When the 2024 Tony Award nominations were announced April 30, Broadway's The Notebook received multiple nods—for Bekah Brunstetter's book, and performances by lead actors Dorian Harewood and Maryann Plunkett. But singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson, who penned the music and lyrics, was not among the nominees. Michaelson shared a candid and heartfelt reaction via Instagram stories later in the day.
"Congratulations to all the composers who put their whole selves into these scores. And to all who received Tony nominations today. It is monumental!" Michaelson wrote. "I'm gonna say the thing you're not supposed to say but I'm pretty sad to not see my name there. There is a certain level of embarrassment and shame that 'not getting picked' brings into me. Probably from some childhood shit. But I remain incredibly proud of [the] @notebookmusical score and of all the folks who helped it come to life. So congratulations to me too. For making art. For trying. For finding my inner child and comforting her and telling her 'you ARE worthy.' Congratulations to EVERYONE making art because it's the one thing we were made to do. We are all worthy."
Michaelson also shared a photo of the nominees for Best Original Score, including Adam Guettel for Days of Wine and Roses, David Byrne and Fatboy Slim for Here Lies Love, Jamestown Revival (Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance) and Justin Levine for THe Outsiders, Will Butler for Stereophonic, and Shaina Taub for Suffs (with a shoutout to Taub: "Take over the world," Michaelson wrote).
WATCH: Ingrid Michaelson Performs 'If This Is Love' From The Notebook Musical
The Notebook, based on the best-selling Nicholas Sparks novel, officially opened March 14 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. Read the reviews here.
The cast features Jordan Tyson as Younger Allie, Joy Woods as Middle Allie and Tony winner Plunkett as Older Allie, with John Cardoza as Younger Noah, Ryan Vasquez as Middle Noah, and Dorian Harewood as Older Noah.
The cast also includes Andréa Burns as Mother and Nurse Lori, Yassmin Alers as Nurse Joanna, Chase Del Rey as Lon, Hillary Fisher as Sarah, Dorcas Leung as Georgie, Carson Stewart as Johnny and Fin, and Charles E. Wallace as Father and Son. Rounding at the company as swings are Alex Benoit, Jerome Harmann-Hardeman, Happy McPartlin, Juliette Ojeda, Kim Onah, and Charlie Webb.
The core creative team members from the Chicago Shakespeare Theater world premiere returned for the Broadway production—with co-direction by Michael Greif (Dear Evan Hansen, Rent) and Schele Williams (Aida, Motown the Musical) and choreography by Katie Spelman.
The new musical also has scenic design by David Zinn and Brett J. Banakis, costume design by Paloma Young, lighting design by Ben Stanton, sound design by Nevin Steinberg, projection design by Lucy Mackinnon, and hair and wig design by Mia Neal. The production’s music supervisor is Carmel Dean, who collaborated on arrangements with Michaelson and on orchestrations with John Clancy. Geoffrey Ko is music director. Casting is by The Telsey Office's Patrick Goodwin, which Chicago casting by Bob Mason. Victoria Navarro is production stage manager.
Joy Woods and Ryan Vasquez in The Notebook
Joy Woods in The Notebook
Maryann Plunkett and Dorian Harewood in The Notebook
Maryann Plunkett, Joy Woods, and Jordan Tyson in The Notebook
John Cardoza, Dorian Harewood, and Ryan Vasquez in The Notebook
Jordan Tyson and John Cardoza in The Notebook
