Jonathan Bailey withdraws from SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE

In a statement on social media, Bailey (best known for playing Anthony Bridgerton on Netflix's Bridgerton and Fiyero in the film adaptation of Wicked, which also starred Grande as Glinda) announced that after much deliberation, he has decided to step back from Sunday in the Park with George. He did not give a reason, but expressed his "unwavering" support for Grande, whom he called "one of my dearest friends". He went on to praise the "brilliant, introspective musical", which he said "has been a real passion project for me", and stated that he looked forward to seeing what the two new leads would create with it.

This follows the announcement from earlier in August that Ariana Grande had decided to exit the production for personal reasons, with her representative citing a need for a much-deserved break from the recent public scrutiny she has faced recently.

The show's producers also issued a statement on social media, confirming that casting discussions were underway, that further casting and other details would be announced in due course, and that "the creative team is reshaping the production around a new company while preserving the ambition and artistic integrity of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s musical" - suggesting some more major changes are on the horizon for this highly anticipated revival.

A Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, Sunday in the Park with George features a book by James Lapine and a score by Stephen Sondheim. It tells the story of French post-Impressionist painter Georges Seurat in the months leading up to the completion of his most famous painting, 'A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte'. Driven by an obsessive need to complete the painting, Seurat isolates himself from the French bourgeoisie, spurns his fellow artists, and ignores his lover Dot, a string of decisions that will have a resounding impact over the next hundred years. Bailey and Grande were originally cast as George and Dot respectively when the revival was announced back in January this year.

Marianne Elliot is set to direct the first major revival of this musical since 2006. It's been an unfortunate string of bad news for the production, as much of the excitement around the show has been built around the casting of Bailey and Grande, both big name stars with established chemistry from their past performance opposite each other in Wicked. With this being such a widely anticipated show, we're certain the production team will aim to cast equally exciting and talented actors as the new leads.

Could this casting setback mean a delay for the production? Nothing has been confirmed yet, and Sunday in the Park with George is still expected to open in summer 2027 as planned. Watch this space for the announcement about Bailey and Grande's replacements as and when they're revealed.

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