The planned 2027 production of Sunday in the Park with George at the Barbican has been cancelled after Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey pulled out.
Tickets were due to go on sale this month in what was expected to be one of London’s most expensive theatrical productions ever, but bosses were left scrambling when both stars withdrew from the upcoming West End revival.
In an official statement, the organisers announced: ‘The planned production of Sunday in the Park with George at the Barbican will no longer proceed as scheduled.
Empire Street Productions will retain the rights with a view to presenting the production in 2028. Further details will be announced when appropriate.’
Ariana exited the production in August because she wanted to step back from public visibility after finishing her tour.
Jonathan, meanwhile, announced his withdrawal earlier this month and stepped down from playing artist George Seurat to support Grande, whom he said he considers a dear friend.
The planned 2027 production of Sunday in the Park with George at the Barbican has been cancelled after Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey pulled out
He wrote on Instagram: ‘Ari is one of my dearest friends, and my support for her is unwavering.
‘Marianne [the production’s director] is extraordinary and one of my longest collaborators and friends. 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.
‘I wish the very best to the entire company, I will be cheering them on as they continue with this production. Jonny x’
A statement from the producers of Sunday In The Park With George read: ‘Following Ariana Grande’s withdrawal, Jonathan Bailey has informed the producers that he has also decided to withdraw from Sunday in the Park with George.
‘Work on the production continues. Casting discussions are actively under way, and the creative team is reshaping the production around a new company while preserving the ambition and artistic integrity of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s musical.
‘Further casting and production details will be announced in due course.’
The Daily Mail previously revealed how theatre bosses were left in a ‘terrible mess’ after Ariana pulled out.
Her casting had been a major coup for producers – and a triumph for the London venue.
Ariana and Jonathan were, of course, two stars of the Wicked films, by far the most successful cinematic adaptations of Broadway musicals ever, grossing more than $750million at the box office and garnering ten Oscar nominations (including one for Grande as Best Supporting Actress).
Yet, Empire Street Productions, the company producing Sunday at the Park with George, was told that Grande was quitting the production less than an hour before her team released their own statement. This meant that the Barbican had to scramble to get ahead of the story.
One source connected to the production told the Daily Mail that Grande’s decision was ‘mind-bending’, adding: ‘It all unfolded rapidly after the release of her music video sparked more backlash about her appearance.
‘There have been ongoing discussions [about the production] because there was a lot of [online discussion] around Ariana, but she was excited to do this show and rehearsals don’t start until 2027.
‘The Barbican was informed at 8pm on Sunday. It was all very sudden and has left them in a terrible mess. It is their most expensive theatrical project ever, and all involved are absolutely gutted. They feel for Ariana… There were promotion plans in place, with magazine covers lined up. But in any theatre production, you have to consider something like this could happen.’
Publicly, the show’s producers said: ‘We know this cannot have been an easy decision, and [Ariana] makes it with our complete understanding and support. We wish her nothing but the best.’ They added that the production will open as planned next summer, with tickets going on sale next month.’
