Jonathan Bailey quits Sunday in the Park with George after Ariana Grande pulls out
Jonathan Bailey has now pulled out of the West End revival of Sunday in the Park with George.
This announcement today (1 September) comes nearly a month after Ariana Grande announced she would no longer be appearing in the London production directed by Marianne Elliott.
It had initially been said that the show would still go ahead as planned with the Bridgerton actor in a starring role and Grande's part to be recast. But he now 'looks forward' to seeing what the actors who take on their roles 'will create'.
Bailey called the singer one of his 'dearest friends' as he said he has 'decided to also step back' from the musical.
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Empire Street Productions has confirmed that work on the production 'continues' as discussions around casting are 'actively under way'. The revival of the Stephen Sondheim musical is due to play at the Barbican in 2027.
Jonathan Bailey's statement
Taking to Instagram Stories today, the actor wrote: "Ari is one of my dearest friends, and my support for her is unwavering. Marianne is extraordinary and one of my longest collaborators and friends.
"After much consideration, I have decided to also step back from Sunday in the Park with George.
"This brilliant, introspective musical has been a real passion project for me, and I feel incredibly lucky to have shared in its journey with this team. Among many things, the story explores the deep connection between George and Dot, a beautiful, devoted pairing, and I so look forward to seeing what the team, and the two actors who will now take on these roles, will create with it.
"I wish the very best to the entire company with what will no doubt be an incredible production, and I will be cheering them on as they continue this journey."
Bailey previously worked with director Elliott on the 2018 West End gender-swapped revival of Sondheim and George Furth's Company. For that performance, he won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical.
Statement from producers
The official account for the Sunday in the Park with George production shared on Instagram Stories: "Following Ariana Grande's withdrawal, Jonathan Bailey has informed the producers that he has also decided to withdraw from Sunday in the Park with George. Work on the production continues. "Casting discussions are actively under way, and 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.
"Further casting and production details will be announced in due course."
Ariana Grande's exit
The singer had been set to reunite with her Wicked co-star for the show, marking her West End theatre debut. However, her exit came as her team announced she would be taking a 'step back' from the public eye.
Her representative told PEOPLE earlier in August: "Ariana will be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour.
"She looks forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily, and then taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances, which has led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny.
"This tour has been a beautiful experience for her. She loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much.”
This step back therefore meant her pulling out of the London theatre production.
And she later addressed the break, telling fans it was 'not a reactive or impulsive thing'.
“It is something that I had decided to plan that I had quietly made a long time ago and it’s a decision that was made from a thoughtful and empowered place. And I want you to know many things can be true at the same time," she said on stage in Chicago.
Her tour will come to an end tonight, following her final performance at London's O2 Arena.
Topics: Jonathan Bailey, Ariana Grande, Celebrity News, London
Jess Battison