Ariana Grande has withdrawn from the planned 2027 London revival of Sunday in the Park With George and intends to step back from public-facing work after completing her Eternal Sunshine Tour. Empire Street Productions confirmed her departure, while a representative for the 33-year-old singer told People that sustained scrutiny had contributed to her decision, according to the Associated Press.
Grande had been scheduled to appear opposite her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey at the Barbican Centre in summer 2027. A January announcement from the Barbican identified Grande and Bailey as the leads in the Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine musical, with Marianne Elliott directing and Tom Scutt designing the production. The role would have marked a prominent return to live musical theater for Grande.
The production company said it understood and supported the decision. It also confirmed that the revival remains scheduled to open next summer and that replacement casting will be announced later. Bailey remains attached as George, leaving the producers to fill Grande's planned role while preserving the production timetable at one of London's leading arts venues.
Grande's representative said the performer wants to finish the tour in a healthy and positive way before taking a deserved break from appearances and other highly visible work. AP reported that attention around her current tour, a recent personal breakup and the release of her album Petal had intensified public discussion about her health and appearance, subjects on which Grande has previously urged greater restraint.
The immediate schedule is unchanged. Grande is due to continue the Eternal Sunshine Tour and finish with a London run at The O2, where the venue lists ten performances from Aug. 15 through Sept. 1. That means the announced break is expected after the tour rather than an abrupt cancellation of the remaining concerts, an important distinction for ticket holders and tour partners.
Grande began as a child performer on Nickelodeon before launching her recording career with Yours Truly in 2013. She has since won three Grammy Awards and received an Academy Award nomination for playing Glinda in Wicked. Her withdrawal removes a globally recognized star from a major London revival, but the production will proceed; attention now turns to its new casting and to the duration and scope of Grande's break.
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