Ariana Grande has pulled out of the upcoming London revival of Sunday in the Park with George, as her representative confirmed she plans to take a break from public-facing work and appearances after completing her Eternal Sunshine Tour.
The pop star had been scheduled to appear alongside her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey in a new production of Stephen Sondheim's celebrated musical at the Barbican in 2027. A spokesperson for Grande told People: "Ariana will be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour. She looks forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily, and then taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances, which has led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny. This tour has been a beautiful experience for her. She loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much."
Production proceeds with recasting
The decision also encompasses withdrawing from Sunday in the Park with George. The Barbican production will go ahead as planned, with Grande's role being recast, production company Empire Street Productions confirmed. In a statement issued to the Press Association, the company said: "Empire Street Productions have said following this evening's announcement from Ariana Grande's team, we 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."
A Sondheim classic
The acclaimed musical, written by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, made its Broadway debut in 1984 with Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters in the lead roles. It draws inspiration from Georges Seurat's celebrated painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte. The show centres on a fictionalised portrayal of Seurat as he strives to complete his masterpiece, exploring the struggle between life and art and his romance with his lover and muse, Dot.
Tour and career highlights
The 33-year-old singer is currently on her Eternal Sunshine tour, which is set to arrive in the UK this month for a 10-night residency at London's The O2. Her concluding London performance on September 1 will also signal the close of the tour.
The announcement follows the release of Grande's music video for "Petal", the title single from her newly launched eighth studio album, which prompted widespread speculation about her wellbeing.
Grande has won three Grammy Awards throughout a music career that began in 2013 with her debut album, Yours Truly. She first rose to prominence playing Cat Valentine in the Nickelodeon series Victorious and Sam & Cat, and received an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Glinda in the film adaptation of Wicked.
