Podcast Summary: MickeyJoTheatre – “Are Ariana Grande & Jonathan Bailey Really Going to Star in SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE?”
Date: December 18, 2025
Host: MickeyJoTheatre
Main Theme
This episode explores the widespread rumors that pop superstar Ariana Grande and acclaimed actor Jonathan Bailey may star together in a new London revival of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Sunday in the Park with George — potentially directed by Marianne Elliott at the Barbican in 2027. Host Mickey Jo discusses the origins of these rumors, the likelihood of the production happening, industry buzz, and whether Grande and Bailey are fitting choices for the lead roles.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
The Origins of the Rumor
[02:00 – 07:00]
- The rumor about Ariana and Jonathan starring in Sunday in the Park with George has ignited the theatre community, picked up by industry outlets such as Deadline.
- Mickey Jo recaps both stars’ theatrical history:
- Jonathan Bailey: Extensive stage experience, including an Olivier-winning turn in Company and recent plays like Cock and Edward II.
- Ariana Grande: Made her Broadway debut years ago but has focused on music and film since; hints from press tours that Wicked rekindled her interest in stage work.
- Discusses the persistent nature of pop stars rumored for Broadway, noting:
“There is constantly conversation about: is Gaga gonna do A Funny Girl? Is Gaga gonna do Evita?... It seems like it’s never really going to happen unless the perfect opportunity arises.”
(05:55) – Mickey Jo
Context and Past Casting Rumors
[07:00 – 12:00]
- Previous plans for high-profile Sunday in the Park with George productions floundered: Annaleigh Ashford & Jake Gyllenhaal’s transfer cancelled by the pandemic, later rumors linked Andrew Garfield, Florence Pugh, and even Ben Platt.
- Major revivals are rare in the UK; Mickey Jo laments never having had the chance to see it live, building personal excitement for this potential production.
- Speculation over possible alternative projects for Bailey, e.g., The Phantom of the Opera (potential, but vocally a stretch for Bailey).
The Reported Plan: Barbican 2027, Marianne Elliott Directing
[12:00 – 19:00]
- Deadline’s Baz Bamigboye, known for big scoops, reported the plan:
“Breaking news: Wicked stars Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey re-team for Sunday in the Park with George at London’s Barbican in 2027.”
- Barbican’s summer slot is a frequent home for major, star-driven revivals.
- Marianne Elliott, a highly decorated director, is reportedly attached. Elliott directed Bailey in both Company and Cock.
“If Jonathan was gonna do musical theatre again, it was gonna be Sondheim and it was going to be Marianne Elliott directing.”
(13:48) – Mickey Jo - Early read-throughs have reportedly taken place; all parties “cautiously optimistic.”
- A caveat: many moving parts remain, with Grande’s involvement most likely to change if anything derails the plan.
- Context on the musical and its source material: referencing premiere casts (Mandy Patinkin, Bernadette Peters; Philip Quast, Maria Friedman) and the significance of a Marianne Elliott-helmed revival.
- Additional industry rumor: Elliott may also be in the running to direct West Side Story at the National Theatre.
Are Grande & Bailey Right for the Roles?
[20:03 – 26:45]
- Mickey Jo’s take: Excitement for the production overrides any casting concerns ("I would just be super enthusiastic to get to see any production at this stage.” [20:03]), but nuanced thoughts on each lead:
- Jonathan Bailey as George:
- Known for charisma and charm, which is not at the core of the character of George, who is more gruff, withdrawn, and driven.
- Sondheim’s George is deeply focused on art, not personal relationships; performance hinges on controlled passion and restraint.
- “Must we continue to cast him in these roles where we have to pretend that he is anything other than the charming individual that he is?... George...is not what we would call charming or particularly charismatic.” (21:02)
- Nonetheless, Bailey’s onstage passion and skill, especially in emotionally challenging work, is promising.
- Ariana Grande as Dot:
- Grande’s musical versatility is underrated; she shifted vocal styles for Wicked’s Glinda but true stage singing (clear diction, projection) remains a question.
- “Her voice is more versatile than we have had the chance to perceive in the more recent years of her career, even in Wicked... but [Sunday in the Park with George] is very, very different.” (22:08)
- Diction and accent: Mickey Jo wonders whether Grande would use her own accent, try British, or derive a new sound for Dot.
- In terms of character fit: “She might actually be even better suited for this than Jonathan is for George... I think she could be a really great Dot because this role is all about unrequited romantic angst as well as comedy in those early moments and this sort of comedic frustration.” (24:48)
- Jonathan Bailey as George:
- Anticipating audience reactions:
- Concerns about Grande’s pop fanbase responding to the show, especially the musically and structurally unconventional second act.
- Predicts a “hot ticket” and potentially chaotic “on sale,” considering fans of Sondheim, musical theatre, Bailey, and Grande.
Industry Perspective: Likelihood and Impact
[19:00 – 20:00, 27:00 – 28:30]
- The Barbican’s unique programming, Elliott’s profile, and the stars’ experience make this the kind of project that can be fast-tracked, unless a major name drops out.
“There’s nothing that’s really going to get in the way of this happening unless somebody pulls out and that causes the entire project to collapse.” (18:43)
- For Grande, a return to the stage after years; for Bailey, another feather in a stage-heavy cap.
- For both, if this leads to further stage work, Mickey Jo sees only upsides.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On the “juicy rumor”:
“The last thing that I should be doing right now is engaging with rumors from the theater world. But this is so juicy a rumor that it’s been picked up just about everybody else.” (02:00)
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On Jonathan Bailey’s charm vs. the role of George:
“What George is, however, is passionate, which I think is something that Jonathan really would be able to deliver. I’d be very curious to see what his interpretation... would be.” (21:50)
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On Ariana Grande’s potential in the role:
“I can see her playing that very wittily and then, then very movingly. I can hear her rendition of those lines towards the end of the first act when they’re singing ‘We Do Not Belong Together.’” (25:05)
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On industry excitement and ticket demand:
“The second that this gets announced, the second that it goes on sale, those tickets are going to get sold... I have no idea what this on sale could even look like. It could be massive.” (26:38)
-
On the reality of Broadway/West End pop-crossover:
“Between the touring schedules, putting out new music and taking on more lucrative Hollywood projects…it seems like it’s never really going to happen unless the perfect opportunity arises.” (06:09)
Important Segment Timestamps
- Rumor Introduction & Context: [01:55 – 07:00]
- Past Attempts and Broadway/West End Context: [07:00 – 12:00]
- Baz Bamigboye’s Reporting & Barbican Details: [12:00 – 19:00]
- Casting Fit Discussion (Bailey & Grande): [20:03 – 26:45]
- Industry View & Conclusion: [27:00 – 28:30]
Conclusion
Mickey Jo expresses measured optimism for a Barbican 2027 revival of Sunday in the Park with George starring Jonathan Bailey and Ariana Grande. The opportunity is presented as both a rare high-profile Sondheim revival and an intriguing case of pop-star/Broadway crossover casting. While not all details are finalized, industry scuttlebutt and preliminary read-throughs suggest the project is more than idle gossip. With Grande potentially returning to the stage and Bailey reuniting with Marianne Elliott, this “hot ticket” could be a watershed moment for London theatre in 2027.
“Let us all manifest together because I think it would be really exciting.” (28:15) – Mickey Jo
For Broadway, West End, and Sondheim fans—and followers of both Bailey and Grande alike—this rumor is one to watch!