The Show Will Go On Without Ariana Grande: ‘Sunday In The Park With George’ Producers Plan For Musical Without ‘Wicked’ Star

A London production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Sunday in the Park With George will continue without Ariana Grande, according to producers. The Wicked star announced over the weekend that she would “step back from visibility” following her Eternal Sunshine tour on September 1, citing “endless, ongoing public scrutiny.” In a statement, which was also posted on X/Twitter, Empire Street Productions 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. Watch on Deadline “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.” Deadline first revealed in December that Grande and Jonathan Bailey would reunite in the production, with Tony Award and Olivier Award recipient Marianne Elliott directing. Bailey remains attached. In her statement, Grande said: “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 lead 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.”