Oslo

“Fact-based ‘Oslo’ is hilariously brilliant…Woolf elicits fine performances from a cast that deftly negotiates the play’s engaging shifts in mood and tone.
“

—Calvin Wilson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch

“‘Oslo’ is an intense ride through personalities, history and international politics, with surprising results…a high energy show that bristles with carefully guarded, albeit sometimes giddy, excitement….Jim Poulos is filled with a tireless, passionate energy as Rod-Larsen, and he is the driving force behind this dense, but immensely watchable play. Rod-Larsen is the fulcrum around which the entire peace process is balanced, but he’s not the most stable of elements. Poulos’ tightly wound, passionately committed approach to the character feels reckless, but somehow under control, both in the story and character dynamics. …When Bose, Graney and Poulos interact, the show is electric, genially chaotic and ripe with possibility, adding layers of interest to an inherently compelling story.”

—Tina Farmer, KDHX

“…a gripping drama with a surprisingly intimate vibe.”

—Judith Newmark, St. Louis Jewish Light

“Jim Poulos is charming, even musical, as Terje (the sociologist) and his outsider status serves everyone nicely….yes: Oslo has lots of laughs, at very regular intervals.”

—Richard T. Green, Talkin’ Broadway

“Steven Woolf, The Rep’s Augustin artistic director, makes his final directorial effort at the helm of The Rep a smashing success with this riveting, superbly acted and beautifully modulated production of the unlikely drama which won the Tony Award for Best Play in 2017….The ensemble’s acting is precise and disciplined in all respects…His Rod-Larsen is full of idealism, energy and a driving, vain desire to accomplish something his more recognized American counterparts cannot…Oslo is a fascinating story superbly told.”

—Mark Bretz, Ladue News

“The Rep’s ‘Oslo’ Pops With Personality, Sharp Dialogue…The cast is superb, handling the complicated themes and dialogue with care so that even those who are too young to remember the actual events can feast on the tension and the triumph contained in this remarkable play….Jim Poulos and Kathleen Wise play married couple Terje Rod-Larsen and Mona Juul, Norwegian diplomats who first dreamed the impossible as do-able. Against all odds, they remain a close-knit team throughout the brutal negotiations. Using wit, intelligence, determination and yes, the best waffles in the known world, these two are key in holding both parties at the table….Poulos and Wise, along with several others of the cast, are Rep favorites. Poulos played Hamlet in the Rep’s 2017 production, and Wise was seen in “The Humans” in 2018. They both do an extraordinary job navigating us through the various twists and turns of the plot.”

—Connie Bollinger St Lous Limelight

“The St. Louis Rep’s production of the play — which won all sorts of awards in New York in 2016-17 — is a wonder to behold, partly because of Rogers’ words, but mostly because of the performances of the cast of more than a dozen actors…. Jim Poulos and Kathleen Wise are also top-notch as the Norwegian couple who manipulate both parties towards frank discussions and serve as our narrators throughout. Frankly, there’s not a weak spot in the cast, nor in the direction of Steven Woolf, who is stepping down as The Rep’s artistic director after 32 years, leaving quite a legacy of brilliant theater behind….Nonetheless, “Oslo” makes for a gripping theater experience. I give it a 9 out of 10.”

—Paul Harris, Harris Online

““Oslo” at the Rep is a Multi-Faceted, Fascinating Drama…The technical aspects help to set the stage, but the performances are what carry the weight of this excellent, thoughtful script. The central figures, Terje and Mona, are embodied expertly by Poulos and Wise, who have strong chemistry that make them believable as a married couple, as well as a great deal of energy and determination. “

— Michelle Kenyon, Snoops Theatre Thoughts

“A very successful show, with fine acting.”

