So much for Sunday In The Park With Jonathan Bailey

Grande dropped out of the production last month as part of a highly-discussed decision to take a break from public life. Now, Deadline reports that Bailey is also out. “Ari is one of my dearest friends, and my support for her is unwavering. Marianne is extraordinary and one of my longest collaborators and friends,” Bailey writes in a statement to the outlet. “After much consideration, I have decided to also step back from Sunday In The Park With George. 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.” 

The implication here, obviously, is that the other artists involved still want to make it work. The show hadn’t actually gotten around to selling any tickets, so at least the production doesn’t have to fend off refund requests from upset Arianators or whatever fans of Jonathan Bailey may call themselves. According to a statement posted to the show’s Instagram story, “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.”