It’s 1958, and late-night TV is America’s new obsession. Jack Paar is at the top of his game, and his favourite guest is Oscar Levant—a brilliant pianist, actor, and comedian with a reputation for razor-sharp wit and deeply unpredictable behaviour. But when Levant shows up to tape a live broadcast, it quickly becomes clear that this isn’t just another talk-show appearance. As the cameras roll, the genius unravels—and the line between performance and breakdown blurs.
Direct from its acclaimed Broadway run, Good Night, Oscar arrives at the Barbican for a limited season. Emmy and Tony Award winner Sean Hayes (Will & Grace) reprises his Tony Award-winning performance as Oscar Levant, earning praise for a tour de force turn that blends humour, fragility, and virtuosity—including a live performance of Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.”
Written by Doug Wright and directed by Lisa Peterson, this play explores the cost of brilliance, the pressure of public persona, and the enduring power of honesty on stage. A funny, moving, and unforgettable portrait of a man who defied convention—on and off camera.
