‘Sunday in the Park With George’ Revival Scrapped After Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey Exit

The West End revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park With George has been scrapped after Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey both exited the production.

“The planned 2027 production of Sunday in the Park With George at the Barbican will no longer proceed as scheduled,” said producers Empire Street Productions in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter on Monday, adding that the team “will retain the rights with a view to presenting the production in 2028. Further details will be announced in due course,” the post added.

Wicked co-stars Grande and Bailey had the theater world abuzz when they confirmed the revival would take place, both of them at the helm, next summer in London. But things started to go wrong when Grande pulled out as part of her larger decision to “step back from visibility” following the end of her recent tour, amid public scrutiny over her health and body.

“Following this evening’s announcement from Ariana Grande’s team, we can confirm that she has decided to step back from Sunday in the Park With George,” Empire Street Productions shared in a statement at the time. “We know this cannot have been an easy decision, and she makes it with our complete understanding and support. The production will open at the Barbican in summer 2027 as planned, and casting will be announced in due course.”

Then, just earlier this month, Bailey also withdrew. “Ari is one of my dearest friends, and my support for her is unwavering. Marianne is extraordinary and one of my longest collaborators and friends,” the Jurassic World Rebirth star said in a statement on social media. “After much consideration, I have decided to also step back from ‘Sunday in the Park with George.’”

The production was initially set to be directed by Marianne Elliott.