Outline:
Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey have confirmed their next big collaboration, this time in the form of a play. The two stars of Wicked are reuniting for the West End revival of Sunday in the Park With George. For those unfamiliar with the theater world, this Pulitzer Prize-winning musical from 1984, created by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, tells the story of an artist named George and his muse and lover, Dot.
Details about the upcoming production remain limited. However, the actors shared the news through a joint Instagram post that included a photo of them sitting at the Art Institute of Chicago, in front of Georges Seurat’s 1880s painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte—the same artwork that inspired the musical. In the caption, Grande and Bailey wrote, “All it has to be is good.”
What is Sunday in the Park With George about?
Sunday in the Park With George, written by Stephen Sondheim with a book by James Lapine, centers on George, a fictionalized version of painter Georges Seurat. The plot follows George as he works on his next masterpiece, becoming increasingly isolated from those around him, including his muse and lover, Dot. The musical explores George’s life as he paints the masterpiece, with the second act jumping forward a century to his great-grandson, a contemporary artist also named George, who is struggling with his creative identity.
When and where will the production debut?
The revival of Sunday in the Park With George is expected to debut in London’s West End in 2027. The production is still in the early stages, and it is set to run during the summer of 2027 at the Barbican Theatre in London.
Who is starring in Sunday in the Park With George?
Jonathan Bailey and Ariana Grande will take on the roles of George and Dot, respectively. This will be Bailey’s first lead role in a Shakespearean play, Richard II, in 2025. For Grande, this marks her first stage role in nearly two decades and her debut in a West End production.
The musical originally premiered on Broadway in 1984 with Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters. The roles were later played by Philip Quast and Maria Friedman in 1990 at London’s National Theatre. A 2017 Broadway staging, featuring Jake Gyllenhaal and Annaleigh Ashford, was planned to transfer to the West End in 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Marianne Elliott, a Tony-winning director and producer, is set to direct the play’s first revival since 2017.
Additional Information
- Cast: Jonathan Bailey and Ariana Grande will headline the production.
- Director: Marianne Elliott, known for her work on critically acclaimed plays, will direct the revival.
- Location: The show will run at the Barbican Theatre in London.
- Timeline: Expected to open in the summer of 2027.
- Historical Context: The original Broadway production featured Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters, while the 1990 London version starred Philip Quast and Maria Friedman.
This new revival promises to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most celebrated musicals in theater history. With Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey at the helm, fans are eager to see how this iconic story will be reimagined for a new generation.
Summary
Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey are set to star in the West End revival of Sunday in the Park With George. The production, directed by Marianne Elliott, is scheduled to open in 2027 at the Barbican Theatre. This marks Grande’s return to the stage after nearly two decades and Bailey’s lead role in a Shakespearean play. The musical, originally written by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, explores the life of an artist and his muse, with a second act that jumps forward in time to his great-grandson. The revival is highly anticipated, with fans eager to see how this classic story will be brought to life once again.