Asolo Rep's Good Night, Oscar

SARASOTA — On Friday, the Asolo Repertory Theatre debuted its regional premiere of Doug Wright's 2023 Broadway hit Good Night, Oscar at the Mertz Theatre in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts.

The play is set in 1958, when Jack Paar was the host of The Tonight Show. It's sweeps week, and the Manhattan-based program is being broadcast from Hollywood. The executives are pushing for a safe musical guest, but Paar wants the reliably witty banter of his old friend, pianist Oscar Levent. There's only one problem: Oscar's wife recently had him committed.

Taking place entirely over the course of that evening, Good Night, Oscar is a fast-paced, drum-tight dramedy imbued with such realism that theatergoers will momentarily forget that they are not the actual studio audience for the variety show. Robert Perdziola has designed a majestic set with elegant costumes that further aid in such transportation.

As goes Oscar, so goes the play. Sean Hayes—best known as Jack from television’s Will & Grace—famously won a Tony for his portrayal of Levent during its Broadway run. For its production, Asolo struck gold in casting Max Roll, who was Hayes’ understudy on Broadway. Roll captures the manic and neurotic artist perfectly in a downright brilliant performance that includes a jaw-dropping rendition of Rhapsody in Blue.

Sasha Andreev continues an outstanding season with a spot-on turn as Paar, while Asolo veteran David Breitbarth returns with a typically brilliant performance as NBC executive Bob Sarnoff. Harris Milgrim makes a strong Asolo debut as the mental manifestation of Oscar’s old pal George Gershwin, from under whose shadow he cannot seem to emerge. Gail Rastorfer returns to Asolo’s stage in good form as Oscar’s wife, June, while Ibukun Omotowa and Jonathan Acosta shine in supporting roles.

Good Night, Oscar is a theatrical triumph that more than lives up to its Broadway accolades on the Asolo stage. Directed by Peter Amster, it runs through April 26. Visit the Asolo website for schedule and ticket information.