Review of Goodnight, Oscar: Sean Hayes, known for his role in Will & Grace, delivers a captivating performance
In the heart of London, the Barbican Theatre is currently hosting a captivating production of Doug Wright's Goodnight, Oscar. Starring Sean Hayes, the play has been receiving rave reviews since its premiere at Broadway in 2023.
Goodnight, Oscar is a compelling dramatization of the true story of Oscar Levant, a talented yet troubled pianist, comedian, and actor. The play takes place on a chaotic night in 1958, when Levant, having just been released from a psychiatric hospital, appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jack Paar.
Sean Hayes, who won the 2023 Tony Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Levant, reprises his role in the Barbican production. Ben Rappaport plays the charismatic Jack Paar, while Rosalie Craig portrays June Levant, Oscar's wife, with warmth and the painful loyalty of those loving someone with mental illness and addiction.
The play critiques the exploitation of vulnerable public figures by media and the beginnings of celebrity culture as we know it. It sensitively portrays Levant's mental illness and addiction, showing the impact on his wife and himself. The fine line between creative brilliance and psychological breakdown is central, underscored by Levant's witty, self-destructive personality.
The production invites reflection on the early TV era’s live, risky atmosphere and how personalities like Paar shaped modern broadcast entertainment. Goodnight, Oscar has been compared to other West End hits like Network, Best of Enemies, and The Motive and The Cue.
Hayes' performance in Goodnight, Oscar is described as magnetic, with a series of one-liners that leave audiences in stitches. However, the emotional depth of the play lies in the small snippets of time spent with Levant in private, where we briefly see a glimpse of his darkness.
David Burnett delivers a fabulously creepy performance as George Gershwin, one of Levant's hallucinated figures. The play presents a defense mechanism of Levant that relies on sharp wit, a mechanism that Levant uses even in his most vulnerable moments.
Goodnight, Oscar is playing until 21 September; tickets can be purchased at barbican.org.uk. This production is not to be missed for those seeking a thought-provoking and entertaining night at the theatre.
Politics and movies-and-tv intersect with the production of Goodnight, Oscar at the Barbican Theatre, as the play takes a critical look at the beginnings of celebrity culture and the impact on vulnerable public figures. Throughout the production, entertainment and entertainment industry practices are examined, offering insight into the power dynamics and societal norms that have evolved over time.
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