It looks like Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey may have just let a major musical secret slip — and theatre fans are already buzzing.
The Wicked co-stars sparked fresh excitement on Wednesday after sharing a cryptic Instagram post that strongly hints at a revival of Sunday in the Park With George, Stephen Sondheim’s beloved and deeply introspective Broadway classic.
A picture that says more than words
Grande and Bailey jointly posted a photo of themselves seated in front of A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, the iconic Georges Seurat painting that directly inspired the musical.
Bailey captioned the post with a line fans instantly recognised:
“All it has to be is good.”
For musical theatre lovers, the reference couldn’t be clearer — it’s a lyric from the show’s title song. While neither actor has officially confirmed the project, the symbolism felt deliberate, and social media quickly did the rest.
Revival rumours gaining momentum
Just last month, reports suggested that Grande and Bailey were in early talks to headline a new revival of Sunday in the Park With George. If the rumours hold true, the production is expected to open in 2027 at London’s Barbican Theatre, though no formal announcement has been made yet.
The musical last received a major staging in 2017, with Jake Gyllenhaal and Annaleigh Ashford leading the Broadway revival. The original 1984 production starred Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters, going on to win both the Tony Award and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
Why this musical matters
Sunday in the Park With George is widely regarded as one of Stephen Sondheim’s most ambitious works. Told in two acts, the story follows artist George Seurat as he obsesses over completing his masterpiece, and then jumps generations ahead to his great-grandson — also an artist — grappling with creativity, legacy, and relevance in the modern world.
If Grande steps into the role of Dot, it would mark another major theatre milestone for the singer-actor, while Bailey’s potential casting as George would continue his steady rise as a serious stage performer.
From Wicked to Sondheim?
Grande and Bailey recently shared the screen in Wicked, playing Glinda and Fiyero under director Jon M. Chu. Their on-screen chemistry quickly became a fan favourite, making the idea of a stage collaboration even more exciting.
Adding fuel to the speculation, Grande recently teased that a deeply meaningful project announcement was on the way — something she described as creatively fulfilling and layered.
Could this be it? All signs suggest theatre fans should be paying close attention.
Final words
Nothing has been officially confirmed yet, but the clues are hard to ignore. A Seurat backdrop, a Sondheim lyric, and two globally recognised stars with theatre roots — it’s the kind of quiet reveal that feels very Sunday in the Park With George.
If this revival does move forward, it could become one of the most anticipated musical events of the decade. And for now, as the song says, all it has to be… is good.
