Journey back in time with us as we walk the line between the fantasy and reality of one infamous night in Good Night, Oscar.
It’s 1958, and Jack Paar hosts the hottest late-night talk show on television. His favorite guest? Master of wit, 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. Hot off of Broadway, 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.
Executive Producers for Good Night, Oscar
Carey Bond and Henry Lambert
Janet and Stanwood Duval
Thomas Schulingkamp
Sandy and Mackie Shilstone
Written by Doug Wright.
 Michael Paternostro as Oscar Levant |
 L-R Leslie Castay & Kevin Wheatley |
 L-R Michael Paternostro & Zane Syjansky |
Groups of 10 or more receive a 20% discount. For group sales use code GROUP before choosing your seats where it says “Apply Promo Code” or contact the Box Office at boxoffice@lepetittheatre.com or 504.522.2081 x1. You can also click here to have the discount directly applied.
Run time is approximately 2 hours 15 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission.
Please be advised that there is cigarette smoke and fog effects in this show, along with some coarse language. Recommended for teens and up.
Production photos by Brittney Werner. Production video by Concept 13 Studios.
GOOD NIGHT, OSCAR is presented through special arrangement with TRW PLAYS 1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 640, New York, NY 10036. www.trwplays.com
Le Petit programming is supported in part by Joy and Boysie Bollinger, The Eugenie and Joseph Jones Family Foundation, The RosaMary Foundation, The Rosemary B. and Brunswick G. Deutsch Foundation for Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre, The Selley Foundation, and The Shubert Foundation. Programming is also supported in part by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council. Funding has also been provided by the National Endowment for the Arts. Sponsored in part by WWNO 89.9 FM.
Cast
(in alphabetical order)
Leslie Castay …………….. June Levant
Michael Paternostro …….. Oscar Levant
KC Simms ………………… Alvin Finney
Nick Strauss ……………… Bob Sarnoff
Zane Syjansky …………… Max Weinbaum
Kevin Wheatley ………….. Jack Paar
Reid Williams …………….. George Gershwin
Creative Team
A.J. Allegra …………………………… Director
Makaylee Secrest ………………… Asst. Director
Steve Schepker ……………………. Scenic Designer
Daniel Rigamer ……………………. Costume Designer
Dan Zimmer ………………………….. Lighting Designer
Jamie Doyle …………………………… Sound Designer
Lauring Hart …………………………. Wig/Hair Designer
Deborah Bommer-Morrisey … Properties Designer
Sarah Chatelain ……………………. Prod. Stage Manager
Ryan Wiles ……………………………. Asst. Stage Manager
Reviews
Brad Rhines wrote in his review for The Times-Picayune/nola.com, “The play’s signature moment is a nearly 10-minute rendition of Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” performed with drama and gusto by Paternostro (yes, he’s really playing!) on a sleek black baby grand.” Read the full review here.
Check out Michael Paternostro (Oscar Levant) on Steppin’ Out, including a snippet of “Rhapsody in Blue” starting at the 13:50 mark. Watch it here.
Leslie Castay (June Levant) and Michael Paternostro (Oscar Levant) visited Fox 8’s Morning Edition and talked with Shelby Latino about Good Night, Oscar. Check out their interview here.
Will Coviello spoke with A.J. Allegra (Artistic Director) about Good Night, Oscar for Gambit. Read his article here.
Victor Andrews previewed Good Night, Oscar on nola.com. Read his article here.
Good Night, Oscar write-up in The New Orleans 100. Read it here.
Read all about Good Night, Oscar on Broadway World’s website here.
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