November 7, 2014
Michael and Julie Bateson bring Ole and Lena to life on stage
By Mike and Julie Bateson
Script writers and Actors
Watch as real life husband and wife acting team, Michael and Julie Bateson, bring the loveable Scandinavian couple, Ole and Lena, to life in one of their wonderfully interactive plays. The Bateson’s have been performing Ole and Lena for over 10 years for a wide variety of groups and theatre audiences across the upper Midwest. Mike and Julie owned and operated a restaurant and dinner theater in Cannon Falls, Minnesota, which offered gourmet meals and quality theater productions. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and after they sold the restaurant, they were approached again and again to perform as Ole and Lena. With support and encouragement from friends and family, the couple decided to focus on their love for theater. They began performing at theaters in the southern suburbs of Minneapolis to sold out audiences; and the rest, as they say is history.
Why Ole and Lena?
“With my heritage and living in the Midwest where Ole and Lena are more popular than lefse and lutefisk at holiday time, it seemed a natural fit,” exclaims Mike. “Everyone knows an Ole, that curmudgeon who you can’t help but love.”
“And where would Ole be without Lena?” Julie adds. “Lena is a composite of all the wonderful women I have known; she has the strength, stamina, and patience to not only put up with Ole’s antics, but loves him even more because
of them. I hate to burst anyone’s bubble, but Lena is the perfect woman!”
In 2014-2015, the Bateson’s will be performing Ole and Lena in theatres across the Midwest. In between theatre
performances, Mike and Julie perform for private groups, fundraisers, congregations and corporate meetings. Ole and Lena’s home-spun humor strikes a chord with nearly everyone.
When not performing, Mike and Julie are very involved in their community and enjoy trying to keep up with their four grandchildren. They are very active in their church, and they love having company. As Ole and Lena would say, stop by any time, the coffee is always on!
Whether it’s the Bateson’s or the Gustafson’s, their message for the audience is to explore the joys of life, family and
growing old together.
