Sara Bareilles and Sarah Ruhl Collaborate on Musical Adaptation of ‘The Interestings’

Celebrated artist Sara Bareilles, known for her contribution to the musical ‘Waitress’ and ‘The SpongeBob Musical,’ is set to embark on a new creative journey. Bareilles is teaming up with acclaimed playwright Sarah Ruhl to adapt Meg Wolitzer’s novel ‘The Interestings’ into a musical.

‘The Interestings,’ published in 2013, explores the lives of six artistic individuals who met as teenagers at a summer camp during the 1970s. As they navigate their thirties in New York City, they reflect on their aspirations and the realities of their current lives, pondering the depth and fulfillment of their youthful dreams.

Bareilles expressed her deep connection with the novel, stating, “I wrote the first song for ‘The Interestings’ before I even finished the book. Meg Wolitzer’s extraordinary creation was an immediate dive into a world rich with humanity, adolescence, and introspection. Collaborating with the incredibly talented Sarah Ruhl to breathe musical life into this narrative has been an invigorating and creatively fulfilling journey.”

Ruhl, a distinguished playwright with accolades including a Tony Award nomination and two Pulitzer Prize finalist honors, shared her enthusiasm for the project. “Adapting Meg Wolitzer’s novel, a narrative that resonates with the essence of life and longing, alongside the immensely creative Sara Bareilles, is a dream project. The novel poses profound questions about personal growth, the value of life, and the complexity of friendships. It’s a story that is close to my heart, and I am eager for audiences to experience this tale of youth, nostalgia, and the journey of self-discovery,” said Ruhl.

The production, overseen by producer Matt Ross, has sparked anticipation within the theatrical community. Details regarding the timeline, casting, and additional creative team members for this adaptation are eagerly awaited by fans and industry professionals alike. As Bareilles and Ruhl merge their creative forces, ‘The Interestings’ is poised to become a compelling addition to the musical theatre landscape, offering a narrative that resonates with the intricacies of life and the artistry of human connections.

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