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“Everyone knows Louise! Nobody likes her, but everyone knows her,” asserts Cole Escola’s demented Mary Todd Lincoln in Oh, Mary! That sentiment might not exactly ring true for Tony voters. Louise actress Bianca Leigh is something of a secret weapon in the hit Broadway comedy, and is predicted to land a Tony nomination as a result. Should Leigh manage to win, she would become the first openly transgender Tony Award winner.

In Gold Derby’s combined odds for Best Featured Actress in a Play, Leigh currently sits in third place. Only Kara Young (Purpose) and Jessica Hecht (Eureka Day) are ranked above Leigh. Oh, Mary! is currently the dominant frontrunner for Best Play, Best Director of a Play, and Best Lead Actor in a Play (Escola). The overall love for the production is bound to help other performers during awards season.

Leigh portrays Mary’s chaperone, Louise, the frequent...

Cole Escola, creator of the Broadway hit comedy Oh, Mary!, will return to star in their show as Mary Todd Lincoln, and will bring the rest of the original cast – including Conrad Ricamora (‘Mary’s Husband’) and James Scully (‘Mary’s Teacher’) – along with them.

Producers announced today that beginning Tuesday, April 8, the full Oh, Mary! original cast will be back in the show at the Lyceum Theatre. Escola, Ricamora and Scully left the show at various times in recent months for what turns out to be temporary leaves. The show, once a regular sell-out week after week, has seen declines in attendance and ticket sales since Escola’s departure in January.

Oh, Mary! currently stars Betty Gilpin as Mary Todd Lincoln, with Tituss Burgess set to play the role of Mary Todd Lincoln from March 18 through April 6. Other cast members currently on board are Phillip James Brannon, Chris Renfro...

Cole Escola is returning to the lead role in Oh, Mary! on Broadway.

Escola, who originated the role of Mary Todd Lincoln in the play, will return to the role starting April 8. Conrad Ricamora, who plays Mary’s Husband, and James Scully, who plays Mary’s Teacher, will also return starting April 8.

Betty Gilpin is currently playing the role on Broadway after taking over from Escola on Jan. 21. Tituss Burgess is set to take over for three weeks starting March 18.

Written by Escola, Oh Mary! reimagines the life of Mary Todd Lincoln, depicting her as a wannabe cabaret star with a drinking problem who is discontented with her life in the weeks leading up to Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. The play, directed by Tony Award nominee Sam Pinkleton, opened on Broadway on July 11, 2024 at the Lyceum Theatre after a sold-out run Off-Broadway at the Lucille Lortel Theater.

In addition to Gilpin,...

Tituss Burgess will take over the lead role in Oh, Mary! this spring.

Burgess will play Mary Todd Lincoln for three weeks starting March 18 through April 6. He takes over the role from Betty Gilpin, who took over the role starting Jan. 21.

Cole Escola, who wrote the play, originated the role of Mary Off-Broadway and through the show’s Broadway transfer.

Burgess, known for his roles in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Schmigadoon!, has previously appeared on Broadway in Moulin Rouge!, Guys and Dolls, The Little Mermaid and more.

“Oh, Mary! blew me away when I saw it on Broadway. Cole Escola is a genius!” Burgess said. “The show is fresh and impossibly funny. I understand the role of Mary Todd Lincoln maybe a little too well. I’m over the moon with joy that I get to join the company at The Lyceum Theatre.”

Oh Mary! reimagines the life of Mary Todd Lincoln,...

Betty Gilpin just made her Broadway debut!

The Emmy Award-nominated actress took her first bow in the hit play Oh, Mary! on Tuesday night (January 21) at the Lyceum Theatre in New York City.

Betty took over the role of Mary Todd Lincoln from the show’s original star and writer Cole Escola, who departed the play this past weekend. She is joined in the cast by newcomers Phillip James Brannon as Mary’s Husband and Chris Renfro as Mary’s Teacher, as well as original stars Bianca Leigh as Mary’s Chaperone and Tony Macht as Mary’s Husband’s Assistant.

