Sara Bareilles teases her first musical since Waitress – and why her new writing is about grief

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It’s startling how fast seven years can pass. Reflecting on this is definitely brought home when you talk to someone like Sara Bareilles, the creator of the musical Waitress, especially when the conversation naturally turns to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bareilles described her time performing the show in London as a dream come true. Having written and starred in both the Broadway and West End productions, she shared that she lived in a small apartment in Covent Garden and loved working alongside her castmates and close friend. She felt as though she was living outside of herself, completely immersed in the experience.

What I loved about London was experiencing its incredible reach and the international passion for theatre. It was special knowing people from all corners of the globe came to the West End to see our show.

“Then COVID happened and the world went to hell… so we didn’t have a strong finish.”

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the musical Waitress first debuted in London’s West End in 2019 and has continued to be popular. It’s now on its second UK tour, featuring Carrie Hope Fletcher and Les Dennis as leading cast members.

I’m totally hooked on this show! It’s about Jenna, a really sweet pie-maker who’s stuck in a pretty unhappy marriage. She’s dreaming of a way out, and when she hears about a baking contest in another town, she sees it as her chance to finally do something for herself. It’s just a really uplifting story!

Based on the popular 2007 movie, this show resonates with theatergoers because of its heartwarming depiction of female friendship. Sara Bareilles has described celebrating those bonds as a powerfully feminist statement when it first came out.

The film tackles some heavy themes, but it really shines a light on the power of female friendship. Ultimately, it’s not a story about a woman being rescued by a romantic partner; she saves herself through her own strength and with the help of her friends. That was a particularly unique message for audiences when the film was released.

She explained the importance of friendship, saying it’s just as significant as romantic love. We often focus on love through stories and songs, but friendships can be just as deep, complex, and meaningful – perhaps even more so than romantic relationships.

Sara Bareilles fondly remembers her time performing in Waitress with her friend, Gavin Creel, who passed away in 2024. She described Gavin as a very social person who always brought the cast together during show breaks, often hosting informal gatherings and creating a strong sense of community among them.

The artist is now focusing on expressing her sadness through her music. She’s working on her seventh album, and recently shared a preview of the first song with fans in March. Called “Home,” the song was inspired by a moving conversation about loss and the power of stories between Stephen Colbert and Anderson Cooper.

As I understand it, this project really began taking shape at the start of the pandemic. It was the beginning of what turned out to be a pretty tough few years, and these songs started as a way to process everything that was happening.

That experience really changed me. I’ve dealt with the heartbreaking loss of two close friends to cancer, a few years apart, and I’ve also been trying to have a child. It’s been a lot to handle.

Honestly, as a fan, it really hits me how sad she is about what’s happening with America and the image we’re projecting right now. She’s poured all those feelings – that grief – into this new music, and it really comes through.

Many songs explore difficult experiences, but also offer hope. The song ‘Home’ was inspired by a touching conversation about loss I heard on Anderson Cooper’s podcast. He creates a safe space for his guests to openly share their grief, and it’s incredibly brave and moving. I believe many people are currently dealing with a lot of unresolved sadness, and sharing these stories can be a powerful way to cope.

In addition to her new album, fans of musical theatre are excited for Sara Bareilles’ upcoming musical, The Interestings, which will premiere in the US in 2027. The musical is based on Meg Wolitzer’s popular 2013 novel of the same name and tells the story of a group of friends as they navigate life from their teenage years in the 1970s through adulthood. Bareilles has said she started writing music for the show even before she finished reading the book.

The story follows a small group of kids who meet at summer arts camp and develop feelings for each other. It then shows how their relationships evolve as they get older.

This story beautifully captures the messy, complicated experience of growing up – all the joys, heartbreaks, jealousies, and losses that come with it. It’s a truly expansive and moving novel, and one of the funniest and most touching books I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. I absolutely loved working on bringing it to life.

I recently heard from fans hoping Sara Bareilles’ new show, The Interestings, will make its way to the UK, especially those who adored Waitress. While there’s no confirmation yet, there’s still a glimmer of hope! And honestly, Bareilles herself put it best: if you’re looking for a fantastic night out, you can’t go wrong with Waitress – it’s that good!

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by how difficult the world can be, but it’s also a place where we can find reminders of goodness. Hope, strength, connection, and moments of happiness are still all around us.

“So you can come to see waitress, and remember what is very easy to forget right now.”

Authors

Olivia Garrett
Perry O’Bree

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2026-04-10 14:05