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Its a performance about the self-destructiveness of performance, self-immolating but also making the production burn bright.
It does, however, take a lot of explaining to get there.
Levant is an obscure subject to put at the center of a play.
You cant get to door-slamming comedy with that much insulation.
But soon, Hayes grows looser and more comfortable.
Hayes soon starts to lock in on the characters internal conflict about his role as an entertainer.
He loves an audience, but his persona involves beating himself up for their pleasure.
He wants to perform his own work but doubts his own talent.
In this telling, Oscars making excuses for himself too.
Then theres that piano performance.
But if you nail that re-creation, you could get at something deep about them.
The playings the thing, to mangle that other famous quote vehicle, wherein to catch their consciousness.
Good Night, Oscaris at the Belasco Theatre.
