‘Oslo’ nabs seven Tony nominations
Yiddish-inspired Broadway show ‘Indecent’ gets three nods, including for Best Play
Oslo, the Broadway show about the 1993 peace accords, received seven Tony Award nominations, it was announced on Tuesday. The play, which premiered off Broadway and then moved to Lincoln Center last month, follows the little-known story of the integral role a Norwegian couple played in getting the Israelis and Palestinians to the negotiating table in Oslo, Norway.
The close-to-three-hour show was nominated for Best Play as well as both best actor and actress for Jefferson Mays and Jennifer Ehle, who play the Norwegian diplomats. It also received nods in the supporting actor, director, scenic design and lighting categories.
While the play focuses on Norwegian diplomat Mona Juul and her husband, Terje Rod-Larsen, there are plenty of supporting characters that take the stage, including Uri Savir, the Israeli negotiator, deputy foreign minister Yossi Beilin and even an appearance by Shimon Peres. The show, written by J. T. Rogers and directed by Bartlett Sher will play on Broadway until mid-June, and then premiere in London in September.
It is also slated to be adapted for the screen: film producer Marc Platt, behind La La Land and Legally Blonde, has signed on to create a movie based on the play.
In other Tony news, Indecent, the show about a controversial Yiddish play from 1907, garnered three nods. The play was nominated for Best Play, Best Direction and Best Lighting Design.
War Paint, a musical about the feud between cosmetics giants Elizabeth Arden and the Jewish Helena Rubinstein, got four Tony nominations. The show was nominated for both its leading actresses, Christine Ebersole and Patti LuPone, as well as for scenic design and costume design.
Legendary singer Bette Midler was nominated as best supporting actress in a musical for her role in the revival of Hello Dolly!. Ben Platt, who grew up in a Conservative Jewish home in California, was nominated as best actor for the lead role of Dear Evan Hansen. He is the son of Marc Platt, the producer who is adapting Oslo for the silver screen, and who also served as a producer for both Indecent and War Paint.
The Tony Awards will be held on June 11 in New York City.