What is it about love stories that keeps us coming back? Maybe it’s how they mirror our own experiences — messy, beautiful, unforgettable.
For Ingrid Michaelson, as she was adapting The Notebook into a Broadway musical, it was the opportunity to revisit some of these universal feelings, to explore love in all its forms, and to create something that resonates on a deeply human level. So she approached the project with a focus on artistry and connection, as she crafted original music and lyrics to bring new life to this iconic tale.
Now, as the Grammy-nominated musical continues its North American tour that launched in September of 2025, The Notebook and its new songs are reaching audiences in a whole new way. In this interview, Ingrid shares what drew her to the project, the creative process behind the adaptation, and the emotional truths she hopes to capture on stage.
Ingrid Michaelson is a singer-songwriter who has released nine studio albums with Cabin 24 Records, a label she founded. Her ninth studio album, “For the Dreamers,” was released in August of 2024; photography by Michelle Shiers.
Ingrid and music supervisor Carmel Dean during an early workshop of The Notebook; photography courtesy of Ingrid Michaelson.
What inspired you to take on the challenge of writing music and lyrics for a musical, especially one with an iconic story like The Notebook?
When I was asked to write the music and lyrics for The Notebook, there was no doubt in my mind that the answer would be yes. I loved the movie and the story and knew that my specific skills as a songwriter would align perfectly with it. The “iconic” part didn’t really phase me. I just loved the story so much I knew I had to do it.
The process of adaptation often involves making creative choices about what to include and what to leave out. How did you decide which elements of the original story to emphasize in the musical?
Those were very collaborative decisions made between myself and Bekah (Brunstetter), Michael (Greif), and Schele (Williams). We wanted to protect the core story but to create our own world around that so that the musical lived in its own space.
What’s one essential element in your creative process?
Being alone with my piano in a quiet room. Sometimes you need to make decisions and work with lots going on around you, but for me to truly succeed, I need isolation. Or at least moments of isolation.
Can you describe the emotional journey you hope the audience will experience while watching The Notebook musical?
I hope that people walk away with a feeling of what it is to be human. The good and the bad but mostly the good. The love.
Sometimes you need to make decisions and work with lots going on around you, but for me to truly succeed, I need isolation. Or at least moments of isolation.
Is there one song that comes to mind when you think of love and loss?
The theme song to Up. Those first 10 minutes are so packed with love and loss, and the score perfectly keeps you going. Keeps the hope going somehow.
I hope that people walk away with a feeling of what it is to be human. The good and the bad, but mostly the good. The love.
