret Ghebremichael, the production\u2019s associate director, grew up in Churchill near Swissvale and studied media, culture and communications at New York University. Her performance credits include \u201cThe Book of Mormon,\u201d \u201cLegally Blonde,\u201d \u201cElf: The Musical,\u201d \u201cWicked\u201d and more.<\/p>\n

During the development of \u201cThe Notebook,\u201d Ghebremichael met stage and theater director Michael Greif, who directed the Broadway production of \u201cThe Notebook,\u201d and whose approach to the creative process created quite an impression.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is a legend,\u201d Ghebremichael said. \u201cI fell in love with his process and wanted to do the same thing he was doing, so it opened a door for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her experience across Broadway, off-Broadway and television has helped her in her career.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel as if it makes me accessible and I can translate what the directors are doing into a language the actors can all understand,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Ghebremichael developed a love for musicals early on. She took trips to New York with her dance studio, performed in school musicals and plays and delved deep into the creative processes behind the performances.<\/p>\n

\u201cI studied choreographers and watched \u2018A Chorus Line\u2019 about a million times,\u201d she said with a chuckle.<\/p>\n

For those considering careers in directing or acting, Ghebremichael offers a simple piece of advice: follow your curiosity.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will lead you to your perfect profession,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The Benedum was his Broadway<\/p>\n

Jesse Corbin, another Pittsburgh-area native, is looking forward to returning to a venue he fell in love with years ago.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Benedum was my Broadway.,\u201d he said. \u201cI was mesmerized by the shows and would visit the library and borrow original Broadway cast recordings, imagining that I would grow up to be in them.\u201d<\/p>\n

In \u201cThe Notebook,\u201d Corbin plays Lon, Allie\u2019s wealthy fianc\u00e9. Lon can be viewed as an obstacle to Noah and Allie\u2019s romance, but Corbin views him as a man with his own feelings, motivations and merits.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a great guy and checks off all the boxes, which is what makes this story special\u2013a choice that makes sense isn\u2019t always the most fulfilling,\u201d Corbin said.<\/p>\n

The emotional weight of the story can sometimes carry over to the cast offstage, according to Corbin.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe try to cheer one another up and find moments of joy backstage and at intermission to maintain our sanity,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, the musical explores love, connection and the choices we make during the course of our lives.<\/p>\n

\u201cLife is made up of the bitter and the sweet and I have to admit that I was in one of the rehearsals bawling like a baby,\u201d Corbin said. \u201cI was so moved by the beauty of the love and commitment of the two characters.\u201d<\/p>\n

The final song, \u201cCoda\u201d, reflects on the lovers\u2019 journey and its lasting impact.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can see couples in the audience inching a little closer, dabbing a tear and reaching for their partner\u2019s arm,\u201d said Corbin.<\/p>\n

For Corbin, the musical is ultimately about community, connection and reflection. Experiencing the story alongside other audience members in a beautiful environment creates something that a film can\u2019t capture.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe show wraps you up in a warm, romantic hug,\u201d he said. \u201cGetting to watch a story told in real time by live actors adds an element to any story and is something a movie can\u2019t replicate,\u201d Corbin said.<\/p>\n

For information and showtimes, go online to trustarts.org.<\/p>\n


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