‘Oslo,’ Directed by Bartlett Sher ’81, Wins Best Play at 2017 Tony Awards

Among the endless talent represented at the 71st Tony Awards, “Oslo,” directed by Barlett Sher ’81, walked away with one of the evening’s most coveted recognitions: the award for best play.

The play, written by J. T. Rogers, tells the true yet little-known story of Terje Rod-Larsen and Mona Juul, a Norwegian couple who coordinated secret peace talks between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, ultimately culminating in the signing of the 1993 Oslo Accords. Michael Aronov, who plays an Israeli diplomat in the production, took home the Tony for best performance by an actor in a featured role in a play.

Consistent with Sher’s past work, “Oslo” has received praise by both the critics and public, the New York Times calling it “undeniably a big play, as expansive and ambitious as any in recent Broadway history…directed with a master’s hand by Bartlett Sher.”

Sher, who was an English major at Holy Cross, has been nominated for eight Tony awards, including for best direction of a play for “Oslo.” In 2008, he won a Tony for his direction of the Broadway revival of “South Pacific.”