The London production of “Sunday in the Park with George” will open at the Barbican during summer 2027 as originally scheduled, despite Ariana Grande’s departure from the cast, according to producers Empire Street Productions.
Grande’s representatives announced on Sunday that the actress will be “taking a step back from visibility” following the conclusion of her “The Eternal Sunshine Tour” on September 1 in the United Kingdom, which includes withdrawing from the theatrical production. The Sondheim revival was planned to begin ticket sales after Grande completed the final leg of her tour.
Grande had been cast to perform the dual roles of Dot and Marie opposite Jonathan Bailey, her co-star from the “Wicked” film, in a production directed by Tony and Olivier Award winner Marianne Elliott with design by Tom Scutt. Producers stated they “wish [Grande] nothing but the best” and acknowledged that her decision “cannot have been an easy one,” while expressing their “complete understanding and support.” Casting for her former roles will be announced at a later date, with ensemble auditions having taken place in London earlier this summer.
Grande’s withdrawal from the stage production marks a shift in her professional schedule. Representatives indicated she plans to take a hiatus from public-facing work and appearances following her tour, citing concerns about ongoing public scrutiny. Her confirmed upcoming commitment is a role in an untitled Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller comedy scheduled to release during Thanksgiving, though it remains unclear whether she will participate in associated publicity activities for that project.
Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source
Article summary produced by Claude AI