WELL ABOVE PAAR FOR THE COURSE

David Corlew gives a gripping performance as Oscar Levant in
this darkly funny and increasingly tense backstage drama

Brian Mackey & David Corlew

To put it mildly, Oscar Levant, the brilliant mid-century pianist known equally for his Oscar Wilde-like wit (“I knew Doris Day before she was a virgin”), wasn’t a happy-go-lucky kind of guy. As sometimes accompanies that level of intense musical genius, Levant was plagued by personal struggles, including manic depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, debilitating neuroses, and addiction to painkillers like Demerol. The piano virtuoso was frequently an inpatient at mental hospitals while being sought after for in-person and television appearances. Levant was an actor (An American in Paris) and a skilled and popular interpreter of George Gershwin’s music — he was the first to record Rhapsody in Blue after Gershwin, with whom he was a close friend.

Brian Mackey, Wyatt VanHazel, & Jason Maddy

Doug Wright’s utterly gripping Good Night, Oscar centers on one night in 1955 when the original host of The Tonight Show, Jack Paar (Brian Mackey), secures Oscar (David Corlew) for a short interview and a piano performance during a ratings sweep week. Jack is convinced the edgy Oscar will be a fascinating guest as usual, plus America is captivated by his dynamic musical stylings. Tonight Show producer Bob Sarnoff (Jason Maddy) does want big ratings but believes that Levant’s reputation for being erratic and downright inappropriate on-air isn’t worth the risk that night, despite Paar’s assurances. What Paar doesn’t know is that Levant is currently an inpatient at a mental asylum and his wife June (Megan Carmitchel) is sneaking him out on a four-hour pass, supposedly to attend his daughter’s graduation. The play is the fictionalized account of the true-life difficulties backstage and finally onstage that fateful night.

David Corlew

Before breaking it down, here’s the bottom line: This is a gripping, relentless story with a strikingly intense performance by Corlew and a solid cast around him, building to one of the most astounding live piano performances I’ve ever seen. His Levant is tremendously uncomfortable to watch − in all the best ways. Oscar’s mental arguments with the long-since-dead George Gershwin (Jay DeYonker) are heartbreaking; his awkward but tender love for June is palpable; Jack’s respect and loyalty to Oscar are moving. Director Tom Frey accelerates and slams on the brakes over and over, building the tension that isn’t released until the end of the 100 minutes.

David Corlew (seated), Wyatt VanHazel, Brian Mackey, Jason Maddy, Isiaiah Frazilus & Megan Carmitchel

Although Corlew is certainly the focus, rarely leaving the stage after his entrance early on, Carmitchel is powerful as a woman in a man’s world, asserting as much control as possible within the insanity around her. After her riveting lead performance in The Rise and Fall of Little Voice last June (still my favorite San Diego show of 2026), she steps into a decidedly different character with power and finesse. Mackey provides both a steadying presence and needed humor to the consummate professionalism of Jack Paar. And while Gershwin wasn’t the beast that DeYonker deliciously plays him to be, as a drug-induced, hallucinatory fantasy in the mind of the envious Levant, it sure does make for great theatre.

Megan Carmitchel, Brian Mackey & Jason Maddy

Michael Wogulis’s simple and flexible stage works well for this production, which doesn’t call for big bells and whistles, while Elisa Benzoni’s costumes and Peter Herman’s wig on Carmitchel help set the 1950s mood.

If you were a fan of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, especially the scenes with Miriam and Lenny Bruce, aspects of this program are reminiscent of those plot points, though decidedly darker.

Isaiah Frazilus & David Corlew

North Coast Rep chose well in taking on Wright’s script for its West Coast debut (Sean Hayes won a Tony playing the title role on Broadway in 2022), and Corlew’s performance will create quite a buzz, ensuring a successful run to kick off NCR’s 45th season.

David Corlew and Jay DeYonker

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photos by Aaron Rumley

Good Night, Oscar
North Coast Repertory Theatre
987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive in Solana Beach
Wed–Fri at 7; Sat at 2 & 8; Sun at 2 & 7; Wed at 2 (Oct 7)
ends on Oct. 18, 2026
100 minutes, no intermission
for tickets, call 858.481.1055 or visit North Coast Rep

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