Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey to Star in Landmark London Revival of “Sunday in the Park with George”
A highly anticipated production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s masterpiece, “Sunday in the Park with George,” is set to captivate audiences at London’s Barbican Theatre in the summer of 2027, starring Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey. The announcement has already sparked fervent anticipation among theatre enthusiasts, with some immediately beginning to plan travel arrangements.
The upcoming revival promises a fresh perspective on the iconic musical, which explores the creative process and the sacrifices artists make in pursuit of their vision. As one longtime theatre critic noted, this production feels “less like a possibility and more like an inevitability I need to plan around.”
Bailey and Grande: Inspired Casting for a Sondheim Classic
Jonathan Bailey, celebrated for his emotionally resonant performance as Jamie in Marianne Elliott’s groundbreaking production of “Company,” will portray Georges Seurat, the post-impressionist painter at the heart of the story. Ariana Grande, known for her vocal prowess and currently starring in the cinematic adaptation of “Wicked,” is cast as Dot, Seurat’s lover and muse. According to reports, Grande’s casting is particularly inspired, as her “vocal precision and emotional clarity could illuminate Dot’s aching need to be seen and chosen.”
The creative team further elevates the production’s potential. Marianne Elliott, renowned for her work on “Angels in America,” will direct, while Tom Scutt, whose designs graced “Into the Woods,” will handle the set and costume design. This combination of talent suggests a revival that will be both intellectually stimulating and deeply moving – a balance that “Sunday” so often demands.
A History of Resilience: “Sunday in the Park with George” Through the Years
“Sunday in the Park with George,” inspired by Georges Seurat’s painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, premiered at Playwrights Horizons in 1983. The original Broadway production in 1984, starring Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters, redefined musical theatre, presenting a meditation on art, love, and the isolating nature of artistic dedication.
The musical garnered significant acclaim, winning the 1985 Pulitzer Prize for Drama – a rare honor for a musical – and solidifying its place as Sondheim’s most personal work. The narrative unfolds in two acts: the first depicting Seurat’s obsessive creation of his masterpiece, and the second exploring the legacy of art and its ability to connect with audiences across generations. The poignant refrain, “Connect, George,” remains a powerful and enduring theme.
Over the decades, “Sunday” has proven remarkably adaptable, with each revival offering new interpretations. A 2006 production at the Menier Chocolate Factory, which later transferred to Wyndham’s Theatre starring Daniel Evans and Jenna Russell, is widely considered a near-perfect realization of the piece. Similarly, the 2017 Broadway revival featuring Jake Gyllenhaal and Annaleigh Ashford demonstrated the musical’s continued relevance for contemporary audiences. These productions highlighted the show’s ability to resonate with anxieties surrounding art, attention, and human connection.
Why This Revival Matters
This 2027 London revival is not simply a nostalgic revisit; it’s an opportunity to reintroduce “Sunday in the Park with George” to a new generation. The musical demands performers willing to embrace its vulnerability and complexity, and with Bailey, Grande, and Elliott at the helm, this production has the potential to do just that. As one observer put it, this revival could “reintroduce it, once again, as one of the great, necessary works of modern theatre.”
And yes, for many devoted fans, summer 2027 has officially become a theatre pilgrimage.
