Jonathan Bailey Exits Sunday in the Park Revival

Jonathan Bailey has stepped away from the planned West End revival of Sunday in the Park with George, leaving the production without either of the Wicked stars originally announced for its central roles. His withdrawal follows Ariana Grande’s decision last month to leave the show as she prepares to reduce her public schedule.

Bailey says the musical remains a passion project

In a statement shared Tuesday, Bailey said he made the decision after considerable thought. He described Grande as one of his closest friends and said his support for her remained firm. The actor also emphasized that Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s musical had been deeply important to him.

Bailey had been due to play painter Georges Seurat opposite Grande as Dot and Marie. Their casting would have reunited them onstage after their appearances as Fiyero and Glinda in the Wicked films. Bailey said he looked forward to seeing the performers who eventually take on the roles and praised director Marianne Elliott, a longtime collaborator.

The production is moving ahead with a new company

Empire Street Productions confirmed that work on the revival is continuing. The producers said casting discussions are active and that the creative team is rebuilding the show around a new company while retaining the ambition of the original plan. Additional casting and production details are expected later.

The revival is planned for the Barbican Centre in London. Reports differ on whether the engagement is described simply as next summer or summer 2027, so the production’s next formal announcement will be important for clarifying the schedule as well as the replacement leads.

Bailey’s exit changes the marketing profile of one of London theater’s most closely watched upcoming revivals. The show was initially built around the reunion of two performers whose Wicked partnership already had a global audience. It will now have to establish a fresh identity around a new George and Dot while keeping attention on Sondheim’s examination of art, love and creative sacrifice.