Kyle Mangold and Joe Verga both grew up in Newtown and had a shared passion for theater. Growing up, they hung out on the weekends, auditioned for shows, and performed together. Then an opportunity of a lifetime presented itself to the two men.

They both auditioned for roles in The Notebook, which is currently off-Broadway and touring the entire nation coast to coast. After the auditions were all said and done, not one, but both of these former Newtowners were cast in the show.

Mangold plays “Younger Noah,” the young version of the male protagonist of the show, while Verga is a “swing” for four parts, including “Middle Noah,” “Finn,” “Lon,” and “father/son track.” A “swing” is what most people would know as an understudy, but in Broadway shows, it is a little different.

“It’s such a different yet fulfilling process. My whole career, I’ve only been on-stage, and while I will definitely be on stage a bunch this year, you’re watching the show during the rehearsals, you’re taking notes during performances. You’re sitting with the audience, like knowing that you’re part of this cast but almost cosplaying as an audience member, which is fun and unique,” Verga shared.

Mangold said his role in the show “is so much fun.” He expanded on that thought, saying that the story encompasses “all the stages of life and love” and he enjoys portraying the young version of that.

The tour already started in Cleveland, Ohio on September 6, and will run through August 30 next year. The next stop on the tour is somewhere both Mangold and Verga hold near and dear to their hearts.

“It’s been super exciting this whole time knowing that our second stop on tour is Hartford. That’s like such a full circle moment for both Joe and I, and it’s gonna be incredible to get to play so close to our hometown and to have all of our family and friends there,” Mangold said. He then shared with a laugh that he thinks his mother bought 40 tickets for the opening night. The musical will be showing at The Bushnel in Hartford from September 30-October 5.

Verga said the show is “really special,” but did not want give away any spoilers. He shared that his favorite part, however, is when Middle Noah reconnects with Middle Allie. He pointed out that it was not just because he is a swing for Middle Noah, but because the emotion in the rekindling of the relationship is “powerful and palpable.”

Mangold’s favorite part is how the three different ages of Noah and Allie are represented, “There’s a lot of beautiful moments where the harmonies between the younger, middle, and older versions of ourselves are singing these beautiful songs together and really connecting … I love those moments.”

Touring With A BFF

As mentioned, Verga and Mangold not only grew up together in Newtown, they were very close friends.

“Me and Kyle have been really, really, really good friends since I was 13 years old,” Verga explained. “He was there when I said my first swear word, we’ve vacationed together, he was the reason I had heard of Shenandoah.”

Both Verga and Mangold expressed shock and surprise that the two are now on this same national tour for the same musical. They both said that the chances of this happening are “slim to none,” but are thrilled to be performing together once again.

“The fact that we booked it together is really, really rare and ridiculous to think about. This truly feels like a once in a lifetime thing that’s happened and I’m so excited that we have each other’s backs on this tour. It was exciting to know I’d be traveling the country, but knowing I’m traveling the country with one of my best friends is really incredible,” Mangold said.

Verga added to this, “Our parents freaked out! We freaked out! It was one of those things that you don’t ever hear about really in our world … This cast and crew, they already really do feel like family, but just to have had a person that’s been in my life for literally half of my life going into it was huge.”

Verga expressed his gratitude for having the theatrical experiences he did in Newtown, such as Sabrina’s Encore Productions, which Mangold also was a part of, and Newtown High School’s theater program. He said that the programs he was a part of set him up for success, and he is grateful for all of his teachers and advisors who supported him throughout the years.

Mangold echoed that, saying that many talented people have come out of Newtown who are proud to be from Newtown; Verga and Mangold are two more to add to that list.

“I got so much wonderful training there, it’s just very special to be bringing [The Notebook] so close to home,” Mangold said. He added, “This story comes directly from Newtown because we grew up there together and we love Newtown and we’re going out there and sharing what we grew up with the rest of the world, sharing the friendship we built there with this country through this story. There’s so much kindness, there’s so much love in Newtown, and this show is a celebration of love and kindness.”

Verga said, “[Newtown] was such a wonderful place to grow up … It will always be home.”

The Notebook-The Musical will be at The Bushnell Performing Arts Center in Hartford Tuesday, September 30, through Sunday, October 5. Evening performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 pm; and Sunday at 6:30 pm. Matinees are scheduled for Saturday at 2 pm and Sunday at 1. The Notebook runs 2 hours, 15 minutes, with a 15-minute intermission.

The show is recommended for ages 10 and up. Two hours prior to each performance the theater will host fall celebrations in the courtyard. Ticket-holders are invited to enjoy Pumpkin Tic-Tac-Toe, cornhole, prizes, and light refreshments.

A Talkback is scheduled following the Friday, October 3 performance.

Additional information and tickets are available for all shows through Bushnell.org or by calling 860-987-5900.

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Reporter Sam Cross can be reached at sam@thebee.com.