By Doug Wright, Directed by Lisa Peterson
Featuring Sean Hayes as Oscar Levant
“Hilariously Funny”
– Chicago Tribune
Good Night, Oscar
Mar 12 – Apr 24, 2022 in Goodman's Albert Theatre
1 hour and 40 minutes with no intermission
Anything can happen on live TV. And one night, it did. Emmy Award-winning actor and producer Sean Hayes (Will & Grace) stars as the irrepressible Oscar Levant.
It’s 1958, and Jack Paar hosts the hottest late-night talk-show on television. His favorite guest? Character actor, pianist and wild card Oscar Levant. Famous for his witty one-liners, Oscar has a favorite: “There’s a fine line between genius and insanity; I have erased this line.” Tonight, Oscar will prove just that when he appears live on national TV in an episode that Paar’s audience—and the rest of America—won’t soon forget. Good Night, Oscar explores the nexus of humor and heartbreak, the ever-dwindling distinction between exploitation and entertainment, and the high cost of baring one’s soul for public consumption.
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Please note: Proof of vaccination with an FDA or WHO-authorized vaccine is required for all guests. Masks are required at all times and patrons under 5 are not permitted. Learn more at GoodmanTheatre.org/Protocols.
Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Doug Wright discusses his new play, Good Night, Oscar. On stage through April 24.
Good Night, Oscar, on stage now through April 24!
Director Lisa Peterson discusses the “biting, surprising and funny” new play, Good Night, Oscar.
Sean Hayes explores his connection to the irrepressible Oscar Levant.
Sean Hayes (Oscar Levant) on the plot of Good Night, Oscar.
Ben Rappaport and Sean Hayes in Good Night, Oscar.
Photo by Liz Lauren.
Emily Bergl and Sean Hayes in Good Night, Oscar.
Photo by Liz Lauren.
Ben Rappaport, Sean Hayes and Peter Grosz in Good Night, Oscar.
Photo by Liz Lauren.
Sean Hayes as Oscar Levant in Good Night, Oscar.
Photo by Liz Lauren.
Ethan Slater in Good Night, Oscar.
Photo by Liz Lauren.
Sean Hayes and Tramell Tillman in Good Night, Oscar.
Photo by Liz Lauren.
John Zdrojeski and Sean Hayes in Good Night, Oscar.
Photo by Liz Lauren.
Critical Praise
“THE BEST REASON TO HEAD BACK INTO THE LOOP TO LAUGH SINCE THE PANDEMIC”
Chicago Tribune
“A BRILLIANT NEW PLAY…HILARIOUS AND HEARTBREAKING”
Newcity
SEAN HAYES “GIVES AN OUTSTANDING AND MULTI-FACETED PERFORMANCE”
Chicago Sun-Times
“A MUST-SEE!”
WGN-TV
SEAN HAYES “DELIVERS FAR MORE THAN LAUGH LINES”
Chicago Reader
“A STUNNER OF A LEAD PERFORMANCE: MOVING, EMPATHETIC, DEEPLY EMOTIONAL AND SLIGHTLY TERRIFYING”
Chicago Tribune
A “VIRTUOSO PERFORMANCE” BY SEAN HAYES
Newcity
GOOD NIGHT, OSCAR “CAPTURES JUST THE RIGHT BALANCE OF HUMOR AND PATHOS.”
Chicago Sun-Times
“DIRECTED TO PERFECTION BY LISA PETERSON”
Around the Town Chicago
Audience Feedback
Amazing. Outstanding. Brilliant. I could go on. I’d love to see it again.
Diane M. via Facebook
Sheer magic. Brought me to tears more than once!
@laurie_runge via Twitter
Sean Hayes is unrecognizable & brilliant in this. Don’t miss this show! Bravo!
@mluckritz1830 via Instagram
I haven’t been moved by an actor [Sean Hayes] like that…possibly ever.
@foundingmo via Twitter
Excellent performance. One of the best I’ve seen in all the years I’ve been attending plays at the Goodman.
Linda K. via Email
It is mind boggling in its brilliance.
Connie D. via Facebook
Artists
ZZZ TEST WYSIWYG
-
“The best reason to head back into the Loop to laugh since the pandemic”
– Chicago Tribune
-
“A brilliant new play…hilarious and heartbreaking”
– Newcity
-
Sean Hayes “gives an outstanding and multi-faceted performance”
– Chicago Sun-Times
-
“A Must-See!”
– WGN-TV
-
SEAN HAYES “DELIVERS FAR MORE THAN LAUGH LINES”
– Chicago Reader
-
“A STUNNER OF A LEAD PERFORMANCE: MOVING, EMPATHETIC, DEEPLY EMOTIONAL AND SLIGHTLY TERRIFYING”
– Chicago Tribune
-
A “virtuoso performance” by Sean Hayes
– Newcity
-
Good Night, Oscar “captures just the right balance of humor and pathos.”
– Chicago Sun-Times
-
“Directed to perfection by Lisa Peterson”
– Around the Town Chicago
ZZZ TEST WYISIWYG 2
-
Amazing. Outstanding. Brilliant. I could go on. I’d love to see it again.
Diane M. via Facebook
-
Sheer magic. Brought me to tears more than once!
@laurie_runge via Facebook
-
Sean Hayes is unrecognizable & brilliant in this. Don’t miss this show! Bravo!
@mluckritz1830 via Instagram
-
I haven’t been moved by an actor [Sean Hayes] like that…possibly ever.
@foundingmo via Facebook
-
Excellent performance. One of the best I’ve seen in all the years I’ve been attending plays at the Goodman.
Linda K. via Email
-
It is mind boggling in its brilliance.
Connie D. via Facebook
ZZZTEST Artists block using ACF fields