The planned London revival of Sunday in the Park with George has officially been called off after Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey left the production.
The Wicked costars had been due to reunite onstage next year for a new version of Stephen Sondheim’s musical at the Barbican in London.
Grande withdrew after choosing to “step back from visibility,” with Bailey announcing his own departure soon afterwards.
The show’s producers confirmed on Monday that the revival would therefore not be staged in 2027.
“The planned 2027 production of Sunday in the Park with George at the Barbican will no longer proceed as scheduled,” the statement reads. “Empire Street Productions will retain the rights with a view to presenting the production in 2028. Further details will be announced in due course.”
Grande and Bailey excited musical theatre audiences when they officially confirmed the casting speculation in January.
The Thank U, Next singer later revealed in August that she was leaving the role to take “a much-deserved break from public-facing work.”
An Empire Street Productions representative said at the time that Grande had their “complete understanding and support,” while insisting that the show would still begin in summer 2027 “as planned.”
Earlier this month, however, Bailey announced that he would also step away from the role of George.
“Ari is one of my dearest friends, and my support for her is unwavering. (Director) Marianne (Elliott) is extraordinary and one of my longest collaborators and friends,” Bailey said in a statement on social media. “After much consideration, I have decided to also step back from Sunday in the Park with George.”
“I wish the very best to the entire company. I will be cheering them on as they continue with this production.”
This is not the first London revival of Sunday in the Park with George to encounter delays. An earlier production featuring Jake Gyllenhaal and Annaleigh Ashford was postponed indefinitely because of the Covid 19 pandemic.
