Sean Hayes is following in the footsteps of Will And Grace co-star Eric McCormack by making his debut as an actor on the London stage.
The American star, known for playing McCormack’s outlandish friend Jack McFarland in the sitcom, will reprise his Tony Award-winning performance as a Hollywood actor and concert pianist in Good Night, Oscar at the Barbican Theatre.
Last year, McCormack – known for playing Will Truman in Will And Grace – made his West End debut in the musical Wild About You, at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
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.”
Hayes won a 2023 Tony leading actor in a play gong for the production which sees him play Levant, an American composer, talk show host and actor who starred in An American In Paris, and who also struggled with mental health issues.
The play is set in 1958, and sees former Tonight show host Jack Paar interview Levant, known for the quote: “There’s a fine line between genius and insanity; I have erased this line.”
It is written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Doug Wright, known for the Quills play and film and Grey Gardens musical, and directed by Lisa Peterson, and explores “fame, artistry and the fragility of genius”.
Wright said: “Good Night, Oscar was one of my very happiest Broadway experiences, and a richly satisfying collaboration with the celebrated Sean Hayes and our director Lisa Peterson.
“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 said: “We are delighted to be bringing Good Night, Oscar to the Barbican this summer.
“Following the huge success of our previous summer productions, including Anything Goes, A Strange Loop and Kiss Me, Kate, the Barbican summer has become a highly anticipated fixture in London’s theatrical calendar.
“With the addition of Good Night, Oscar alongside our recently announced Fiddler On The Roof, this season once again promises world-class storytelling and unforgettable performances.”
Hayes starred in Will And Grace from 1998 to 2006, and returned for the reboot – which aired from 2017 to 2020 – along with McCormack, Megan Mullally, who played rich neighbour Karen Walker, and Debra Messing as the uptight Grace Adler.
He won an Emmy for his performance, and was nominated multiple times for Golden Globes.
Hayes recently portrayed Larry David’s lawyer in the final season of Curb Your Enthusiasm, and is set to appear in action thriller The Running Man, and Bradley Cooper-directed Is This Thing On?
Good Night, Oscar will run from July 31 to September 21 at the Barbican Theatre.
