Sara Bareilles on The Interestings

Quick Answer:

Sara Bareilles discusses how Meg Wolitzer’s novel The Interestings influenced her creative work and her adaptation of the book into a stage musical. She connects the novel’s themes of ambition, grief, and mortality with her own experiences, including anxiety, fertility, and the creation of her album Good Grief. 

What happens when a Grammy-winning artist encounters a novel that unlocks an entirely new creative language? For Sara Bareilles, reading Meg Wolitzer’s The Interestings sparked a new creative direction. The novel inspired her next major stage adaptation.

In this conversation, Bareilles explores artistic purpose and grief. She also reflects on the quiet power of being present.

Introduction

When Sara Bareilles joined the host in the studio, she brought the perspective of a seasoned creator who has mastered both pop stardom and theatrical storytelling. Best known for her hit single "Brave" and her Tony-nominated score for the Broadway smash Waitress, Bareilles has spent decades turning raw vulnerability into universal art.

Yet, ten years after her musical theater debut, she was still waiting for a story that truly lit up her creative instincts. Finding Meg Wolitzer’s 2013 novel The Interestings opened an unexpected portal, sparking a brand-new musical adaptation and helping her navigate profound personal loss.

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About the Book

Meg Wolitzer’s The Interestings is a sweeping novel that spans four decades in the lives of six friends who meet at an arts summer camp in the 1970s. The narrative follows them from their youthful ideals into adulthood, examining how talent, money, class, and luck shape their individual destinies.

Centering on Jules Jacobson—an outsider longing to be exceptional—the story explores the painful distance between who we hope to become and who we actually are. It remains a landmark work on the nature of creative ambition and lifelong friendship.

The Discovery and the Stage Adaptation

A decade after adapting the film Waitress into a hit Broadway musical, Bareilles was actively seeking her next theatrical project. Though sent numerous books and screenplays, nothing resonated until she picked up The Interestings.

Reading Wolitzer's work lit an immediate creative spark, opening up a portal to write a style of music she had never composed before. Today, she is actively composing the full score for the official stage musical adaptation alongside Wolitzer and a theatrical director.

Navigating Grief, Lexapro, and Inner Sensitivity

Beyond its professional impact, the novel deeply mirrored Bareilles's personal internal life. Having struggled with anxiety, bouts of depression, and intense empathy since childhood, she found comfort in Wolitzer's honest depiction of human flaws.

Navigating Internal & Artistic Growth:

Bareilles openly shared how getting prescribed Lexapro served as a major lightbulb moment for managing her mental health at age 46. She noted that embracing mortality and grief allows a person to inhabit the present moment fully rather than dwelling on an uncertain future.

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Character Encounters: Jules and the Meaning of "Enough"

Among the ensemble of characters—including animation genius Ethan and radiant Ash—Bareilles relates most strongly to Jules Jacobson. Jules embodies the painful longing to be "interesting" while wrestling with self-doubt, envy, and awkwardness.

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Character Trajectory in The Interestings:
Rather than viewing Jules's eventual pivot from acting to becoming a therapist as a total failure, Bareilles views it as a courageous step toward self-acceptance. It underlines the realization that simply existing is inherently enough.

Processing Infertility and Good Grief

Reflecting on moments when individuals must lay down a cherished dream, Bareilles shared her ongoing journey with infertility. Facing doctor visits and treatments without a clear outcome taught her profound lessons about surrender, grief, and self-grace.

The Evolution of Good Grief:

These real-world challenges heavily inspired her album, Good Grief. Recorded across upstate New York at Dreamland Studios, the album channels loss—from lost friends to shattered expectations—into a hopeful, transformative musical statement.

Key Insights

• Presence Over Control: Accepting mortality and the unpredictable nature of life liberates us to engage fully with the present moment.

• Unique and Ordinary Medicine: True self-worth comes from recognizing that simply being who you are is inherently valuable, without needing to constantly prove you are "special".

• Grief is Braided with Love: Experiencing deep loss is an inevitable part of loving deeply, and processing that pain can lead to profound artistic and personal growth.

"Great love and great loss are just... they're braided together. But they are. They are one."

Reflection & Call to Action

Sara Bareilles’s reflections remind us that true creative fulfillment isn't about avoiding life's friction, but leaning into it with honesty, humor, and grace. 

For a similar look at how artists reframe pressure and overcome performance anxiety, explore our discussion on Michael Blaustein's journey with Inner Excellence. 

To listen to this complete conversation, check out our full archive on the Books That Changed My Life main website, listen on Spotify, or explore past episodes on the official podcast directory.

About the Guest

Sara Bareilles is a Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and actress who achieved mainstream success with hits like "Love Song" and "Brave." She earned Tony and Grammy nominations for composing the score for the Broadway musical Waitress and starred in the critically acclaimed series Girls5eva.

FAQ Section

Q: Which book inspired Sara Bareilles's upcoming stage musical?

A: Meg Wolitzer's 2013 novel, The Interestings, which Bareilles is actively adapting into a stage musical.

Q: Which character in The Interestings does Sara Bareilles relate to the most?

A: Bareilles relates most to Jules Jacobson, admiring her raw combination of awkwardness, humor, insecurity, and desire to be interesting.

Q: What is the title of Sara Bareilles's album exploring personal loss?

A: Her album is titled Good Grief, recorded primarily at Dreamland Studios in upstate New York.

Q: What advice does Sara Bareilles give regarding backup plans for artists?

A: She encourages creators to pay their bills through odd jobs while continuing to pursue the art they love, rather than abandoning their passion.

Final Thoughts

At its core, The Interestings demonstrates that life rarely unfolds according to our youthful scripts. As Sara Bareilles shows through her music and theater work, true art often begins with acceptance. It grows when we embrace our flaws, make peace with loss, and stay open to new ideas.

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