# Oh, Mary!

Oh, Mary! is a comedic stage play written and originally performed by American comedian Cole Escola. The show opened on Broadway on July 11, 2024, at the Lyceum Theatre, transferring from its off-Broadway run at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, earning universal critical acclaim.

## Synopsis

The show is a comedic spoof of the lives of Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln. The show is set in the days leading up to Lincoln's assassination, which occurred while he and Mary were watching Our American Cousin at Ford's Theatre. The show portrays Mary as someone who longs to live a life away from politics and be a cabaret performer, while Lincoln uses her as a beard to hide his sexuality, and is often away from home dealing with the issues of the Civil War, leaving her alone in the White House.

## Production history
### Off-Broadway (2024)

The play premiered Off-Broadway at the Lucille Lortel Theatre on February 8, 2024, with previews beginning January 26, 2024. The show had a planned closing date of March 24, 2024, however due to high ticket sales and critical acclaim, the play extended twice, first from March 24 until May 2, and then until May 12. The title is taken from a slang phrase used among gay men going back decades.

### Broadway (2024–25)

On April 24, 2024, it was announced the show would transfer to Broadway for a limited twelve-week run at the Lyceum Theatre. The show is written by Cole Escola and directed by Sam Pinkleton, and marked Escola's Broadway debut as a performer and playwright. Previews began on June 26, with a run originally scheduled from July 11 to September 15. However, on July 23, 2024, due to popular demand, it was announced the show would extend its run through November 10. On September 19, 2024, it was announced the show would extend through January 19, 2025. The show features original music by Daniel Kluger and arrangements by David Dabbon. Scenic design is by the design collective known as dots with costumes by Holly Pierson. In December 2024, the run of Oh, Mary! was extended a third time to June 28, 2025, and Betty Gilpin was cast as Mary, replacing Escola. Tituss Burgess is set to replace Gilpin for a temporary engagement in March 2025, and Escola is set to rejoin the cast on April 8.

## Original cast and characters

| Character | Off-Broadway | Broadway |
| 2024 ||
| Mary Todd Lincoln | Cole Escola | Cole Escola |
| Mary's Husband | Conrad Ricamora | Conrad Ricamora |
| Mary's Chaperone | Bianca Leigh | Bianca Leigh |
| Mary's Husband's Assistant | Tony Macht | Tony Macht |
| Mary's Teacher | James Scully | James Scully |

### Notable replacements
#### Broadway (2024–)

* Mary Todd Lincoln: Betty Gilpin, Tituss Burgess
* Mary's Husband: Philip James Brannon
* Mary's Teacher: Chris Renfro

## Critical reception

Joshua Barone of The New York Times described it as "silly, nasty, tasteless and, in the end, good theater." He described how the play stretches a "stupid joke" to its limits but still leaves audiences "gagging" with laughter.
Amelia Merrill of the New York Theatre Guide emphasized the campy, irreverent nature of Oh, Mary!, calling it both absurd and heartwarming. She pointed out how Escola's reinterpretation of Mary Todd Lincoln, though not historically accurate, explored the First Lady's mental health struggles through comedy.
Jesse Green of The New York Times echoed these sentiments, noting the play's deft combination of camp and discipline. He praised the production for finding a balance between chaotic comedy and choreographed precision. Green also called it "one of the best crafted and most exactingly directed Broadway comedies in years" despite Escola's own admission that it's "the stupidest play."
Howard Miller of Talkin' Broadway emphasized the show's success in balancing a "queer-infused raucous, farcical, campy" energy while maintaining emotional depth beneath its absurdity.

## Awards and nominations
### 2024 Off-Broadway production

| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
| 2024 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Production of a Play | Outstanding Production of a Play | Nominated |
| 2024 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Direction of a Play | Sam Pinkleton | Nominated |
| 2024 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance | Cole Escola | Nominated |
| 2024 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance | Conrad Ricamora | Nominated |
| 2024 | Off-Broadway Alliance Awards | Best New Play | Best New Play | Won |
| 2024 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | John Gassner Award (new American play preferably by a new playwright) | Cole Escola | Won |
| 2024 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Play | Cole Escola | Won |
| 2024 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Play | Conrad Ricamora | Nominated |
| 2024 | Drama Desk Awards | Sam Norkin Off-Broadway Award | Cole Escola | Won |
| 2024 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play | Conrad Ricamora | Nominated |
| 2024 | Theatre World Award | Theatre World Award | Cole Escola | Won |

### 2024 Broadway production

| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
| 2025 | GLAAD Media Awards | Outstanding Broadway Production | Outstanding Broadway Production | Pending | |