London musical cancelled after Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey pull out

The highly anticipated London revival of Stephen Sondheim's Sunday in the Park With George at the Barbican has been officially cancelled following the departure of lead stars Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey.

The stage production was set to reunite the Wicked co-stars under the direction of Marianne Elliott. However, the production company, Empire Street Productions, confirmed on Monday that the show will no longer go ahead as planned, despite earlier assertions that staging would continue.

Postponed Until 2028

While the show will not run during its intended slot, organizers confirmed that the project has not been permanently scrapped.

"The planned 2027 production of Sunday in the Park with George at the Barbican will no longer proceed as scheduled," Empire Street Productions said in an official statement. "Empire Street Productions will retain the rights with a view to presenting the production in 2028. Further details will be announced in due course."

The original 1984 Broadway musical, crafted by Sondheim and playwright James Lapine, draws inspiration from French pointillist painter Georges Seurat’s masterpiece A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte. The story follows a fictionalized version of Seurat as he becomes deeply consumed by his artistic process.

High-Profile Cast Withdrawals

Grande was the first to step down from the production, linking her departure to a broader hiatus from public life following the conclusion of her Eternal Sunshine Tour. A representative for the singer cited intense public scrutiny regarding her physical appearance and health as key factors in her decision to step back from visibility.

Addressing her fans during a concert in Chicago, Grande clarified that her decision was deliberate and planned well in advance, rather than an impulsive reaction to criticism. She emphasized that setting personal boundaries and taking time away from the spotlight was essential.

Bailey's exit followed shortly after, in early September. Despite stepping down, the actor—who previously worked with director Marianne Elliott on West End productions of Cock and Company—expressed full support for the creative team. He voiced his continued admiration for the project and offered his best wishes to the future cast and crew.