GOOD NIGHT, OSCAR at Farmers Alley Theatre

After successful partnerships in the past with the Gilmore, (Sondheim on Sondheim, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, Liberace!), we are thrilled to bring in a cavalcade of talented artists to tell this unique and timely story based on true events. Audiences have already made their voice heard and have demanded a 3rd weekend of shows April 30-May 2, just added to the Farmers Alley Theatre Box Office.

It’s 1958, and Jack Paar (Drew Parker) hosts the hottest late-night talk-show on television. His favorite guest? Character actor, pianist and wild card Oscar Levant (David Corlew). 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. 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.

“Incredible! GOOD NIGHT, OSCAR is a captivating work, as hysterically funny as it is heartbreaking.”- New York Stage Review

“A GOLD MINE! GOOD NIGHT, OSCAR is a play ostensibly about pianist, composer, and noted wit Oscar Levant through whom the show offers commentaries on the nature and burden of genius, exploitation of mental illness, and the polarizing roles of comedy and the media in our society.”- Entertainment Weekly

Directing our production of Good Night, Oscar is Detroit artist Suzanne Regan. A Resident Artist at the Purple Rose Theatre Company in Chelsea, MI, Suzanne has worked on a multitude productions there including Apartment 3A, Rain Dance and this summer’s upcoming Emma’s Weddings. Suzanne will be leading an extremely talented cast which stars David Corlew as Oscar Levant and Drew Parker as Jack Parr. The rest of the cast includes professionals Atis Kleinbergs, Delanti Hall, Jacob Tyler Reinstein, Jackson Medina and Veronica Dark.

Executive Director Rob Weiner had this to say about the production, “Farmers Alley Theatre is once again so thrilled to be collaborating with the Gilmore Piano Festival with this Tony-Winning play. I really think audiences will find this story compelling & timely in today’s celebrity obsessed-culture. The show is witty, smart, and fast,” Weiner continued, “And the finale is an amazing performance of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue that will be talked about for years to come. I can’t wait for festivalgoers to meet Oscar.”

Good Night, Oscar is generously supported by our Season Sponsors The Tyler Little Family Foundation  and the Schupan Family; Season co-sponsors Jack & Andy Hopkins and First National Bank of Michigan;  and by our production sponsors: Greenleaf Trust, Al Garcia & Sandra Edwards, Judy Jolliffe, and Carolyn  H. Williams.