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Good Night, Oscar
Tony Award-winner Sean Hayes reprises his knockout Broadway role as Oscar Levant in this dazzling, darkly funny drama arriving at London’s Barbican Theatre.
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The Wit, The Genius, The Breakdown—Live on Air
It’s 1958. The Tonight Show with Jack Paar is the most talked-about show on television—and tonight’s guest is the unpredictable, quick-witted, and infamously brilliant Oscar Levant.
In Good Night, Oscar, written by Pulitzer Prize winner Doug Wright, Emmy and Tony Award-winner Sean Hayes plays Levant, a man whose brilliance at the piano is matched only by his razor-sharp tongue and deeply troubled mind. As the live taping unfolds, what begins as a light-hearted TV appearance spirals into a gripping, unscripted confrontation with fame, mental illness, and personal demons.
Following its critically acclaimed Broadway run, this provocative and poignant play makes its West End premiere for a strictly limited seven-week season at the Barbican.
Description
The Wit, The Genius, The Breakdown—Live on Air
It’s 1958. The Tonight Show with Jack Paar is the most talked-about show on television—and tonight’s guest is the unpredictable, quick-witted, and infamously brilliant Oscar Levant.
In Good Night, Oscar, written by Pulitzer Prize winner Doug Wright, Emmy and Tony Award-winner Sean Hayes plays Levant, a man whose brilliance at the piano is matched only by his razor-sharp tongue and deeply troubled mind. As the live taping unfolds, what begins as a light-hearted TV appearance spirals into a gripping, unscripted confrontation with fame, mental illness, and personal demons.
Following its critically acclaimed Broadway run, this provocative and poignant play makes its West End premiere for a strictly limited seven-week season at the Barbican.
Description
The Wit, The Genius, The Breakdown—Live on Air
It’s 1958. The Tonight Show with Jack Paar is the most talked-about show on television—and tonight’s guest is the unpredictable, quick-witted, and infamously brilliant Oscar Levant.
In Good Night, Oscar, written by Pulitzer Prize winner Doug Wright, Emmy and Tony Award-winner Sean Hayes plays Levant, a man whose brilliance at the piano is matched only by his razor-sharp tongue and deeply troubled mind. As the live taping unfolds, what begins as a light-hearted TV appearance spirals into a gripping, unscripted confrontation with fame, mental illness, and personal demons.
Following its critically acclaimed Broadway run, this provocative and poignant play makes its West End premiere for a strictly limited seven-week season at the Barbican.
Know before you go
Dates: 31 July – 21 September 2025
Venue: Barbican Theatre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS
Running Time: 1 hour 40 minutes (no interval)
Age Guidance: 12+
Performance Schedule:
Wed–Sat: 7:00pm
Thu & Sat: 2:30pm
Sun: 3:00pm
Additional: Tue 5 August at 7:00pm
Know before you go
Dates: 31 July – 21 September 2025
Venue: Barbican Theatre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS
Running Time: 1 hour 40 minutes (no interval)
Age Guidance: 12+
Performance Schedule:
Wed–Sat: 7:00pm
Thu & Sat: 2:30pm
Sun: 3:00pm
Additional: Tue 5 August at 7:00pm
Know before you go
Dates: 31 July – 21 September 2025
Venue: Barbican Theatre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS
Running Time: 1 hour 40 minutes (no interval)
Age Guidance: 12+
Performance Schedule:
Wed–Sat: 7:00pm
Thu & Sat: 2:30pm
Sun: 3:00pm
Additional: Tue 5 August at 7:00pm
Visitor guidelines
Arrival: Please arrive 30 minutes before the performance starts.
Accessibility:
BSL Interpreted: Sat 23 Aug, 2:30pm
Audio Described: Fri 5 Sept, 7:00pm
Captioned: Wed 27 Aug, 7:00pm
Dress Code: Smart casual attire is welcome.
Prohibited Items: No photography or recording permitted during the performance.
Refreshments: Bar and snacks available onsite.
Visitor guidelines
Arrival: Please arrive 30 minutes before the performance starts.
Accessibility:
BSL Interpreted: Sat 23 Aug, 2:30pm
Audio Described: Fri 5 Sept, 7:00pm
Captioned: Wed 27 Aug, 7:00pm
Dress Code: Smart casual attire is welcome.
Prohibited Items: No photography or recording permitted during the performance.
