London musical cancelled after Grande, Bailey exit

The planned London revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George has been cancelled after Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey withdrew from the production.

The two Wicked stars were scheduled to reunite on stage at the Barbican in 2027. The production was initially expected to continue even after both actors announced their departures.

However, Empire Street Productions confirmed on Monday that the musical would no longer go ahead as planned next year.

The production company said it would retain the rights to the show and is considering staging it in 2028. Further details about a possible new production will be announced later.

Grande was the first of the two stars to leave the project. Last month, she announced that she would step back from public appearances after completing her Eternal Sunshine Tour.

The singer said the decision had been planned for some time. She also told fans that setting boundaries was important and that people sometimes need a break from public attention.

Bailey announced his withdrawal earlier this month. He expressed his support for director Marianne Elliott and the production team. He also wished the replacement performers and the wider cast success.

Grande and Bailey became major stars through their roles as Glinda and Fiyero in the Wicked films. They reunited for the sequel, Wicked: For Good, after the success of the first movie.

Sunday in the Park with George was created by American composer Stephen Sondheim and playwright James Lapine. The musical first premiered on Broadway in 1984.

The story is inspired by French artist Georges Seurat’s famous painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte. It follows a fictionalised version of the painter and explores his obsession with art and his personal relationships.