Fresh off their magical turn in the blockbuster Wicked films, Jonathan Bailey and Ariana Grande are heading to London’s stage.
The pair will reunite for a highly anticipated revival of Stephen Sondheim’s masterpiece Sunday in the Park With George at the Barbican Theatre in summer 2027.
Bailey takes on the role of Georges, while Grande steps into the shoes of Dot in what promises to be one of the most talked-about theatrical events of the decade.
And the director? None other than Marianne Elliott, who previously helmed Bailey’s breakout West End performance.
A Reunion of Creative Forces
This production marks a significant reunion between Bailey and director Marianne Elliott.
Elliott directed Bailey in his career-defining performance as Jamie in the gender-swapped Company revival that took London’s West End by storm. That production showcased Bailey’s exceptional range and cemented his status as one of Britain’s most versatile performers.
Now, Elliott brings her visionary directing style to Sondheim’s beloved musical, with acclaimed designer Tom Scutt joining the creative team to design the production.
From Screen Chemistry to Stage Magic
Bailey and Grande’s on-screen chemistry in Wicked captivated audiences worldwide as they portrayed Fiyero and Glinda respectively.
Their transition from the fantastical world of Oz to Sondheim’s pointillist meditation on art and relationships represents an intriguing artistic evolution for both performers. While Grande built her career on pop music before transitioning to film, she’s demonstrated serious theatrical chops throughout her career.
Bailey, meanwhile, has consistently balanced his screen work—including his Emmy-nominated turn in Fellow Travelers—with prestigious stage roles.
The Legacy of Sunday in the Park
Sunday in the Park With George stands as one of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s most innovative collaborations.
Inspired by Georges Seurat’s iconic painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, the musical explores themes of artistic creation, obsession, and connection across time. It first premiered off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons in 1983 before transferring to Broadway’s Booth Theatre in 1984.
The musical’s critical acclaim was immediate and lasting. It won the prestigious 1985 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and earned 10 Tony Award nominations, solidifying its place in musical theatre history.
Previous Productions and West End History
The musical has enjoyed multiple revivals on both sides of the Atlantic.
Broadway saw successful revivals in 2008 and 2017, with Jake Gyllenhaal starring in the latter production opposite Annaleigh Ashford. The West End has embraced the show with three previous productions, each bringing fresh interpretations to Sondheim’s complex score and Lapine’s layered narrative.
Grande’s Theatre Credentials
While many know Grande primarily as a pop superstar, her theatrical roots run deep.
She performed in musical theatre productions as a child and originated the role of Cat Valentine on Nickelodeon before launching her music career. Her four-octave vocal range and technical precision make her uniquely suited to tackle Sondheim’s notoriously challenging score.
Taking on Dot represents Grande’s most ambitious theatrical undertaking to date—a role that demands both exceptional vocal abilities and dramatic depth.
Why This Production Matters
This revival arrives at a moment when both stars command massive global followings.
Bailey’s recent work in Bridgerton, Fellow Travelers, and Wicked has elevated him to international stardom, while Grande remains one of the world’s most recognizable entertainers. Their combined star power promises to introduce Sondheim’s masterwork to new generations of theatre lovers.
The Barbican Theatre provides an ideal venue for this ambitious production. Known for staging bold, visually stunning theatrical experiences, the venue’s resources and reputation align perfectly with the musical’s artistic demands.
The Challenge of Sondheim
Performing Sondheim requires extraordinary skill and precision.
His complex melodies, intricate lyrics, and demanding vocal arrangements challenge even the most accomplished performers. Sunday in the Park With George is particularly notorious for its difficulty, with songs like “Finishing the Hat” and “Move On” requiring both technical mastery and emotional vulnerability.
Both Bailey and Grande will need to demonstrate not just vocal prowess but the ability to inhabit characters grappling with profound questions about art, legacy, and human connection.
Looking Ahead to 2027
Theatre fans have nearly three years to anticipate this landmark production.
The extended lead time reflects both the production’s scale and the scheduling challenges of assembling such high-profile talent. For London theatre-goers, the wait promises to be worth it—this revival has all the ingredients of a cultural phenomenon.
With Elliott’s visionary direction, Scutt’s design expertise, and two of entertainment’s brightest stars leading the cast, this Sunday in the Park With George could redefine how contemporary audiences experience Sondheim’s work.
As Grande transitions from pop arenas to prestigious theatres and Bailey continues demonstrating his remarkable versatility, their collaboration represents more than just a celebrity casting coup—it’s a meeting of serious artistic ambition with mainstream appeal that could make theatrical history.