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A planned West End revival of Stephen Sondheim’s “Sunday in the Park With George” has been canceled following the departures of its two leads. The 2027 production at the Barbican was set to star pop singer Ariana Grande and actor Jonathan Bailey, who had previously worked together on the “Wicked” film adaptations. Empire Street Productions, which holds the rights to the musical, confirmed the cancellation, noting that ticket sales had been delayed twice before the final decision was made.
Grande’s exit came first when her representative announced in August that the artist would be stepping away from public-facing work and performances. The decision followed the release of her album “Petal” and her Eternal Sunshine Tour, during which concerns about her health and well-being surfaced amid intense public scrutiny. Bailey announced his own departure approximately one month later, expressing his continued support for Grande while acknowledging his passion for the project and wishing success to whichever actors would eventually take on the roles.
Despite the setback, Empire Street Productions has indicated plans to mount a new production in 2028, as they maintain ownership of the rights to the Stephen Sondheim classic. The company had previously announced they were actively recruiting replacement cast members for the original 2027 timeline. The musical, which centers on painter Georges Seurat and his relationship with his muse, won the 1985 Pulitzer Prize for Drama in its original 1984 Broadway run.
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Originally reported by Rollingstone →
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