Jonathan Bailey Confirms New Project with Ariana Grande, ‘Sunday in the Park With George’: When and Where It Will Premiere
Many details are still unknown, but the musical is reported to premiere in London’s West End in summer 2027
Today is great news for fans of Wicked, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, and, above all, musicals. After months of rumors about a possible joint project between the two actors, Bailey seems to have confirmed that he and Grande will star together in the cast of the musical Sunday in the Park With George.
The 37-year-old actor reportedly shared a photo on his Instagram account with Ariana at The Art Institute of Chicago, standing in front of the iconic painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, the most famous work by the French painter Georges Seurat.
This artwork holds key significance: it is the painting on which Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine based the musical Sunday in the Park With George, imagining and developing the stories embedded within the artwork.
What Is ‘Sunday in the Park With George’ About?
The musical that Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey will co-star in centers on the life of painter Georges Seurat, focusing specifically on the complexities surrounding the artist’s creative process.
The original musical, from 1984, features music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Lapine, inspired by the aforementioned painting. The story revolves around George, a fictionalized version of Seurat, who is completely immersed in creating his masterpiece, and his contemporary great-grandson, also named George, a modern artist full of doubts and inner conflicts.
Which Roles Will Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey Play?
In Sunday in the Park With George, Ariana Grande will play Dot, a complex and central character in the story. Dot is the muse, lover, and source of inspiration for the painter Georges Seurat but also represents the tensions and sacrifices that come with being close to an artist obsessed with his work. Throughout the musical, Dot experiences love, frustration, and a desire to be closer to Seurat, offering a human side to his strong focus on his art.
Jonathan Bailey will take on the role of George Seurat, the French painter who created pointillism and is the protagonist of the musical. George is portrayed as an artistic genius absorbed by perfection and detail, seeking to capture the essence of life through his revolutionary technique of tiny dots. His obsession with his work leads him to emotional isolation, facing the dilemma between creative success and personal relationships—a conflict deeply explored throughout the show.
When and Where Will It Premiere?
The production of Sunday in the Park With George, starring Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey, is reportedly set to premiere in summer 2027 in London’s West End, although this has yet to be officially confirmed.
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While the exact theater hasn’t been announced, speculation points to a landmark venue like the Barbican Theatre, a favorite among London audiences.