The theatre world is buzzing with the announcement that stage and screen stars Jonathan Bailey and Ariana Grande are set to reunite for a prestigious new production of Stephen Sondheim's celebrated musical, Sunday in the Park with George.
A Star-Studded London Premiere
The duo, who recently starred together in the film adaptation of Wicked, will appear opposite each other in this seminal work. The production is scheduled for a summer 2027 run at London's renowned Barbican Centre. The musical, first staged in 1984, features music and lyrics by the late, legendary Sondheim with a book by James Lapine. It is famously inspired by French pointillist painter Georges Seurat's masterpiece, A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.
Bailey and Grande cleverly teased the announcement by sharing a photograph of themselves seated in front of the actual painting, which is housed at The Art Institute of Chicago. Bailey captioned the image, 'All it has to be is good,' a direct and poignant reference to a key line from the musical itself.
Theatre World Erupts with Excitement
The news has sent waves of excitement throughout the entertainment industry, with a host of fellow stars swiftly sharing their reactions on social media. Tony Award-winner Lea Salonga exclaimed, 'Oh my goodness WHAT IS HAPPENING?!', while actress Rachel Zegler succinctly posted, 'Yeah.'
Marisha Wallace shared an iconic shocked meme, and Heartstopper star Joe Locke, a veteran of the recent Broadway Sweeney Todd revival, enthusiastically wrote, 'Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes.' Further reactions poured in from Maude Apatow ('I’m going to have a heart attack'), her sister Iris, and other theatre notables, underscoring the significant anticipation for this production.
Production Details and Ticket Information
The Barbican staging will be directed by the acclaimed Marianne Elliott, with design by Tom Scutt. Performances are confirmed to begin in Summer 2027. Prospective theatregoers should note that tickets for the season will go on sale in May 2026, and will be available exclusively through the official Barbican website and box office. The production is mounted by Empire Street Productions in association with the Barbican.
The announcement coincides with a notable shift for Ariana Grande, who has recently concluded an intense promotional period for Wicked. Her appearance at the Golden Globes, which saw the return of her signature high ponytail and a return to her darker hair colour, led fans to speculate that her 'Glinda era' was over and she was embracing a return to her popstar roots. Throughout the Wicked press tour, Grande had addressed public commentary on her appearance, advocating for more gentle discourse around people's bodies.
This high-profile reunion at one of London's most iconic cultural venues promises to be one of the theatrical highlights of 2027, blending Sondheim's genius with two of contemporary entertainment's biggest draws.
