This is a new year. A new beginning. And things will change.

I still have mixed feelings about what growing up is - this thing that happens to everyone, so I've heard.

When I was growing up in Pennsylvania, auditioning for Broadway was my dream.

I've never thought about songwriting as a weapon. I've only thought about it as a way to help me get through love and loss and sadness and loneliness and growing up.

I think with '10 Things I Hate About You,' I was an angsty teenager, and in some ways, I responded to that character. That was one of my first big jobs, so I think maybe I lucked out, and casting thought that I was a good match for it. Since then, as I've gotten older, I'm a much more happy, joyful, almost carefree person.

The most astonishing joy is to receive from the muses the gift of a whole lyric.

There is no happiness outside of ourselves.

Although one may fail to find happiness in theatrical life, one never wishes to give it up after having once tasted its fruits.