NJ Singer Transforms Wedding Heartbreak into Musical Debut

Noelle Salvati, a singer-songwriter from New Jersey, is turning a personal tragedy into a creative triumph. After her fiancé unexpectedly called off their wedding just a month before the big day, Salvati channeled her heartbreak into a musical titled “Swipe Right: A New Musical.” The show is set to debut on what would have been her wedding date, **October 1, 2023**, at the Triad Theater on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

Reflecting on the painful moment her wedding was canceled, Salvati recalls the day vividly. “I was at my final dress fitting, coming back from Kleinfeld with my best friend. I walked into my apartment and realized, ‘Oh, I haven’t heard from my fiancé,’” she shared. Upon trying to contact him, she discovered his phone number was no longer in service. Shortly after, she received an email stating, “I’m calling things off on my side. I recommend you do the same.”

The abrupt end to her engagement left Salvati devastated. She described the emotional turmoil she faced when returning to the apartment they had shared. “I remember dropping to my knees. I was broken. I had a really, really hard time putting myself back together again,” she admitted. The lack of closure made the experience even more challenging for her.

Salvati found inspiration through her post-breakup experiences, leading her to create “Swipe Right.” The musical features songs reflecting her dating life after the split, including titles such as “Ghosted” and “Coward.” Her journey into online dating began after her breakup in **2011** when she started sharing her humorous and occasionally disastrous stories with her friend, **Michael Attanasio**, who later became the show’s writer.

At one point, Attanasio noted, “Noelle was singing about a date that had gone badly, and I was like, ‘That’s really funny. Maybe we could do something talking about the ridiculousness of online dating.’” This collaborative spirit has been a cornerstone in developing the musical’s narrative.

As Salvati continues her search for love, she has crafted songs that illustrate her experiences with various suitors encountered through Tinder and Bumble, including a track titled “Cross Him Off the List.” She recounted a bizarre date with a man who, while claiming to be in the process of getting divorced, revealed that his ex-wife still lived with him as a roommate. “After this nonchalant remark, he told me that his ex-wife was still living with him,” she said, highlighting the awkwardness of the situation.

In addition to the songs, the performance includes humorous anecdotes from the cast about their own dating disasters. One notable story involves a woman who was taken aback when her date casually asked, “Have you ever thought about what it would be like to ethically source human meat?” The shocked response led to an unsettling conversation about the man’s cannibalistic curiosity.

As the premiere of “Swipe Right” approaches, Salvati hopes to connect with audiences who have experienced similar heartaches and dating mishaps. The musical aims to strike a balance between humor and the poignant realities of modern relationships, showcasing how personal challenges can inspire creativity.

With the debut just around the corner, Salvati invites everyone to witness her journey of healing and resilience through music. The show encapsulates the spirit of moving forward, turning heartbreak into art.