Oh, Mary! is the first show in the 121-year history of the Lyceum Theatre to ever gross more than $1 million in a single week and the show has since broken its own box office record eleven times.

Betty will star in the play for a limited 8-week engagement through...

Cole Escola is departing their smash hit Broadway comedy Oh, Mary!

The 38-year-old star, who penned the comedy, will bow out from the Mary Todd Lincoln role beginning on January 21, 2025, Deadline confirmed.

Betty Gilpin will take over the role for a limited 8-week engagement.

Keep reading to find out more…

She will begin her run from Tuesday, January 21, 2025, through Sunday, March 16, 2025.

Oh, Mary! also just announced a new block of tickets for the play are on sale through Saturday, June 28, 2025. The person playing Mary from late March through June has not yet been made public.

Betty Gilpin will replace Cole Escola as Mary Todd Lincoln

Oh, Mary! has sold out weekly, becoming the first and so far only show of the season to recoup its investment, with its weekly box office usually topping $1 million.

Here’s the synopsis: “Oh, Mary!, directed by Sam Pinkleton, stars Escola as a miserable, suffocated...

Oh, Mary! without Cole Escola? As it turns out, yes. The Broadway hit comedy, which recently became the first production of the season to recoup its production cost, will have a new Mary Todd Lincoln beginning January 21 when Glow actor Betty Gilpin will take over the role for a limited 8-week engagement.

Gilpin’s engagement runs from Tuesday, January 21, 2025, through Sunday, March 16, 2025. Interestingly, Oh, Mary! also announced today that a new block of tickets for the play are on sale through Saturday, June 28, 2025. So who will play Mary from late March through June? Stay tuned.

While no mention was made in today’s announcement of Escola’s plans, in previous interviews they have expressed interest in writing new work that they would not necessary act in. That said, with a recent Tony eligibility ruling that Escola, who is nonbinary and uses they/them pronounces, would be eligible in the Best...

Betty Gilpin will take over the lead role in Oh, Mary! on Broadway this winter.

Gilpin, an Emmy nominee for her role in Netflix’s Glow, takes over the role of Mary Todd Lincoln from Cole Escola starting Jan. 21 for an eight-week run through March 16. The play has also released a new block of tickets, extending the Broadway run through at least June 28, 2025.

Escola wrote the play and has starred in the show since its off-Broadway run, which began in January 2024. The play, directed by Sam Pinkleton, reimagines Mary Todd Lincoln as a petulant, wannabe cabaret star dreaming to get away from her husband and the White House. Since opening on Broadway in July 2024, the show has been selling out and has broken the box office record at the Lyceum Theatre 10 times.

In addition to her role as Debbie Eagan/Liberty Belle in Glow, Gilpin starred opposite Shailene Woodley in...

Oh, Mary!, the Cole Escola hit Broadway comedy that last summer became the first show in the 121-year history of the Lyceum Theatre to gross more than $1 million in a single week, has recouped its entire production cost, producers announced today.

Capitalized at $4,525,000, Oh, Mary!, directed by Sam Pinkleton, is the first show of the 2024-2025 Broadway season to announce its recoupment. The recoupment announcement was made today by producers Kevin McCollum & Lucas McMahon and Mike Lavoie & Carlee Briglia.

Escola wrote and stars in Oh, Mary! The comedy, depicting Mary Todd Lincoln as a miserable, hard-drinking cabaret-star-wannabe in the weeks leading up to Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, also features Conrad Ricamora as Mary’s Husband, James Scully as Mary’s Teacher, Bianca Leigh as Mary’s Chaperone, and Tony Macht as Mary’s Husband’s Assistant.

Since its opening on July 11 at the Lyceum, Oh, Mary! has broken its own box office record nine times,...

