The anticipation for the upcoming film adaptation of Wicked is already reaching fever pitch, but the stars of the project, Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey, are keeping busy in the interim. The pair recently made a visit to the Art Institute of Chicago to view Georges Seurat’s iconic painting, A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, a work that holds particular significance for their next theatrical endeavor.
On , Grande and Bailey spent time with the Pointillist masterpiece, a fixture of the museum’s collection since . The visit wasn’t simply a cultural outing; it was a research trip ahead of their starring roles in a revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, Sunday in the Park with George, inspired by Seurat’s painting.
The production, set to debut at London’s Barbican Centre in the , will see Bailey take on the titular role of Georges, while Grande will portray Dot, a character famously originated by Broadway legend Bernadette Peters. The pairing marks a continuation of their professional relationship, blossoming from their work together on the Wicked film franchise.
Marianne Elliot, who previously directed Bailey in a critically acclaimed gender-swapped revival of Sondheim’s Company in the West End, will helm the new production of Sunday in the Park with George. Elliot’s involvement signals a commitment to a fresh, yet respectful, interpretation of the beloved musical.
Sunday in the Park with George premiered Off Broadway in at Playwrights Horizons, quickly gaining recognition for its innovative structure and poignant exploration of art, life, and the creative process. It went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, along with two Tony Awards for design and the Olivier Award for best musical. The musical’s enduring appeal has led to several revivals, including a UK production in and a Broadway run in starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Annaleigh Ashford.
The choice of Sunday in the Park with George as their next project after Wicked is a particularly interesting one for Grande and Bailey. While Wicked is a large-scale, popular musical with a focus on spectacle and fantasy, Sondheim’s work is known for its intellectual depth and emotional complexity. The transition demonstrates a willingness to tackle challenging material and showcase their range as performers.
The Art Institute of Chicago’s connection to the musical runs deep, as A Sunday on La Grande Jatte serves as the central inspiration for the entire narrative. The painting, completed between and , is a prime example of Seurat’s Pointillist technique, characterized by the application of small, distinct dots of color that blend optically to create a cohesive image. The painting’s meticulous detail and exploration of modern life resonated with Sondheim, who saw in it a metaphor for the artist’s struggle to create meaning and connection.
The visit by Grande and Bailey highlights the ongoing interplay between visual art and musical theatre. Sunday in the Park with George is not simply a musical *about* a painting; it’s a musical that *embodies* the artistic process, exploring the challenges and triumphs of creation. By immersing themselves in Seurat’s work, Grande and Bailey are gaining a deeper understanding of the themes and ideas that underpin the musical.
For Chicago residents, the Art Institute is currently offering free winter weekdays for locals, providing an opportunity to view A Sunday on La Grande Jatte firsthand through , with proof of residency. The museum’s accessibility underscores its commitment to sharing art with the community, and the timing of the offer coincides with the increased attention brought by the visit of the two prominent actors.
As Grande and Bailey prepare to step into the roles of Georges and Dot, their visit to the Art Institute of Chicago serves as a reminder of the power of art to inspire and connect. The revival of Sunday in the Park with George promises to be a significant event in the London theatre scene, and the involvement of these two talented performers is sure to draw a wide audience. The production will undoubtedly offer a fresh perspective on Sondheim’s masterpiece, inviting audiences to contemplate the enduring legacy of Georges Seurat and the transformative power of art itself.
