Jonathan Bailey and Ariana Grande are set to reunite on stage for a new production of Stephen Sondheim’s musical Sunday in the Park with George.
The Wicked stars will appear opposite each other in the musical for a production at London’s Barbican Centre in the summer of 2027.Â
The 1984 musical, with music and lyrics by the legendary late Sondheim and a book by James Lapine, was inspired by French painter Georges Seurat’s A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.
Paying tribute to the work, Jonathan and Ariana teased the announcement on Wednesday morning as they shared a picture of themselves sat in front of the portrait – which hangs at The Art Institute of Chicago.Â
‘All it has to be is good,’ Jonathan captioned the picture of the pair, in reference to a key line from the musical.
The announcement has sent the theatre world into a spin, with stars such as Lea Salonga, Rachel Zegler and Marisha Wallace sharing their excitement.Â
Jonathan Bailey and Ariana Grande are set to reunite on stage for a new production of Stephen Sondheim’s musical Sunday in the Park with George (Pictured together in Wicked Part 1)
The Wicked stars will appear opposite each other in the musical for a production at London’s Barbican Centre in the summer of 2027 (Pictured together in 2023)
‘Oh my goodness WHAT IS HAPPENING?!’ Lea commented, while Rachel simply wrote: ‘Yeah.’
Marisha shared the iconic Cynthia Erivo shocked meme to express her delight while Heartstopper star Joe Locke, who recently starred in the Broadway revival of Sweeney Todd, wrote: ‘Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes.’
‘I’m going to have a heart attack,’ Euphoria star Maude Apatow commented, while her sister Iris said: ‘OMGGGGGG.’
Musical theatre child star Joshua Colley wrote ‘STOP IT!!’ and Heartstopper star Bradley Riches added: ‘AHHHH.’Â
Performances will begin at the Barbican Centre, London, in Summer 2027 and the production will be directed by Marianne Elliot, with design by Tom Scutt.
Tickets for the season at the Barbican will go on sale in May 2026 and will only be sold via the official Barbican website and box office.Â
Sunday in the Park with George is produced by Empire Street Productions and presented in association with the Barbican.Â
It comes after Ariana’s fans were convinced the star has officially left the Wicked era behind and is ready to to embrace being a popstar again after her appearance at the Golden Globes on Sunday. Â
The 1984 musical, with music and lyrics by the legendary late Sondheim and a book by James Lapine, was inspired by French painter Georges Seurat’s A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte
Paying tribute to the work, Jonathan and Ariana teased the announcement on Wednesday morning as they shared a picture of themselves sat in front of the portrait – which hangs at The Art Institute of Chicago
Jonathan and Ariana recently starred opposite each other in Wicked Part 1 and Wicked For Good as Prince Fiyero Tigelaar and Glinda Upland
After over a year of holding space and Defying Gravity, the second Wicked installment was released in November following yet another full-on press tour.Â
Having manifested playing the role of Glinda since as young as 13 years old, it was a dream career move for the star.Â
Yet after dyeing her hair and ditching her iconic ponytail, fans began to voice their concerns about Ariana’s appearance and what appeared to be weight loss from her petite frame during the Wicked press tour.Â
Known for her favourite hairstyle, the popstar, 32, was never without her signature look whether performing on stage, appearing on chat shows or accepting awards.Â
She therefore shocked fans when she ditched her look and dyed her brunette locks to blonde to play the highly-anticipated role of Glinda in the blockbuster.Â
Yet on Sunday evening Ariana sent fans into a frenzy as she resurrected the ponytail for the prestigious awards event.Â
While the star returned to her brunette hair in October, many fans were quick to notice that her tresses looked even darker at the weekend and remarked she looks to be in better health post Wicked.Â
Over on TikTok fans were overcome with excitement as they wrote: ‘Ponytailiana, we are so back!’Â
The announcement has sent the theatre world into a spin, with stars such as Lea Salonga, Rachel Zegler and Marisha Wallace sharing their excitement
Others penned: ‘SHE IS SOOOOO BACK!!’; ‘THIS IS THE ARIANA I KNOW’; ‘now this is the Ariana I know’; ‘THE QUEEN IS BACK’;Â ‘is it me or does she look healthier??’.
Fans were also keen to point out that the return to her old looks has coincided with the end of Wicked mania after Ariana and her co-star Cynthia Erivo appeared glued at the hip these past 18 months.Â
They penned: ‘and did someone notice that Cynthia Erivo is no longer in the picture’; ‘Finally that Glinda contract has ended’; ‘Basically cause her Wicked era is over’.
Cynthia was not in attendance at the Golden Globes as she stayed in London where she is busy preparing for her upcoming West End Dracula play.Â
Throughout the Wicked press tour, Ariana found herself forced to address concerns regarding her appearance.Â
Taking to TikTok in 2023, she said:Â ‘I just wanted to address your concerns about my body and talk a little bit about what it means to be a person with a body [that’s] seen and paid such close attention to.
‘I think we should be gentler and less comfortable commenting on people’s bodies, no matter what.’
