Ariana Grande’s departure will not delay 'Sunday in the Park' with George revival

The upcoming London revival of Sunday in the Park with George will move forward as scheduled despite Ariana Grande’s decision to leave the production.

Producers have confirmed that the Stephen Sondheim musical will still open at the Barbican in summer 2027, with a replacement cast member to be announced at a later date.

Grande had been set to reunite with her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey in the revival, playing the dual roles of Dot and Marie opposite Bailey’s George Seurat. The production, directed by Tony and Olivier Award winner Marianne Elliott, remains on track, while auditions for the ensemble have already been taking place in London.

Empire Street Productions confirmed that the show will proceed as planned and said new casting details will be revealed in due course. Producers also expressed their support for Grande’s decision, stating that they understood the circumstances behind her departure and wished her the best.

Grande’s exit comes after her representatives announced that she plans to step back from public-facing work following the conclusion of her Eternal Sunshine Tour on Sept. 1. According to her team, the singer and actress intends to take a break from the spotlight after facing prolonged public scrutiny.

Despite leaving Sunday in the Park with George, Grande is still expected to appear in the upcoming comedy Focker-in-Law, starring Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller. It remains unclear whether she will participate in promotional activities for the film.

The highly anticipated revival continues to generate interest, particularly among fans who were looking forward to seeing Grande and Bailey share the stage following their collaboration in Wicked. Producers remain confident the production will deliver the planned summer 2027 opening.