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Producers on Sunday In The Park With George have released a statement, following the exit of Ariana Grande from the production.
The statement reads: “Following this evening’s announcement from Ariana Grande’s team, Empire Street Productions can confirm that she has decided to step back from Sunday in the Park with George. We know this cannot have been an easy decision, and she makes it with our complete understanding and support. We wish her nothing but the best. The production will open at the Barbican in summer 2027 as planned, and casting will be announced in due course.”
Grande’s team stated yesterday that the star would be “taking a step back from visibility” due to “endless, ongoing public scrutiny.”
Auditions for other roles in the production were reportedly taking place this summer. The new update comes after ticket sales to the revival were recently delayed for a second time to fall 2026, after initially being announced for May 2026, then to summer 2026. The delay is due to the production waiting until Grande’s Eternal Sunshine tour is over, Variety confirmed.
As announced earlier this year, Bailey was to lead the production as George, with Grande taking on the role of Dot. Sunday in the Park with George has music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Lapine. This new production will be directed by Marianne Elliot, with design by Tom Scutt.
Tickets are available exclusively through the Barbican’s official website and box office. Learn more at SundayIntheParkMusical.com.
About Sunday In The Park With George
Sunday in the Park With George premiered on Broadway in 1984, starring Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters. The musical won the 1985 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, two Tony Awards for design (and a nomination for Best Musical), and numerous Drama Desk Awards. Several subsequent revivals followed, including the 2005–2006 UK production first presented at the Menier Chocolate Factory, its 2008 Broadway transfer, and a 2017 Broadway revival, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Annaleigh Ashford.
The show was last seen in London at the Menier Chocolate Factory, opening on November 14, 2005, and closing on March 17, 2006. The production starred Daniel Evans and Anna-Jane Casey, with direction by Sam Buntrock. The production transferred to the Wyndham’s Theatre in London’s West End, opening on May 23, 2006, and closing on September 2, 2006. Jenna Russell replaced Casey. The revival received six Olivier Award nominations overall, and won five in total including Outstanding Musical Production, Best Actor in a Musical and Best Actress in a Musical.
