Producers of a 2027 London production of Stephen Sondheim's musical "Sunday in the Park with George" have confirmed that Ariana Grande will no longer be participating in the show. The announcement comes after the singer, 33, revealed plans to take a break from public-facing work following the conclusion of her "Eternal Sunshine" tour.
Grande's representative confirmed her withdrawal from the West End production, which was slated to run from July to September 2027 at the Barbican Theatre. This production marked the first major London revival of the musical in two decades and was set to co-star Jonathan Bailey, Grande's "Wicked" co-actor.
In a statement, the producers acknowledged Grande's decision: "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. 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 is expected to proceed as planned, with casting to be announced at a later date. Tickets are scheduled to go on sale in the autumn.
Concerns about Grande's involvement in the musical had previously surfaced when ticket sales were halted earlier in the summer. At the time, a source close to the singer indicated that sales were postponed to accommodate her touring and album release schedule, assuring that the show was still moving forward.
Grande's decision to step back follows a period of "ongoing public scrutiny" regarding her appearance, according to a statement from her team. The singer is currently on her "Eternal Sunshine" tour, which concludes in London on September 1. Her spokesman stated that she looks forward to finishing the tour on a high note before taking a "much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances."
A source close to Grande explained that her tour involves physically demanding performances, which she has maintained at a high level. The scrutiny of her appearance intensified following the release of her music video for "Petal."
In January, Grande herself suggested that taking a career break would be beneficial. She told Vogue Japan that she is not accustomed to taking breaks but acknowledged growing significantly during her time away from music while filming "Wicked." She expressed a desire for more "balance" in her career in the coming years, aiming for a less demanding schedule than the previous 15 years.