—Ann Pollack, St. Louis Eats and Drinks

“Poulos possesses enough contagious affability to win over any leery foreign delegate… all give sharp performances…”

—StL Theatre Snob

“Fact-based ‘Oslo’ is hilariously brilliant…Woolf elicits fine performances from a cast that deftly negotiates the play’s engaging shifts in mood and tone.
“

—Calvin Wilson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch

“‘Oslo’ is an intense ride through personalities, history and international politics, with surprising results…a high energy show that bristles with carefully guarded, albeit sometimes giddy, excitement….Jim Poulos is filled with a tireless, passionate energy as Rod-Larsen, and he is the driving force behind this dense, but immensely watchable play. Rod-Larsen is the fulcrum around which the entire peace process is balanced, but he’s not the most stable of elements. Poulos’ tightly wound, passionately committed approach to the character feels reckless, but somehow under control, both in the story and character dynamics. …When Bose, Graney and Poulos interact, the show is electric, genially chaotic and ripe with possibility, adding layers of interest to an inherently compelling story.”

—Tina Farmer, KDHX

“…a gripping drama with a surprisingly intimate vibe.”

—Judith Newmark, St. Louis Jewish Light

“Jim Poulos is charming, even musical, as Terje (the sociologist) and his outsider status serves everyone nicely….yes: Oslo has lots of laughs, at very regular intervals.”

—Richard T. Green, Talkin’ Broadway

“Steven Woolf, The Rep’s Augustin artistic director, makes his final directorial effort at the helm of The Rep a smashing success with this riveting, superbly acted and beautifully modulated production of the unlikely drama which won the Tony Award for Best Play in 2017….The ensemble’s acting is precise and disciplined in all respects…His Rod-Larsen is full of idealism, energy and a driving, vain desire to accomplish something his more recognized American counterparts cannot…Oslo is a fascinating story superbly told.”

—Mark Bretz, Ladue News

“The Rep’s ‘Oslo’ Pops With Personality, Sharp Dialogue…The cast is superb, handling the complicated themes and dialogue with care so that even those who are too young to remember the actual events can feast on the tension and the triumph contained in this remarkable play….Jim Poulos and Kathleen Wise play married couple Terje Rod-Larsen and Mona Juul, Norwegian diplomats who first dreamed the impossible as do-able. Against all odds, they remain a close-knit team throughout the brutal negotiations. Using wit, intelligence, determination and yes, the best waffles in the known world, these two are key in holding both parties at the table….Poulos and Wise, along with several others of the cast, are Rep favorites. Poulos played Hamlet in the Rep’s 2017 production, and Wise was seen in “The Humans” in 2018. They both do an extraordinary job navigating us through the various twists and turns of the plot.”

—Connie Bollinger St Lous Limelight

“The St. Louis Rep’s production of the play — which won all sorts of awards in New York in 2016-17 — is a wonder to behold, partly because of Rogers’ words, but mostly because of the performances of the cast of more than a dozen actors…. Jim Poulos and Kathleen Wise are also top-notch as the Norwegian couple who manipulate both parties towards frank discussions and serve as our narrators throughout. Frankly, there’s not a weak spot in the cast, nor in the direction of Steven Woolf, who is stepping down as The Rep’s artistic director after 32 years, leaving quite a legacy of brilliant theater behind….Nonetheless, “Oslo” makes for a gripping theater experience. I give it a 9 out of 10.”

—Paul Harris, Harris Online

““Oslo” at the Rep is a Multi-Faceted, Fascinating Drama…The technical aspects help to set the stage, but the performances are what carry the weight of this excellent, thoughtful script. The central figures, Terje and Mona, are embodied expertly by Poulos and Wise, who have strong chemistry that make them believable as a married couple, as well as a great deal of energy and determination. “

— Michelle Kenyon, Snoops Theatre Thoughts

“A very successful show, with fine acting.”

—Ann Pollack, St. Louis Eats and Drinks

“Poulos possesses enough contagious affability to win over any leery foreign delegate… all give sharp performances…”

—StL Theatre Snob