Wicked Stars Reunite for Major Sondheim Revival
In a casting coup set to thrill theatre fans, Jonathan Bailey and Ariana Grande are confirmed to lead a brand-new London production of Stephen Sondheim's revered musical, Sunday in the Park with George. The show will run at the Barbican Centre in the summer of 2027, with tickets going on sale in May 2026.
This reunion of the stars from the upcoming Wicked films promises to be one of the most anticipated theatrical events of the decade. The production will be directed by the acclaimed Marianne Elliott, who previously directed Bailey in a celebrated revival of Sondheim's Company in 2018, with design by Tom Scutt.
A Show Inspired by Art, Delayed by a Pandemic
The path to this revival is a story in itself. A previous Broadway production starring Jake Gyllenhaal was slated for a London transfer in 2020, but was cancelled due to the pandemic. This unexpected clearance has now paved the way for this high-profile new staging.
The musical itself is a masterpiece by the late Stephen Sondheim, inspired by the pointillist painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by Georges Seurat. It tells the story of a fictionalised version of the artist and, decades later, his disillusioned great-grandson.
Stage Credentials and Star Power
While Jonathan Bailey boasts an extensive and lauded stage career in the UK, Ariana Grande's return to the theatre marks a significant moment. She performed in US productions before her pop superstardom, making her London stage debut in this role a major event.
The combination of Elliott's visionary direction, the material's sophistication, and the immense star power of the leads suggests tickets will be in ferocious demand. Fans are advised to mark their diaries for the May 2026 on-sale date.
Sunday in the Park with George will run at the Barbican Centre in summer 2027. Tickets go on sale in May 2026.
