Ariana Grande withdraws from 'Sunday in the Park with George' at the Barbican
Ariana Grande has withdrawn from the upcoming 2027 production of 'Sunday in the Park with George' at the Barbican. Her representatives stated she intends to take a break from public-facing work following the conclusion of her current tour.
Why it matters
The departure of a major pop star from a high-profile theatrical production highlights the pressures of fame and the challenges of managing long-term career commitments.
Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Pulitzer Prize–winning musical was inspired by the French pointillist painter Georges Seurat's painter A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte .
Singer and Wicked star Ariana Grande has pulled out of Marianne Elliott's upcoming production of Sunday in the Park with George , which opens at the Barbican in 2027. She was due to star alongside Jonathan Bailey.
The production confirmed the news in a statement: “Following this evening’s announcement from Ariana Grande’s team, Empire Street Productions 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 will open at the Barbican in summer 2027 as planned, and casting will be announced in due course.”
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