Against-the-Odds Peacemaking

Oslo – Broadway in Chicago

Prior to the world witnessing Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO Leader Yasser Arafat coming together in peace on one historic day in 1993, a lot of confidential meetings and secret arrangements had taken place in Oslo, Norway. In playwright J.T. Rogers’ riveting drama, the audience becomes totally immersed in this somewhat fictionalized, yet fact-based backstory, of the events that led up to the Oslo Peace Accords. The end result of this against-the-odds international peacemaking effort became the negotiation of a momentous  peace treaty between Israel and Palestine.

The story is told from the point of view of Norwegian husband-and-wife team, social scientist Terje Rod-Larsen and his more tactful, diplomatic wife, Mona Juul. This freethinking couple cleverly worked very hard to bring together a couple of representatives from each side of the table. In 1993 the men secretly met at a countryside estate, under Terje and Mona’s guidance and peacekeeping. The four men acted as unofficial envoys for their respective nations. Throughout several secret  sessions, tensions rose, unexpected humor erupted and fellowships evolved over whiskey, wisecracks and waffles. Between a series of stressful encounters that featured a cast of Norwegian, Israeli and Palestinian characters, whose names may only be familiar to students of politics, history was made and, for a time, humanity was restored.

Known for his historical plays set against actual international conflicts, such as “Blood and Gifts” and “Madagascar,” the backchannel negotiations that finally led to the Oslo Peace Accords earned J.T. Rogers every possible accolade for playwriting, just two years ago. After the play opened Off-Broadway, Rogers earned the Lucille Lortel Award, the Outer Critics’ Circle Award, the Drama League Award and two Obie Awards. Then, after his play moved to Broadway, Rogers took home the 2017 Drama Desk Award, the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award and, the icing on the cake, the Tony Award for Best Play. Theatergoers who like their plays filled with tension, conflict, stimulating ideas and fascinating characters will relish this Chicago production, that’s co-produced by TimeLine Theatre and Broadway in Chicago.

This is a first-rate production of the highest quality. Cleverly and deftly directed with artistry by Nick Bowling, the play initially grabs the audience by the throat and never lets go until the final curtain. Upon leaving the Broadway Playhouse, theatergoers will find it difficult to shake off what they’ve just witnessed during the past two hours and forty-five minutes. Never giving in to stereotypes, Mr. Bowling has skillfully guided his talented cast, which features some of Chicago’s finest actors, to vividly tell this true story with toughness and vitality.

The cast is led by the incredible Bri Sudia, brilliantly strategic, yet always smooth and tactful, as Mona Juul. What Ms. Sudia doesn’t say with words, she conveys through her face and carefully calculated body language. In this role, as in everything she does, Bri Sudia is truly magnificent. She’s nicely paired with Scott Parkinson, who brings a great deal of energy and humor to his role of her oft-irritating husband, Terje Rod-Larsen. Together this Norwegian couple use subtle diplomacy and their entire bag of tricks to wheedle and worm the best intentions out of these antagonistic ambassadors. This mediation tag team are both terrific.

Jed Feder, possibly known to most Chicagoans as a superb musician, absolutely astounds as Uri Savir. The power and passion he brings to this Israeli negotiator is unbelievable. The role earned Michael Aronov a Tony for his Broadway performance; this could possibly bring Mr. Feder his own award, here in Chicago. The talented Anish Jethmalani owns the stage as PLO arbitrator, Ahmed Qurie. His strength and ferocity provides much of the play’s discord and disagreements; but his performance, which is brilliant, provides an excellent foil for Mr. Feder. 

The entire large cast is top-notch. Stef Tovar is wonderful as Israel Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs,  Yossi Beilin; Ron E. Rains, who’s appeared on just about every stage in Chicago, and may be best known for playing Bob Cratchit for several years at the Goodman, is magnificent as both the slightly rumpled, very humorous history professor, Yair Hirschfeld and the respected Israeli Foreign Minister, Shimon Peres. Bernard Balbot, another talented actor who’s tread the boards all over the Windy City, brings humor to his portrayal of Ron Pundak, a member of the Israeli delegation, as well unflinching authority as Jan Egeland, the opinionated Secretary of State in the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Amro Salama is frighteningly controlling as Hassan Asfour, a PLO Communist party member, and Yasser Arafat’s close associate.

Special mention must be made of Juliet Hart, who plays no less than four very different roles. She’s excellent in every part, but particularly memorable as the German Wife hired to cook for the negotiators. There’s a lovely scene in which peace is restored among the delegates when the lovely lady serves up her specialty: waffles and whipped cream. It’s one of many magical moments in this play in which we’re reminded that, no matter what high position these men hold in his respected country, they are still, after all, human beings.

The creative team for this sumptuous production blessedly includes the talented Jeffrey D. Kmiec’s beautiful, adaptable scenic design. The set is cloaked in gorgeous, often subtle projections, designed by Mike Tutaj. The production’s atmospherically lit by Jesse Klug and bathed in Andre Pluess’ lovely sound design, all of which go hand-in-hand. An appropriately tasteful wardrobe is provided by costume designer Christine Pascual, and the many wigs and hair designs are courtesy of Katie Cordts.

This captivating play speeds by, indulging in all sorts of twists and turns, huge setbacks and tiny victories and lots of great, well-defined, characterizations. The fact that each of these people are real makes the production that much more interesting. Arguments rage on and differences are exposed. But, in the end, trust and confidences are shared with the result being a moment in time that has been lovingly imagined through the magic of the theatre.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented September 17-October 20 by TimeLine Theatre and Broadway in Chicago at the Broadway Playhouse, 175 East Chestnut St., Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the theatre box office, by calling 800-775-2000 or by going to www.BroadwayinChicago.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.