The highly anticipated London revival of Sunday in the Park With George, starring Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey, is set to open in June 2027 at the Barbican Theatre, with auditions for other roles taking place this summer. This announcement comes after a series of delays, with ticket sales initially set for May 2026, then pushed to summer 2026, and now firmly planted in the summer of 2027. The delay is attributed to Grande's commitment to her Eternal Sunshine tour, which is currently playing at New York's Barclays Center and will have a 10-day residency in London later this summer.
This production marks a reunion of sorts for Grande and Bailey, who previously collaborated in the films Wicked and Wicked: For Good, playing Glinda and Fiyero, respectively. It also reunites Bailey with director Marianne Elliot, with whom he worked on the 2018 production of Company. The musical, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Lapine, has a rich history on Broadway, premiering in 1984 and winning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, two Tony Awards for design, and numerous Drama Desk Awards. It has also been the subject of several revivals, including a notable 2005-2006 UK production at the Menier Chocolate Factory, which transferred to the West End, and a 2017 Broadway revival starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Annaleigh Ashford.
What makes this revival particularly intriguing is the casting of Grande and Bailey, both of whom are renowned for their versatility and talent. Grande, a Grammy-winner and star of Wicked, brings a unique energy to the role of Dot, while Bailey, who has worked on various Broadway and West End productions, takes on the challenging role of George. The production, directed by Marianne Elliot and designed by Tom Scutt, promises to be a visually stunning and emotionally resonant interpretation of Sondheim's masterpiece.
However, the delay in the production's timeline raises questions about the strategic planning of the theatre industry. The decision to wait for Grande's tour to conclude before starting rehearsals suggests a cautious approach, ensuring that the production's quality is maintained. Yet, it also highlights the challenges of managing the schedules of high-profile artists, which can significantly impact the timing of theatrical projects. The anticipation for this revival is undoubtedly heightened by the delays, and fans will be eager to see how the production unfolds when it finally arrives on stage in 2027.
