Jonathan Bailey has bowed out of the West End revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park With George after his Wicked costar Ariana Grande’s exit.
“Ari is one of my dearest friends, and my support for her is unwavering. [Director] Marianne [Elliott] is extraordinary and one of my longest collaborators and friends,” Bailey, 38, wrote via his Instagram Story on Tuesday, September 1. “After much consideration, I have decided to also step back from Sunday in the Park with George.”
He continued, “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.”
Bailey noted that he wishes “the very best to the entire company,” concluding, “I will be cheering them on as they continue with this production.”
Sunday in the Park With George released a separate statement on Tuesday, sharing that Bailey had informed the producers of his decision to withdraw.
“Work on the production continues,” the statement read via X. “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.”
The message concluded, “Further casting and production details will be announced in due course.”
Bailey had been set to appear in the production opposite Grande, 33, whose rep shared in August that she would be “taking a step back from visibility” after completing her Eternal Sunshine Tour.
“She looks forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily,” the rep said in a statement to People at the time, adding that Grande’s decision serves as a “much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances” and that the singer’s prior engagements have caused “endless, ongoing public scrutiny.”
Hours later, Sunday in the Park With George released an official statement and confirmed that Grande had “decided to step back” from the production.
“We know this cannot have been an easy decision, and she makes it with our complete understanding and support,” the production account wrote via X. “We wish her nothing but the best. The production will open at the Barbican in summer 2027 as planned, and casting will be announced in due course.”
