News recently broke that Wicked stars Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey are to star in a new production of Sondheim’s classic musical, Sunday in the Park with George. With the pair being cast right after starring in a box office hit, the question arises: Is this stunt casting?
By Jayne Turner – Staff Writer
What is Stunt Casting?
“Stunt casting” refers to a celebrity being cast in a role not for their talent or skill, but to generate publicity and drive sales. By leveraging the celebrity’s existing fanbase, the production automatically receives buzz from the media and audiences alike.
Why We Don’t Approve
Stunt casting can also be referred to as nothing more than a publicity stunt. There is a clear focus on fame, not talent. It is unfair to performers who lack a following, even if they have experience on stage. It can even serve as a distraction, with audiences coming to see the celebrity, not the show itself.
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Stunt Casting: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly
In 2017, the lead singer of Panic! at the Disco, Brendan Urie, starred in a Broadway production of Kinky Boots. He played the leading role, Charlie Price. By singing and dancing in high heels, he proved himself to be a great performer. With his undeniable vocal chops and commitment to the role, his run in the production was generally well-received.
In 2018, Al Roker of The Today Show made his Broadway debut in Waitress. He had a singing role, which he prepared for, but fans of the musical still disapproved of his casting. It may have been charming and heartfelt, but diehard fans didn’t like his singing.
Just last year, in 2025, YouTube personality Trisha Paytas made her debut in Beetlejuice in a minor role. For Paytas, this role fulfilled a childhood dream, and fans were happy to see her thrive. However, she received criticism for her poor acting and singing. In addition, people do not approve of her casting because of her controversial history.
The Verdict on Sunday in the Park
Given their background in stage productions, I wouldn’t categorize this as true stunt casting. Ariana Grande got her start in the original Broadway cast of 13: The Musical in 2008. Jonathan Bailey got his start as a child performer in the Royal Shakespeare Company and went on to perform in a West End production of Les Misérables at age eight.
So, although the casting announcement does follow an extremely successful film release, the pair are likely to kill it in this stage production, and it will likely be a positive example of what can happen when you cast a celebrity in a stage production.
The production will debut in summer 2027 at London’s Barbican Centre, and it is set to be directed by Mariann Elliot and feature the costume design of Tom Scutt. Tickets are sure to be limited, so if you’re in the area, get them as soon as they are released.
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