Actor Jonathan Bailey has exited the upcoming West End production of 'Sunday in the Park with George' following the departure of his co-star, Ariana Grande.
Key facts
- •Jonathan Bailey and Ariana Grande were originally cast as George and Dot.
- •The musical is based on the painting 'A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte' by Georges Seurat.
- •Previews for the West End revival are scheduled to begin in summer 2027.
- •The original 1984 Broadway production starred Bernadette Peters and Mandy Patinkin.
- •Producers are currently searching for new actors to fill the lead roles.
Jonathan Bailey announced on Tuesday that he is stepping down from the West End revival of the musical 'Sunday in the Park with George.' His decision follows the earlier departure of his co-star, Ariana Grande. The two actors were originally cast to play the lead roles of George and Dot in the production, which is scheduled to begin previews in the summer of 2027.
Reasons for Departure
In a statement, Bailey described his support for Grande as unwavering and noted that he made the decision to step back after much consideration. He characterized the musical as a passion project and expressed his anticipation for seeing the new actors who will eventually take on the roles. Grande’s own departure was announced weeks earlier, with her representatives citing her intention to take a break from public-facing work.
Production Status and Casting
Despite the loss of its two leads, the production team stated that the show’s premiere timeline remains unchanged. Representatives for the musical confirmed that the creative team is currently reshaping the production around a new company. Casting discussions are ongoing, and no replacements have been announced yet.
Timeline
- 1984The original production of 'Sunday in the Park with George' premiered on Broadway.
- TuesdayJonathan Bailey announced he is stepping down from the production.
- Summer 2027Previews for the West End revival are scheduled to begin.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Rolling Stone.
