Sara Bareilles, the acclaimed singer-songwriter and composer behind the Tony-nominated musical Waitress, has embarked on a new creative endeavor: adapting Meg Wolitzer’s 2013 novel, The Interestings, into a musical. Bareilles, captivated by the novel’s vibrant world and complex characters, found the story resonated deeply with her own experiences. While both Waitress and The Interestings explore themes of ambition and the distance between one’s younger self and present reality, Bareilles notes a key difference: The Interestings delves into the lives of "hyper-intellectual" New York artists, a stark contrast to the small-town setting of Waitress. This distinction, she explains, is reflected in the music she is composing for the adaptation. Collaborating with Pulitzer Prize finalist playwright Sarah Ruhl, who is writing the book for the musical, Bareilles faces the formidable task of condensing a 560-page novel into a stage production.
The central challenge of adapting The Interestings lies in distilling the essence of a lengthy and intricate novel into a manageable theatrical experience. Bareilles emphasizes that the goal isn’t to create a sprawling, six-hour production, but rather to capture the most compelling aspects of the story while acknowledging that the musical can’t encompass the entirety of the novel’s richness. She encourages audiences to read the book regardless of their experience with the musical, recognizing its unique literary value. The Interestings chronicles the lives of a group of friends who first meet at an arts camp in 1974. The narrative revolves around Jules, a character who grapples with feelings of inadequacy compared to her peers, particularly her friends Ash and Ethan. These insecurities persist into adulthood, as Jules romanticizes their seemingly perfect lives.
Bareilles felt a profound connection to the characters in The Interestings, especially Jules, whose struggles resonated with her own. She identifies with Jules’ "Peter Pan syndrome," a phenomenon often depicted in male characters but less frequently explored in female characters. This struggle to relinquish the ambitions and hopes of one’s younger self is a recurring theme in Bareilles’ work, including Waitress. Jules’ yearning for an idealized life impacts her relationship with her husband, Dennis, who questions whether he can ever truly fulfill her desires. This conflict inspired Bareilles to write "Enough," a poignant song from Dennis’ perspective, which she composed even before finishing the novel. The song explores themes of childhood, growing up, contentment, and the elusive nature of "enough."
While Bareilles’ primary role in The Interestings is as composer, the possibility of her joining the cast remains open. Although she didn’t originate the lead role in Waitress, she later took on the part in both Broadway and West End productions. For now, however, she is focused on composing the music and shaping the overall structure of the musical. She does, however, express her enthusiasm for the prospect of returning to the stage. Audiences had a preview of her work on The Interestings when Bareilles performed "Enough" during a series of concerts at The Kennedy Center. These performances, accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra, were filmed for a PBS special titled Sara Bareilles: New Year’s Eve With the National Symphony Orchestra & Friends.
The Kennedy Center performances offered a unique opportunity for Bareilles’ fans to experience her music in a new light, orchestrated for a full symphony. The program, which includes special guests Rufus Wainwright, Emily King, and David Ryan Harris, spans Bareilles’ career, featuring both well-known hits and lesser-known gems, along with selections from Waitress. This musical journey reflects the breadth and depth of Bareilles’ songwriting and her ability to connect with audiences through deeply personal and relatable themes. Alongside her work on The Interestings, Bareilles is also immersed in creating her seventh studio album. This new project draws inspiration from recent experiences with grief, particularly the loss of her friend Gavin Creel.
Bareilles’ upcoming album will delve into the complex emotions of grief and loss, themes that have deeply impacted her in recent years. While she acknowledges the album will explore these difficult subjects, she assures fans it won’t be entirely somber. She believes in the importance of confronting uncomfortable emotions and processing them authentically, a perspective reflected in her songwriting. This new album represents a departure from her previous work, both in its thematic focus and its less formulaic approach. It marks a new chapter in Bareilles’ artistic journey, one that promises to be both vulnerable and deeply resonant. The PBS special Sara Bareilles: New Year’s Eve With the National Symphony Orchestra & Friends aired on December 31, offering a glimpse into her musical evolution and a taste of what’s to come.
