THE reboot of the musical Sunday In The Park With George has been axed after both its leading stars Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey dropped out.
The show, announced last year, was set to run at the Barbican in London nextsummer but won’t go ahead, with organisers instead hoping to launch a version with a different cast the following year.
Wicked stars Jonathan Bailey and Ariana Grande – have quit the London show they were diue to star inCredit: GettyProducers have now made the decision to axe Sunday in the Park with GeorgeCredit: Barbican Theatre
In a statement, bosses said: “The planned 2027 production of Sunday in the Park with George at the Barbican will no longer proceed as scheduled.
“Empire Street Productions will retain the rights with a view to presenting the production in 2028. Further details will be announced when appropriate.”
“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.”
Ariana is taking a hiatus from the spotlightCredit: GettyActor Jonathan also starred in Wicked alongside ArianaCredit: Getty
At the time, bosses at Empire Street Productions said her role would be recast.
They said: “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.”
ARIANA GRANDE broke down in tears on stage at what could be her final-ever concert.
The superstar, 33, sobbed as she opened up about her decision to step back from public life.
Ariana Grande has performed for the final time ahead of taking a step back from public lifeCredit: The Mega AgencyAriana was left tearful during the arena gigCredit: Supplied
Halting her final gig at London’s O2 Arena, Ariana said: “I just wanted to say thank you so much.
“This has been such an extraordinary experience.
Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter
Thank you!
“Thank you for ten beautiful London shows and 41 incredible Eternal Sunshine shows.”
Breaking down in tears, Ariana continued: “This has been one of the most beautiful extraordinary experiences of my life and I just wanted to express my gratitude without sobbing.
“It has been so special and I will cherish this experience always.
“I have loved every minute of this with you all and I just wanted to make sure I express how grateful I am.”
Signing off, she continued: “Thank you for being by my side all the way from Honeymoon Avenue to Hampsted.”
The star is stepping back from public life following the conclusion of the tourCredit: GettyThe star spoke out to the crowd ahead of her time-out from the spotlightCredit: SuppliedShe gave a poignant final message to the audienceCredit: SuppliedAriana has performed a run of 10 sold-out shows in LondonCredit: Getty
Ariana broke down in tears for a second time before performing Hate That I Made You Love Me.
The singer struggled to get her words out as she thanked everyone who has worked on the tour from hair and make up to the security.
For the final show of the tour Ariana added four songs from her new album Petal.
The singer belted out Oh Well, Like I Do and the record’s lead single Hate That I Made You Love Me.
Ari also performed Nowhere, Nobody for the first time.
During her performance of hit single Thank U, Next the star continued her recent trend of changing the words to reflect her rekindling things with dancer Ricky Alvarez.
Rather than singing “wrote some songs about Ricky, now I listen and laugh” the superstar sang: “Wrote some songs about Ricky, I’m trying to make him my last.”
Ariana’s Wicked co-star Cynthia Erivo watched her final show from the sound decks.
However, unlike on night two of the 10 London shows when she joined Ariana on stage, she opted to take a back seat and simply watch the show as a fan.
It was previously revealed that Ariana would be retreating from the public eye following the end of tonight’s run of 10 O2 Arena shows of the Eternal Sunshine Tour.
In a statement released last month, a rep for the 7 Rings singer said: “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 have 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.”
Ariana herself later clarified that the decision had been months in the planning and was not in response to widespread concern for her health after visible weight loss over the past year.
The singer said: “It was not a reactive or impulsive thing. It is something that I have decided, a 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 that many things can be true at the same time.”
She added: “I heard that my fans were worried that negativity was ruining things for me, but I just have to say that could not be more the f*** opposite.
“This is not what that is. I just want to be very, very clear. Multiple things can be true at the same time.
“Boundaries need to be set.
“Human beings need a break sometimes. And also, this can be, and will continue to be, the greatest experience of my professional and creative life. So, I just wanted to make that quite plain.”
It comes a month after Ariana pulled out of making her West End debut in Sunday in the Park with George slated for next year at the Barbican.
“And I just wanted to say I’m going to savour every last second of these last ten shows with you guys. As this is one of my favourite places in the world.”
