Genius, insanity and fame collide in WaterTower Theatre's ‘Good Night, Oscar'

The show by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and Dallas native Doug Wright is playing at the Addison-based theater through April 12.

Oscar Levant once said, "There is a fine line between genius and insanity, I have erased that line." In Good Night, Oscar, now playing at WaterTower Theatre through April 12 at The Addison Performing Arts Centre, audiences will experience what erasing that line might have looked like on live national television in the 1950s.

From the 1920s to the 1960s, Oscar Levant was a brilliant staple of American culture, beloved as a concert pianist, composer, conductor, game show panelist, talk show host, actor, comedian and author. He also struggled with his mental health, and he was open about it decades before celebrities publicly discussed such private matters.

The play is a fictionalized version of a true event in Levant’s life. Levant was frequently institutionalized, but he was allowed to temporarily check out of the hospital to perform. In this show set in 1958, Levant is given a four-hour leave to appear on NBC’s Tonight Starring Jack Parr. Sean Hayes, best known as Jack McFarland in Will & Grace, originated the role of Oscar Levant, winning a Tony Award for the performance in 2023.

Doug Wright, the Dallas native who won a Pulitzer Prize for Drama for I Am My Own Wife in 2004, wrote Good Night, Oscar.  Wright will see WaterTower Theatre’s production of Good Night, Oscar in April. Wright is a fan of WaterTower Theatre, enjoying the theater’s 2020 filmed production of I Am My Own Wife so much, he requested a copy to archive at University of Texas at Austin.

Shane Peterman, WaterTower Theatre’s Producing Artistic Director, talks about the show, and WaterTower Theatre’s recently announced 2026-2027 season featuring Broadway by North Texas: with Miriam-Teak Lee,, Biloxi Blues, Jeeves Takes Charge and Honky Tonk Angels.

NBC DFW: What made Oscar Levant extraordinary? How does Doug Wright manage to capture a man who was so talented and well-known? 

Shane Peterman: I think what makes Oscar Levant, and this story, so extraordinary is the way it bridges his humanity and his celebrity, something Doug Wright captures masterfully. Levant was widely known and highly accomplished in the 1930s, ’40s, and ’50s, all while living with what we would now recognize as bipolar disorder, as well as addiction. That duality, brilliant public figure and deeply struggling human being, is what makes his story feel so relevant today.

Doug has an incredible ability to draw audiences into his characters with both empathy and fascination. He doesn’t just portray Levant’s talent; he reveals the complexity of the man behind it. I felt that immediately when I first saw the piece on Broadway, I knew then I wanted to produce it, much like I did with Doug’s I Am My Own Wife.

NBC DFW: Knowing that Sean Hayes originated the role, was casting the role of Oscar difficult? What does Jakie Cabe bring to it? 

SP: Not at all. Of course, there’s always the question of whether a role like this needs to be cast out of New York, especially seeing Sean Hayes’ original portrayal. But time and again, we’ve found that the Dallas–Fort Worth talent pool is exceptional.

DFW actors not only bring professionalism to the work, but they also make the role their own. It’s important to me, as a producing artistic director, that our artists have a safe and supportive space to explore, take risks, and leave their own mark on both the character and the play.

Jakie Cabe does exactly that. He brings his own unique depth, nuance, and emotional honesty to Oscar, making the role feel fresh while still honoring the complexity of the character.

NBC DFW: Why did you select Terry Martin to direct this show?

SP: I never had any doubt that Terry Martin was the perfect choice to lead it. His extensive body of work, both here at WaterTower and beyond, speaks for itself, and his directorial vision consistently demonstrates depth, precision, and a strong connection to storytelling.

Additionally, as a commercial producer with credits spanning from DFW to London, I can say with confidence that he is one of the finest directors working today. His ability to balance nuance, character, and high theatre makes him especially well-suited for a piece as layered and demanding as this one.

NBC DFW: What does this show say about mental illness, celebrity and the public’s expectations of celebrities, especially during the 1950s?

SP: I think the play highlights the care and compassion we must bring to conversations around mental illness. Having experienced this within my own immediate family, I know how complex and deeply human that journey can be. In Oscar’s case, celebrity almost becomes another kind of mask—something that can both conceal and complicate what someone is truly going through.

Set in the 1950s, the play also reflects a time when public expectations of celebrities left very little room for vulnerability. There was pressure to appear composed, witty, and “on” at all times, often at the expense of acknowledging real struggle.

What’s so powerful is that to know Oscar is to love him. Doug Wright allows us to see not just his brilliance, but his pain and humanity, and in doing so, invites empathy not only for Oscar, but for those around him as well.

My hope is that, in today’s increasingly complex world, this piece resonates in a meaningful way, encouraging greater understanding, compassion, and awareness around mental health. We rarely know the full story behind someone’s life, yet there’s a strong chance that mental illness has touched them or someone close to them.

NBC DFW: You recently announced your 2026-2027 season. What are you most excited about for the new season?

SP: I’m most excited about sharing intimate, powerful stories brought to life by incredible professional talent from DFW to London to Broadway. It’s a season designed to offer something for everyone. Celebrating 31 years as the resident arts organization in Addison is truly meaningful, and we’re both proud of and grateful for the partnerships we’ve built with our many stakeholders, friends, and artists along the way.

Learn more: WaterTower Theatre