Refreshments: Bar and snacks available onsite.
Visitor guidelines
Arrival: Please arrive 30 minutes before the performance starts.
Accessibility:
BSL Interpreted: Sat 23 Aug, 2:30pm
Audio Described: Fri 5 Sept, 7:00pm
Captioned: Wed 27 Aug, 7:00pm
Dress Code: Smart casual attire is welcome.
Prohibited Items: No photography or recording permitted during the performance.
Refreshments: Bar and snacks available onsite.
Cast and creatives
Cast
Oscar Levant: Sean Hayes
Jack Paar: Ben Rappaport
George Gershwin: David Burnett
Alvin Finney: Daniel Adeosun
Bob Sarnoff: Richard Katz
Max Weinbaum: Eric Sirakian
Understudies: Max Roll, Tashinga Bepete, Ben Butler, Charlotte Hunter, Ryan Speakman
Creative Team
Writer: Doug Wright
Director: Lisa Peterson
Cast and creatives
Cast
Oscar Levant: Sean Hayes
Jack Paar: Ben Rappaport
George Gershwin: David Burnett
Alvin Finney: Daniel Adeosun
Bob Sarnoff: Richard Katz
Max Weinbaum: Eric Sirakian
Understudies: Max Roll, Tashinga Bepete, Ben Butler, Charlotte Hunter, Ryan Speakman
Creative Team
Writer: Doug Wright
Director: Lisa Peterson
Cast and creatives
Cast
Oscar Levant: Sean Hayes
Jack Paar: Ben Rappaport
George Gershwin: David Burnett
Alvin Finney: Daniel Adeosun
Bob Sarnoff: Richard Katz
Max Weinbaum: Eric Sirakian
Understudies: Max Roll, Tashinga Bepete, Ben Butler, Charlotte Hunter, Ryan Speakman
Creative Team
Writer: Doug Wright
Director: Lisa Peterson
Awards
2023 Tony Award: Best Leading Actor in a Play – Sean Hayes
Awards
2023 Tony Award: Best Leading Actor in a Play – Sean Hayes
Awards
2023 Tony Award: Best Leading Actor in a Play – Sean Hayes
Frequently asked questions
When does Good Night, Oscar open in London?
Performances begin 31 July 2025, with the final show on 21 September.
Where is it being staged?
At the Barbican Theatre, London.
Is it the same production as on Broadway?
Yes, the acclaimed Broadway production transfers with original stars Sean Hayes and Ben Rappaport.
How long is the show?
It runs for 1 hour and 40 minutes with no interval.
Is there an age recommendation?
Yes, the show is suitable for ages 12 and above.
Will there be accessible performances?
Yes – BSL, Audio Described, and Captioned performances are scheduled (see “Visitor Guidelines”).
Frequently asked questions
When does Good Night, Oscar open in London?
Performances begin 31 July 2025, with the final show on 21 September.
Where is it being staged?
At the Barbican Theatre, London.
Is it the same production as on Broadway?
Yes, the acclaimed Broadway production transfers with original stars Sean Hayes and Ben Rappaport.
How long is the show?
It runs for 1 hour and 40 minutes with no interval.
Is there an age recommendation?
Yes, the show is suitable for ages 12 and above.
Will there be accessible performances?
Yes – BSL, Audio Described, and Captioned performances are scheduled (see “Visitor Guidelines”).
Frequently asked questions
When does Good Night, Oscar open in London?
Performances begin 31 July 2025, with the final show on 21 September.
Where is it being staged?
At the Barbican Theatre, London.
Is it the same production as on Broadway?
Yes, the acclaimed Broadway production transfers with original stars Sean Hayes and Ben Rappaport.
How long is the show?
It runs for 1 hour and 40 minutes with no interval.
Is there an age recommendation?
Yes, the show is suitable for ages 12 and above.
Will there be accessible performances?
Yes – BSL, Audio Described, and Captioned performances are scheduled (see “Visitor Guidelines”).
In The Barbican
Venue address
Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS
Venue address
Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS
Venue address
Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS
How to get there
Metro
Barbican, Moorgate
Train
Liverpool Street
Parking:
Barbican car Park
How to get there
Metro
Barbican, Moorgate
Train
Liverpool Street
Parking:
Barbican car Park
How to get there
Metro
Barbican, Moorgate
Train
Liverpool Street
Parking:
Barbican car Park
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