The sexiest man alive and the blond star of “Wicked” apparently made a stealth visit to the Art Institute of Chicago to promote an upcoming production of “Sunday in the Park with George” — in London.
An Instagram post on Wednesday featured Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey staring thoughtfully at each other on folding chairs in front of the Georges Seurat painting “A Sunday on La Grand Jatte,” one of the museum’s marquee attractions.
Bailey and Grande will star in a new stage production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Sunday in the Park with George,” slated for summer 2027. The musical is likely to be a very hot ticket, and was inspired by the painting.
The photo of the pair, which appears to be genuine, was taken by photographer Katia Temkin, known for her work with Grande, including for album covers. No other visitors are visible, suggesting that the museum gave the pair special access. (The Art Institute did not return a request for comment on the circumstances of the visit.)
Performances of the musical, which will feature a book by James Lapine, music by Sondheim and direction by Marianna Elliot, with design by Tom Scutt, are slated for next summer at London’s Barbican Center. Empire Street Productions is the producer.
Chris Jones is a Tribune critic.
cjones5@chicagotribune.com
