News: Sean Hayes to make West End acting debut this summer

Emmy and Tony Award-winner Sean Hayes (Will & Grace) will reprise his much-lauded Tony Award-winning performance in Good Night, Oscar at the Barbican Theatre this summer. Direct from a critically acclaimed Broadway run, this strictly limited seven-week season runs from 31 July until 21 September. Tickets will go on general sale at 10.00am on Thursday 6 February from GoodNightOscar.com.

Sean Hayes will make his West End debut in this new play by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Doug Wright, playing Oscar Levant: Hollywood actor, concert pianist, and the most subversive wit ever to appear on television during its Golden Age. 

It’s 1958, and Jack Paar hosts the hottest late-night talk-show on television. His favourite guest? Wild card Oscar Levant. Famous for his witty one-liners, Oscar has a favourite: “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.

Sean Hayes said: “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. The response we received on Broadway was incredible and I’m hoping British audiences will appreciate the history of this fascinating man – a multi-faceted pioneer, from concert pianist to infamous raconteur. It’s an honour to bring this production to London.”

Further casting will be announced soon.

Hayes is currently filming The Running Man for Paramount and will begin production on Is This Thing On, directed by Bradley Cooper, later this year.

Photo: Joan Marcus

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