London Production of Sondheim Musical Scrapped After Star Departures
The planned 2027 London revival of "Sunday in the Park With George" at the Barbican has been canceled following the exits of Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey. Producer Empire Street Productions will retain the rights and may present the production in 2028. Further details are expected later.
The cancellation stems from the departure of both headline performers, whose star power was central to the production's commercial appeal. Empire Street Productions has confirmed it will hold onto the rights rather than abandon the project entirely, leaving open the possibility of a 2028 staging. The Barbican, a major London arts venue, loses a high-profile booking from its upcoming season. No replacement casting or revised timeline has been announced, and the statement offers no reason for the exits beyond the production no longer proceeding as scheduled.
The collapse of a marquee revival could ripple through London's theater economy, affecting ticket sales forecasts, venue scheduling, and investor confidence in star-driven musical productions. Fans of both actors and of Sondheim's work may feel disappointment, while the delayed timeline could shift competitive dynamics among West End offerings in 2027 and 2028. The outcome may also prompt producers to reconsider how heavily they rely on celebrity casting.