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| Brief thoughts on Good Night, Oscar with Sean Hayes (Goodman - Chicago) | |
| Posted by: PlazaBoy 11:53 pm EDT 03/16/22 | |
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| Since this is a new play, I imagine it will change between now and what seems like an inevitable Broadway transfer. It is still in very early previews, in good shape, but appropriately still needs some work. The play is a showcase for Sean Hayes as Oscar Levant. He’s giving a performance that will divide people. Some will says he’s incredible and some will say he’s over the top. I thought he was amazing. Heartbreaking, playing all the OCD and addictive behavior of his character. A man consumed by his demons. I was sitting in the first row and his intensity from the time he hit the stage until curtain was impressive. Strong performances from period perfect Emily Bergl (as Oscar's Wife) and Peter Grosz (Bob Sarnoff.) Less successful is Ben Rappaport s Jack Paar. He never quite captures the wit and charm of Parr, but this is an early preview so he's got time. It’s an elegantly designed show and well directed by Lisa Peterson. The climatic scene, while not exactly a spoiler, is something I will not reveal here. It was impressive and I'm glad it was a surprise to me. At this point, I'd say the show is worthwhile, but not a must see. |
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| re: Brief thoughts on Good Night, Oscar with Sean Hayes (Goodman - Chicago) | |
| Posted by: shocktheatre 11:06 pm EDT 03/17/22 | |
| In reply to: Brief thoughts on Good Night, Oscar with Sean Hayes (Goodman - Chicago) - PlazaBoy 11:53 pm EDT 03/16/22 | |
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| This is something I would like to see. I think Hayes could pull it off, if the play is well-written and the director puts just enough a rein on Hayes. Levant was a VERY complex man and I've always been fascinated by him. | |
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| re: Brief thoughts on Good Night, Oscar with Sean Hayes (Goodman - Chicago) | |
| Posted by: PlazaBoy 02:47 pm EDT 03/18/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Brief thoughts on Good Night, Oscar with Sean Hayes (Goodman - Chicago) - shocktheatre 11:06 pm EDT 03/17/22 | |
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| If you are fascinated by Levant, I'd highly recommended it. I think you'll find much to enjoy in Hayes and the play. The play could use some tightening and needs a better final scene, but that may come. | |
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| re: Brief thoughts on Good Night, Oscar with Sean Hayes (Goodman - Chicago) | |
| Posted by: showtunetrivia 11:45 am EDT 03/17/22 | |
| In reply to: Brief thoughts on Good Night, Oscar with Sean Hayes (Goodman - Chicago) - PlazaBoy 11:53 pm EDT 03/16/22 | |
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| Damn, I wish I could see this, as Oscar Levant is a significant supporting character in my novel (and it was so much fun to write his dialogue, I had to restrain myself). Plus, I’m a huge Doug Wright fan. Back in 2017, at the Falcon Theatre here in LA, I saw Dan Castellaneta in a play he wrote and starred in, FOR PIANO AND HARPO. This was inspired by the real life (and weird) relationship between Levant and Harpo Marx. The show lacked focus, but Castellaneta’s take on Oscar was excellent. Laura |
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| re: Brief thoughts on Good Night, Oscar with Sean Hayes (Goodman - Chicago) | |
| Posted by: Phaedrusnyc 11:12 am EDT 03/17/22 | |
| In reply to: Brief thoughts on Good Night, Oscar with Sean Hayes (Goodman - Chicago) - PlazaBoy 11:53 pm EDT 03/16/22 | |
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| I guess at this point no one is assumed to know who Oscar Levant was, what he looked like and sounded like, so maybe it doesn't matter. But when I first heard about this my thought was that Sean Hayes' performing style is about as far away from Levant's drollery as I could imagine. | |
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| re: Brief thoughts on Good Night, Oscar with Sean Hayes (Goodman - Chicago) | |
| Posted by: PlazaBoy 03:06 pm EDT 03/17/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Brief thoughts on Good Night, Oscar with Sean Hayes (Goodman - Chicago) - Phaedrusnyc 11:12 am EDT 03/17/22 | |
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| Yes, I chatted with a few people after the show. No one seemed to know much about Levant. I see your point about Hayes. He's immersed himself in the role, but again, in a way that some people will dislike. He'll be accused of being too broad, too on the nose imitative, etc.. Others will say he's brilliant. The other aspect of the show that will cause conflicting opinions is whether the viewer experiences it as a comedy or a drama. To me, it was very much a drama with comedy, all in the form of Levnat's repartee. I'm guessing some real and some invented. From post-show chatter, I could tell some found it to be a comedy. I heard a few "that was fun." That would not be the way I would describe the show. It got a standing ovation, which is more rare in Chicago than on Broadway, so I attach some meaning to that. |
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| re: Brief thoughts on Good Night, Oscar with Sean Hayes (Goodman - Chicago) | |
| Posted by: lowwriter 07:54 am EDT 03/17/22 | |
| In reply to: Brief thoughts on Good Night, Oscar with Sean Hayes (Goodman - Chicago) - PlazaBoy 11:53 pm EDT 03/16/22 | |
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| A friend of mine saw it and loved Hayes’s performance and the play. | |
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| Harpo Marx's autobiography-HARPO SPEAKS- has significant passages about their relationship | |
| Posted by: NJGUY 01:38 pm EDT 03/17/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Brief thoughts on Good Night, Oscar with Sean Hayes (Goodman - Chicago) - lowwriter 07:54 am EDT 03/17/22 | |
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| And is also a well-written and worthwhile read. | |
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| re: Harpo Marx's autobiography-HARPO SPEAKS- has significant passages about their relationship | |
| Posted by: showtunetrivia 02:47 pm EDT 03/17/22 | |
| In reply to: Harpo Marx's autobiography-HARPO SPEAKS- has significant passages about their relationship - NJGUY 01:38 pm EDT 03/17/22 | |
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| I agree. I read it as part of my Levant research, and it’s central to the Castellaneta show I mention above. Minnie’s boys were pretty good with their pens, too. Laura |
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