New Sara Bareillis musical THE INTERESTINGS to premiere at Berkeley in 2027; Michael Arden directing

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 2/11/26 at 3:17pm

Book by Meg Wolitzer and Sarah Ruhl, based on Wolitzer's novel

The Interestings follows six friends who bond over their shared dream of leading creative lives. From their first meeting as teenagers at a summer camp in the 1970s to decades later in New York City, that bond remains, but so much else has changed. Tracing their lives as they grow together and apart, The Interestings explores friendship, love, envy, class, art, money, and power—and how all of it can shift and tilt precipitously over the course of a life. 

Updated On: 2/11/26 at 03:17 PM

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 2/11/26 at 3:27pm

I’m so bored, hire another person. 

[Observation]

Posted: 2/11/26 at 3:29pm

BroadwayNYC2 said: "I’m so bored, hire another person."

Rumor is he's already blown passed the budget and investors are asking for more $.

(I feel I must note that this is a joke, given Arden's history) 

[Hey, Zelda!]

Posted: 2/11/26 at 3:33pm

From Playbill: 

"The Interestings could turn out to be Ruhl's first foray into musical theatre, though she previously adapted her Eurydice into a libretto for Matthew Aucoin's opera version of the work."

Already with the Face in the Crowd erasure. Also, Wonder at A.R.T. just happened, no?

Updated On: 2/11/26 at 03:33 PM

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 2/11/26 at 3:36pm

I read somewhere in these forums not too long ago questioning whether or not Arden is as good at putting together new musicals as he is with revivals. Those are the exact sentiments with Diane Paulus, who helmed Bareilles' first musical, Waitress. While that show has its fans, it also has its share of detractors. It should be interesting (pun intended) to see how this one fares.

Updated On: 2/11/26 at 03:36 PM

[RippedMan]

Posted: 2/11/26 at 7:14pm

Loved the book. Love the song "Enough" that she performed. Very excited for this. 

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 2/11/26 at 10:07pm

Great book - and enjoy Bareiillis but the rest gives us big pause.  The book writer and leadership do not seem right but rather "of the moment".

[bear882]

Posted: 2/11/26 at 11:03pm

All of you are welcome to complain or express reservations. The Interestings might be a disappointment. All I know, as a San Francisco-area theater person, is that getting a new Sara Bareilles musical  is a major coup for the Berkeley Rep. It will be the centerpiece of the season, a draw for season subscribers, and a source of some much-needed excitement about a new musical in the Bay Area. Rachel Chavkin has a new musical there this spring too. 

There aren’t new musicals for me to see on Broadway (almost). I might as well see them close to home.

[Observation]

Posted: 2/11/26 at 11:31pm

I’m not saying Arden doesn’t deserve the work, I’m just saying there have got to be many other directors who would do a fantastic job and could use the opportunity.  

[Ensemble1698878795]

Posted: 2/12/26 at 12:47am

Observation said: "I’m not saying Arden doesn’t deserve the work, I’m just saying there have got to be many other directors who would do a fantastic job and could use the opportunity. "

Theater is not about opportunities. It’s about which director won the last Tony or major hit at the box office. People forget it’s a business. I hear you, but his name gets investors interested next to hers. 

[macbeth]

Posted: 2/12/26 at 9:50am

Fantastic team! I think I'm going to have to take a trip for this one. 

[Observation]

Posted: 2/12/26 at 10:16am

Ensemble1698878795 said: "Observation said: "I’m not saying Arden doesn’t deserve the work, I’m just saying there have got to be many other directors who would do a fantastic job and could use the opportunity. "

Theater is not about opportunities. It’s about which director won the last Tony or major hit at the box office. People forget it’s a business. I hear you, but his name gets investors interested next to hers."

I understand, but it doesn't have to be that way. 

[Ke3]

Posted: 2/12/26 at 9:31pm

CoffeeBreak said: "Great book - and enjoy Bareiillis but the rest gives us big pause. The book writer and leadership do not seem right but rather "of the moment"."

I see it for Arden but I can’t imagine how Ruhl comes across as “of the moment.” I mean this with no offensive to a very great playwright but her last very notable work was Becky, Nurse of Salem which is nearly a decade old now. Her last Pulitzer nomination was nearly *two decades* ago. She’s not “of the moment” she’s just a well respected living writer. 

[bwayobsessed]

Posted: 2/12/26 at 10:15pm

Observation said: "Ensemble1698878795 said: "Observation said: "I’m not saying Arden doesn’t deserve the work, I’m just saying there have got to be many other directors who would do a fantastic job and could use the opportunity. "

Theater is not about opportunities. It’s about which director won the last Tony or major hit at the box office. People forget it’s a business. I hear you, but his name gets investors interested next to hers."

I understand, but it doesn't have to be that way."

How would it function otherwise?

[Hey, Zelda!]

Posted: 2/13/26 at 12:15am

"I understand, but it doesn't have to be that way."

How would it function otherwise?"

Insert that "It’s easier to imagine the end of the world than the end of capitalism" quote here.

Also, per Playbill, Meg Wolitzer, the original novelist, was joining Sarah Ruhl on book detail.

Updated On: 2/13/26 at 12:15 AM

[RippedMan]

Posted: 2/13/26 at 7:22pm

I think Ruhl, Bareilles, Arden... those names combined comes across as prestige theater. I'm curious to see how this all shapes up because I loved the book but I'm not quite sure I thought "musical," so I'm happy to see how this new version comes to life.

[Zeppie2022]

Posted: 2/17/26 at 8:40am

RippedMan said: "Loved the book. Love the song "Enough" that she performed. Very excited for this."

I love her music but "Enough" did nothing for me, maybe it will grow on me.