J.T. Rogers Playwright

Nick Bowling ~ + Director

Cast

Bernard Balbot * Ron Pundak, Jan Egeland

Jed Feder * Uri Savir

Anish Jethmalani * + Ahmed Qurie

Scott Parkinson * Terje Rød-Larsen

Ron E. Rains * Yair Hirschfeld, Shimon Peres

Amro Salama * Hassan Asfour

Bri Sudia * Mona Juul

Stef Tovar * Yossi Beilin

Bassam Abdelfattah Trond Gundersen, German Husband

Juliet Hart * + Marianne Heiberg, Toril Grandal, German Wife, Swedish Hostess

Tom Hickey Joel Singer

Victor Holstein Thor Bjornevog, American Diplomat

David Parkes * + Jonah Jorgen Holst, Finn Grandal

Production Team

Eva Breneman ^ Dialect Designer

André J. Pluess # ^ Sound Designer

Maren Robinson + Dramaturg

Mike Tutaj # ^ Projections Designer
Deborah Blumenthal Dramaturg
Katie Cordts Wig Designer and Coordinator
Jesse Klug # Lighting Designer
Jeffrey D. Kmiec # Scenic Designer
Alka Nayyar * Associate Director
Jonathan Nook * Stage Manager
Christine Pascual # Costume Designer
Amy Peter Properties Designer
Lauren Sheely Assistant Director
Mary Zanger * Assistant Stage Manager
Gaby Labotka Fight and Intimacy Director

Understudies

Amro Salama * Ahmed Qurie

Bassam Abdelfattah Uri Savir, Hassan Asfour

Bobby Bowman Ron Pundak, Jan Egeland, Johan Jørgen Holst, Finn Grandal

Libby Conkle Mona Juul, Marianne Heiberg, Toril Grandal, German Wife, Swedish Hostess

Tom Hickey Yair Hirschfeld, Shimon Peres

Victor Holstein Joel Singer, Yossi Beilin

Mike Jimerson Terje Rød-Larsen, Trond Gundersen, German Husband, Thor Bjornevog, American Diplomat

Reviews

Chicago Tribune

September 19, 2019

★★★½. “With Oslo, TimeLine Theatre reaches for a moment the world changed … [in] J.T. Rogers’ magnificent 2017 play … It is political history, of course, but also applicable to the more prosaic negotiations in which we engage every day. Lessons from Oslo will serve you, and some very skilled Chicago actors are putting themselves in service thereof.”

—Chris Jones

Chicago Sun-Times

September 19, 2019

“A swiftly paced and smartly acted production. … it’s a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at a remarkable moment.”

—Kris Vire

Chicago Reader

September 25, 2019

READER RECOMMENDED. “A smart and timely local premiere… The great strength of Nick Bowling’s smart production for TimeLine (presented in association with Broadway in Chicago) is not just how it keeps the sometimes-complicated narrative clear, though that’s no small feat. It’s how, by showing us the full range of emotions felt by these complex individuals, all of whom are invested in their people’s survival as well as their own desire for a bit of history making, we see the wisdom of Terje’s approach. There’s not a weak link in the 13-member cast.“

—Kerry Reid

Daily Herald

September 23, 2019

★★★½. “[A] droll, erudite drama, which makes diplomacy exciting … Rogers’ play, in an invigorating TimeLine Theatre revival directed by Nick Bowling, ends with an expression of optimism so genuine as to convince even a cynic that peace is indeed possible.“

—Barbara Vitello

Windy City Times

September 22, 2019

“TimeLine Theatre shows off its artistic might by brilliantly teaming up with Broadway in Chicago. … With such a great script in hand, director Nick Bowling masterfully brings it to life with a sterling 13-member cast and great production team. … The time just flies by thanks to everyone working at the top of their game.“

—Scott C. Morgan

Newcity

September 19, 2019

“Detailed performances, sharp writing and expert craftsmanship … Oslo stands as a beacon of possibility in a world where that is not always a guarantee. … It begs you to consider, in the smallest way, that peace is possible. That hope is possible.“

—Ben Kaye

Stage and Cinema

September 19, 2019

“It’s hard to imagine a story more intrinsically theatrical than the real-life crises and complications that transform Oslo into a foreign-affairs thriller. … A crackling collaboration between TimeLine Theatre Company and Broadway in Chicago, it’s history on steroids.”

—Lawrence Bommer

The Times of Northwest Indiana

October 1, 2019

“An interesting work that never drags … Playwright J.T. Rogers has created a well written artistic work that is intelligent, humorous and sensitive.“

—Eloise Marie Valadez

Urban Matter

September 23, 2019

“A powerful, humorous and inspiring true story about the people inside the politics. … As Mona Juul, the always-excellent Bri Sudia steals the stage at every chance. Her over-the-top performance is laced with both humor and in-your-face, non-negotiable terms when she has to be. Several times, applause for her stopped the show.“

—Mira Temkin

Around the Town Chicago

September 19, 2019

“This should be on your MUST SEE list.”

—Alan Bresloff

Let's Play

September 19, 2019

“Oslo is amazing! We could stop this review and save you time to get your tickets … Director Nick Bowling has done an excellent job setting up the storylines, which had to be captivating, exciting with a hint of mystery and charm to keep the audience engaged.”

—Rick and Brenda McCain

Features

Daily Herald

September 6, 2019

This Daily Herald feature explores “How TimeLine Theatre snagged the Chicago premiere of Tony-winning Oslo,” with interviews from Oslo director Nick Bowling and actor Tom Hickey.

—Scott C. Morgan

Read the full review

The Times of Northwest Indiana

September 18, 2019

“This is a show about hope.”

Read more about cast members Jed Feder and Anish Jethmalani, and their experiences working on the Tony Award-winning play Oslo, in this feature from The Times of Northwest Indiana.

—Eloise Marie Valadez

Read the full feature

Chicago Jewish News

September 19, 2019

“Everyone comes back to the number one precept, love thy neighbor as thyself. I do not think that maxim could be more ever-present in a play than it is in Oslo.”

Read this Chicago Jewish News interview with Oslo cast member Bernard Balbot as he discusses his favorite characters, finding the levity in the drama, and how his Jewish faith impacts his work in this complex play.

—Ellen Braunstein

Read the full feature

Conversations with Ed Tracy

September 16, 2019

Ed Tracy and Oslo actor Bri Sudia sat down to talk about career highlights, working with TimeLine, and taking inspiration from the real life Mona Juul.

—Ed Tracy

Read the full feature

GoPride Chicago

September 18, 2019

GoPride interviewed Oslo‘s Bobby Bowman to talk about his trajectory as an actor, and what it’s like to be an understudy for this complex, timely production.

—Matt Inawat

Read the full feature

The Daily Northwestern

September 16, 2019

An interview with Oslo actor Jed Feder about his experiences playing the combative Uri Savir, and how Northwestern has shaped his career.

—Wilson Chapman

Read the full feature

Belmont Theater District

August 30, 2019

Belmont Theater District’s Clare Brennan talks with Oslo director Nick Bowling about what he’s most looking forward to with Oslo and what’s next for TimeLine’s 23rd season.

—Clare Brennan

Read the full feature