Ariana Grande was spotted enjoying a performance by her man Ethan Slater, marking the beginning of his weeklong residency at Café Carlyle in New York on Tuesday, May 28.
“She was laughing at all of his jokes in between songs, and cheering for him after each song,” shared an observer with PEOPLE.
Slater, renowned for his role in Spamalot, treated the audience to an eclectic mix, including Broadway hits like Fiddler on the Roof and Pippin, along with original compositions and covers of Bob Dylan classics. Additionally, he showcased his versatility with acoustic renditions from his stint in the SpongeBob SquarePants musical, which garnered acclaim during its 2018 Broadway run.
“He’s extremely talented,” the source continued, praising Slater, 31, who is set to portray Boq in the forthcoming big screen adaptation of Wicked, scheduled for release on Nov. 27. The performance, predominantly focused on Slater’s passion for music and theater, featured endearing moments like a glance towards Grande during a rendition of a love-themed lyric, earning collective chuckles from the audience.
“He did talk about Wicked, and at one point he acted like he was going to cover ‘Defying Gravity,’ and it seemed like the crowd hoped Grande would join him onstage, but then he did a last-minute switch into ‘If I Only Had a Heart’ from the original Wizard of Oz movie. Everyone was laughing,” the source added.
Grande appeared to be thoroughly enjoying the evening, sharing smiles with friends and relishing a cozy dinner with a select group at the back of the venue. The atmosphere was intimate, with the majority of attendees being theater enthusiasts, ensuring Grande could savor the experience without any interruptions.
Grande and Slater’s relationship, which began last July after they met on the set of Wicked, has been going strong. A source revealed to PEOPLE in December that Grande is “serious” about Slater, emphasizing their mutual support for each other’s endeavors. Grande was a regular attendee at Slater’s Spamalot shows, showcasing their commitment to each other’s professional pursuits.
ADVERTISEMENT
“They love to support each other in their work,” the source noted. “When she’s done with work, Ariana loves going to the theater when she can.”
Slater is scheduled to perform four more shows at Café Carlyle this week.
