Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey: Their London musical canceled for 2027
The Barbican announced that the revival of "Sunday in the Park with George" will no longer take place as planned, following the withdrawal of its two stars.
The London revival of “Sunday in the Park with George,” which was set to feature Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey in 2027, has been canceled in its planned form. The Barbican officially announced the decision on Monday, September 14, 2026, following the successive withdrawals of its two lead stars.
The show was scheduled to be presented in the summer of 2027 at the Barbican Centre in London, directed by Marianne Elliott. Empire Street Productions had initially announced its intention to continue the project with a new cast, but the production will ultimately not take place according to this timeline.
Ariana Grande, who was set to portray Dot, left the project in August. The singer and actress explained that she wanted to reduce her public presence following her “Eternal Sunshine” tour, citing the pressure and ongoing comments about her appearance and health.
Jonathan Bailey, who was to play George, also withdrew at the beginning of September. The “Bridgerton” actor and Ariana Grande’s partner in “Wicked” expressed his support for the singer and thanked the production team.
Created on Broadway in 1984, the musical by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine is inspired by painter Georges Seurat and his painting “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.” The work won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1985.
Empire Street Productions will retain the rights to the show and is now considering a presentation in 2028. The Barbican notes that information regarding a potential new cast and new dates will be communicated later.
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