Oh,Mary! has recouped its $4.525 million Broadway capitalization.

The play, written by and starring Cole Escola, has recouped its Broadway production costs, after opening at the Lyceum Theatre on July 11. The production has broken its own box office record nine times, including last week, when it brought in just above $1.2 million, with an average ticket price of $171.32.

In Oh Mary!, Escola reimagines Mary Todd Lincoln as a wannabe cabaret star, railing against her life in the White House and against wishes of her husband, President Abraham Lincoln.

In addition to breaking box office records, the comedy has also brought in celebrity guests, including former first lady Michelle Obama and Valerie Jarrett on Saturday afternoon, as well as Billy Crystal, Tom Hanks, Bowen Yang, Anne Hathaway, Andrew Garfield, Jennifer Aniston and Madonna (as well as Lincoln’s Steven Spielberg, Sally Field and Tony Kushner during the Off-Broadway run).

Escola landed on...

Cole Escola’s hit Broadway comedy Oh, Mary! is extending its record-breaking run at the Lyceum Theatre by two months, and will now play through January 19, 2025.

The first show in the 121-year history of the Lyceum to gross more than $1 million in a single week, the critically acclaimed Oh, Mary! has surpassed its own house records for four consecutive weeks. The play’s highest weekly gross to date was $1,105,634.50 for the week ending September 8.

Following a twice-extended Off Broadway run at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, Oh, Mary! opened on Broadway July 11 and was initially scheduled to run through September 15. The first of its two extensions pushed the closing date to November 10.

Directed by Sam Pinkleton, Oh, Mary! stars Escola (in their Broadway debut) as a miserable, suffocated and heavy-drinking Mary Todd Lincoln in the weeks leading up to Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. The production also features Conrad Ricamora as Mary’s Husband,...

Broadway’s smash hit Oh, Mary! has announced a nearly two-month extension following rave reviews. Initially set to close September 15, Cole Escola’s comedy will now perform at the Lyceum Theatre through November 10.

The twice-extended Off Broadway campy comedy transferred to Broadway’s Lyceum Theatre July 11 after beginning previews July 26.

It was also announced today that Oh, Mary! has broken the all-time box office record at the Lyceum Theatre, grossing $1.05 million for the week ending July 21, besting the record held by 2022 Tony Award-winning best musical A Strange Loop.

Written by and starring Escola and directed by Sam Pinkleton, Oh, Mary! stars Escola as, according to the synopsis, “a miserable, suffocated Mary Todd Lincoln in the weeks leading up to Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. Unrequited yearning, alcoholism and suppressed desires abound in this one act play that finally examines the forgotten life and dreams of Mrs. Lincoln through the lens of...

Queer alt-comedy in the vein of Oh, Mary! seldom makes it to Broadway, so the arrival of Cole Escola’s downtown theatrical sensation at the Lyceum is cause for Big Gay Jubilation. But if that makes this blissfully absurd rethink of a key moment in American history sound like niche entertainment showing up late for Pride Month, don’t be deceived. It’s hard to imagine anyone with a sense of humor not joining the infectious laughter sparked by Escola’s gut-bustingly funny antics, reimagining Mary Todd Lincoln as an alcoholic cabaret artiste manqué, married to a president struggling to keep the closet door shut.

Escola has been a scene-stealer on TV series including Difficult People, Search Party and At Home With Amy Sedaris (there are no words for how much I miss that show), frequently doubling as a writer. The nonbinary actor has said in interviews that since theater...

There’s funny, there’s very funny, and then there’s Oh, Mary!, Cole Escola’s riotous new comedy that brings more laughs to Broadway than all the Gutenberg!s, Edelmans and Birbiglias combined. You can throw in Shucked for good measure.

