Marla Mindelle transformed repeated career disappointments into three Tony Award nominations for Titanique.
The actress, writer and producer spoke at the Waldorf Astoria Residences New York on May 30, 2026, days after nominations were announced on May 5. She received nods for Best Leading Actress in a Musical, Best Book of a Musical and Best Musical, becoming the first woman nominated for acting in a musical she also co-authored. Titanique earned four nominations total, including Featured Actor in a Musical for Layton Williams.
"I gave up on my dreams, but my dreams never gave up on me," said Marla Mindelle, actress, writer and producer. She had left Broadway after earlier credits to write for television, then partnered with Constantine Rousouli and Tye Blue to create the satirical musical centered on Celine Dion and the film Titanic.
Mindelle described the weeks after the nominations as overwhelming. "It's every emotion you can possibly imagine wrapped into one and then you get to perform on stage on top of that," she said. "Despite how crazy this all is, I don't want to let a second of it pass me by."
Her path included a featured role as Gabrielle in the 2013 Broadway revival of Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella. The new project placed her back onstage at the St. James Theatre in a production that blends power ballads with camp humor. The Tony Awards ceremony is scheduled for June 7, 2026.
Mindelle said the experience has reinforced her decision to keep creating original work rather than waiting for conventional opportunities. She noted that Titanique began as an intimate cabaret piece before expanding into a full Off-Broadway and eventual Broadway run.
