Sunday In The Park With George Revival Shelved After Ariana Grande And Jonathan Bailey Exits

Plans for a revival of the musical Sunday In The Park With George have been put on ice following the much-publicised departures of Wicked stars Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey from its cast.

Back in January, it was announced that Ariana and Jonathan would reunite in a new production of the Stephen Sondheim musical that was due to be shown at the Barbican theatre in London.

The new show was to be directed by Marianne Elliott, who previously enjoyed huge success with her revival of another Sondheim musical, Company, which earned Jonathan an Olivier win in 2019.

However, following the news that Ariana was taking a step back from “public visibility” at the end of her Eternal Sunshine tour, it was confirmed that this would include no longer performing in Sunday In The Park With George.

“Following this evening’s announcement from Ariana Grande’s team, Empire Street Productions can confirm that she has decided to step back from Sunday In The Park With George,” the production company said at the time. “We know this cannot have been an easy decision, and she makes it with our complete understanding and support. We wish her nothing but the best.

“The production will open at the Barbican in summer 2027 as planned, and casting will be announced in due course.”

However, weeks later, Jonathan also announced he was also withdrawing from the show.

“Ari is one of my dearest friends, and my support for her is unwavering,” he wrote on Instagram earlier this month. “After much consideration, I have decided to step back from Sunday In The Park with George.

“This brilliant, introspective musical has been a real passion project for me, and I feel incredibly lucky to have shared in its journey with this team. Among many things, the story explores the deep connection between George and Dot, a beautiful, devoted pairing, and I so look forward to seeing what the two actors who will now take on these roles will create with it.”

After hailing the show’s creative team, he specifically gave a shout-out to Marianne, who he called “extraordinary” and “one of my longest collaborators and friends”.

On Monday afternoon, it was subsequently confirmed that the show would not be going ahead in 2027 after all.

However, Empire Street Productions made it clear that while the revival “will no longer proceed as scheduled”, they will “retain the rights with a view to presenting the production in 2028”.

“Further details will be announced in due course,” they added.

Marianne is set to co-direct a revival of another Stephen Sondheim classic, West Side Story, at London’s National Theatre next year.

Ariana, meanwhile, will next appear in the comedy Focker-In-Law, and is expected to make a number of promotional appearances related to the film later this year.