Escola, low-key famous these last few years through YouTube videos, late night appearances and gigs for TV’s The Other Two and Difficult People, ups the career stakes immensely with Oh, Mary!, opening tonight at Broadway’s Lyceum Theatre. With nods and hints to Charles Busch, the late, great and forever Ridiculous Everett Quinton, the Sedaris siblings, Carol Burnett, Pee-wee Herman and Absolutely Fabulous, Escola squeezes just enough juice from their influences for a mix that is entirely fresh and not to be missed.

Following its acclaimed and sold-out Off Broadway engagement at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, Oh, Mary!, directed by Sam Pinkleton without so much as a split second wasted,...

Oh, Mary! is heading to Broadway this summer after a sold-out run at the Lucille Lortel Theatre in downtown New York City.

Cole Escola wrote the play and stars “as a miserable, suffocated Mary Todd Lincoln in the weeks leading up to Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. Unrequited yearning, alcoholism and suppressed desires abound in this one act play that finally examines the forgotten life and dreams of Mrs. Lincoln through the lens of an idiot.”

The show also stars Conrad Ricamora as Mary’s Husband, James Scully as Mary’s Teacher, Bianca Leigh as Mary’s Chaperone, and Tony Macht as Mary’s Husband’s Assistant, with Hannah Solow and Peter Smith completing the cast.

Performances begin on June 26 at the Lyceum Theatre on Broadway with an official opening night set for July 11. The limited 12-week engagement is set to end on September 15.

Tickets are on sale now!

Oh, Mary!, the Off-Broadway comedy hit about Mary Todd Lincoln, is transferring to Broadway for a 12-week engagement this summer.

The show, written by and starring Cole Escola as Mary, will begin previews at the Lyceum Theatre starting June 26, with an opening night on July 11. The engagement runs through Sept. 15.

In Oh Mary!, Mary Todd Lincoln is reimagined as a wannabe cabaret star, filled with yearning for that other life, in the weeks leading up to President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. The show also stars Conrad Ricamora as Mary’s Husband, otherwise known as Abraham Lincoln, James Scully as Mary’s Teacher, Bianca Leigh as Mary’s Chaperone, and Tony Macht as Mary’s Husband’s Assistant, as well as cast members Hannah Solow and Peter Smith.

The show is critically acclaimed and has proven popular off-Broadway, after selling out its first run and extending twice at the Lucille Lortel Theatre.

The sold-out, twice-extended Off Broadway comedy Oh, Mary! will transfer to Broadway this summer, producers announced today.

Written by and starring Cole Escola and directed by Sam Pinkleton, the play will begin previews at Broadway’s Lyceum Theatre on June 26 ahead of a July 11 opening night. The limited 12-week engagement will run through September 15.

Producers Kevin McCollum & Lucas McMahon and Mike Lavoie & Carlee Briglia announced the move. The dark comedy currently is playing at the Lucille Lortel Theatre Off Broadway.

Oh, Mary! stars Escola as, according to the synopsis, “a miserable, suffocated Mary Todd Lincoln in the weeks leading up to Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. Unrequited yearning, alcoholism and suppressed desires abound in this one act play that finally examines the forgotten life and dreams of Mrs. Lincoln through the lens of an idiot (Escola).” The show also stars Conrad Ricamora as Mary’s Husband, James Scully as Mary’s Teacher,...

Conrad Ricamora and James Scully will be working on another project together!

The two actors starred in the 2022 romantic comedy movie Fire Island, which is now streaming on Hulu. They will soon reunite on stage in the Off-Broadway play Oh, Mary!, opening in New York City later this month.

Keep reading to find out more…

Oh, Mary! is a “ridiculous dark comedy starring Cole Escola as a miserable, suffocated Mary Todd Lincoln in the weeks leading up to Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. Unrequited yearning, alcoholism and suppressed desires abound in this one act play that finally examines the forgotten life and dreams of Mrs. Lincoln through the lens of an idiot.”

The limited eight-week engagement begins previews on Friday, January 26, 2024 at the Lucille Lortel Theatre ahead of a February 8, 2024 opening night, with performances running through March 24, 2024.

