Sean Hayes Makes London Theatre Debut in Good Night, Oscar
at the 2017 NBC Summer TCA Press Tour, Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA 08-03-17
London – In a move that sees him following in the footsteps of his Will & Grace co-star Eric McCormack, American actor Sean Hayes is set to make his West End debut this summer. Known for his role as Jack McFarland on Will & Grace, Hayes will reprise his Tony Award-winning performance as Hollywood actor and concert pianist Oscar Levant in the new play Good Night, Oscar at the Barbican Theatre.
Last year, McCormack made his London theatre debut in the musical Wild About You at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Now, Hayes is eager to bring his acclaimed portrayal to British audiences. “It’s thrilling to be making my West End debut at the Barbican this summer with Good Night, Oscar. I’m eager to introduce one of the all-time greats, Oscar Levant, to the UK,” Hayes said. “The response we received on Broadway was incredible, and I’m hoping British audiences will appreciate the history of this fascinating man.”
Hayes’ performance, which earned him a 2023 Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Play, centers on Oscar Levant—a multifaceted American composer, talk show host, and actor renowned for his razor-sharp wit and struggles with mental health. Set in 1958, the play features a fictional interview with former Tonight Show host Jack Paar, capturing the essence of Levant’s quip: “There’s a fine line between genius and insanity; I have erased this line.”
Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Doug Wright and directed by Lisa Peterson, Good Night, Oscar explores themes of fame, artistry, and the fragility of genius. “Good Night, Oscar was one of my very happiest Broadway experiences,” said Wright. “I can’t wait to introduce the irascible, indefatigable whirlwind that was Oscar Levant to London audiences. He’d be thrilled to play the Barbican, even posthumously.”
Producer Howard Panter added, “We are delighted to be bringing Good Night, Oscar to the Barbican this summer. Following the success of our previous summer productions like Anything Goes, A Strange Loop, and Kiss Me, Kate, the Barbican summer has become a highly anticipated fixture in London’s theatrical calendar.”
Sean Hayes, widely recognised for his Emmy-winning performance on Will & Grace and his recent roles in Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Running Man, and Bradley Cooper-directed Is This Thing On?, will appear in Good Night, Oscar from July 31 to September 21 at the Barbican Theatre.
London theatre enthusiasts can look forward to a captivating exploration of an iconic figure in American cultural history as Hayes brings Oscar Levant to life on stage.
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