Conrad will play Mary’s Husband and James will star as Mary’s Teacher.

Exclusive: Filmmaker Sam Feder has signed with Gersh and Luber Roklin Entertainment for representation in all areas. Feder is known for his recent groundbreaking Netflix documentary Disclosure. With his new reps, Feder will build upon his documentary work and expand into narrative film and television.

Disclosure garnered critical acclaim when it debuted at Sundance earlier this year and reached a wide audience when it debuted on Netflix on June 19. The documentary has become required viewing when it comes to the authentic representation of the transgender community in film and TV. Chronicling an eye-opening look at trans depictions in Hollywood, the docu reveals how the film and TV industry simultaneously reflects and manufactures our deepest anxieties about gender.

The docu was executive produced by Laverne Cox, who is also featured in the film. Disclosure also features prominent members of the trans community including Jen Richards, Marquise Vilson, Tre’vell Anderson, Angelica Ross,...

Exclusive: Netflix has acquired the worldwide rights to the Sam Feder-directed documentary Disclosure. The feature-length docu is set to debut on the streaming platform on June 19 — a perfect release date considering June is Pride Month.

Disclosure made its premiere at Sundance earlier this year and puts a spotlight on transgender representation in TV and film while showing how it has impacted how Americans feel about members of the trans community and how it has taught trans people to feel about themselves.

Feder not only puts members of the trans community front and center but he also made sure that they were represented behind the camera as well. This way, it was a film about trans people made by trans people, marking a genuine effort of authenticity.

“Disclosure came to life so beautifully because trans people were at the center of production — over 150 trans people were involved, from early research through distribution,...

Manhattan Theatre Club will Trans Visibility in the Theatre, a panel directly following the Sunday, November 4th matinee of The Nap. Come to an open discussion about increasing trans presence in the theatre, with panelists including Alexandra Billings The Nap, Transparent, Kate Bornstein Straight White Men, I Am Cait, Will Davis India Pale Ale, Men On Boats, Alexa Fogel Pose Casting Director, Bianca Leigh The Nap, Transamerica, and Marquise Vilson Charm. They will discuss how the arts industry can sustain and further the current push for greater trans presence and representation.

Chicago – The second oldest Lgbtq+ International Film Festival in America, Reeling2016, is about to launched its 34th edition in Chicago at the historic Music Box Theatre on Thursday, September 22th (details below). The Opening Night film will be “Hurricane Bianca,” featuring famed comedian Roy Haylock, and his outrageous alter ego Bianca Del Rio. Haylock/Del Rio will walk the Red Carpet with writer/director (and Chicago native) Matt Kugelman.

Richard (Haylock) is a teacher from New York City, who finally lands a job in small town Texas. He makes no attempt to hide his gay orientation, which forces the vice principal (Rachel Dratch) to fire him. But the story does not end there. To exact revenge, Richard returns as his alter ego Bianca Del Rio, and wreaks her brand of havoc on the small minded attitudes of tiny town America. The film features cameos from a host of queer icons – Alan Cumming,...

The statuesque and striking Bianca Leigh admits that exposing one of her breasts in her one-person musical "Busted" was a vulnerable moment. But it was not gratuitous, confessional, or therapeutic, she says, despite her being a transgender woman.Indeed, Leigh never planned to write a piece about the transgender experience, but she felt that audiences were ready, and so was she. "With humor, I showed how the abuse of power can affect any disenfranchised person," she says. "Busted" recounts what happened when she was arrested for alleged solicitation.Leigh no longer feels disenfranchised but concedes that she faces obstacles, especially as an actress. (The majority of the trans women interviewed prefer the term "actress" to the gender-neutral "actor.") Transgender roles are few—often they're prostitutes, criminals, or murder victims—and when a good part surfaces, more often than not it does not go to a transgender actor. The films "Transamerica...