Video: The Cast of Oh, Mary! on Why 'There's a Little Bit of Mary in All of Us'

In 2009, comedian and singer Cole Escola had a thought: "Wouldn't it be funny if Abe [Lincoln]'s assassination was really a good thing for Mary?" Fast forward to 2020, Escola finally wrote that play. And in early 2023, Oh, Mary! had a hit Off-Broadway run. It has now received a Broadway transfer to the Lyceum Theatre, where it opens July 11. And no one has been more surprised by that turn of events than the people who worked on the play.

As for Conrad Ricamora, who plays Abraham Lincoln, puts it: "Broadway has felt like shows done by committee, shows done by focus group. To be a part of something that has so much integrity and so authentic, this show was just what Cole thought was funny."

Written by and starring Escola as Mary Todd Lincoln, Oh, Mary! centers on the famous First Lady in the weeks leading up to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. In Escola's demented take (or as press notes put it, "through the lens of an idiot"), Mary Todd becomes a madcap, cabaret-obsessed alcoholic. Watch the video above to see why the cast and creators of Oh, Mary! thinks the show's title character is relatable to anyone who's ever felt trapped by their circumstances.

READ: Camp and the Art of Being Cole Escola

The piece premiered at Off-Broadway's Lucille Lortel Theatre earlier this year in a run that was extended three times. The production earned two 2024 Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Outstanding New American Play and Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway play, both for Escola. The show also won the 2024 Off Broadway Alliance Award for Best New Play. Read reviews for the Off-Broadway run here.

The full Off-Broadway cast is back for the Broadway run, including James Scully as Mary's Teacher, Bianca Leigh as Mary's Chaperone, and Tony Macht as Mary's Husband's Assistant. Also transferring with the show are understudies Hannah Solow and Peter Smith.

Sam Pinkleton is directing the Broadway run after staging the Off-Broadway premiere. His full creative team is back as well, including scenic designer dots, costume designer Holly Pierson, lighting designer Cha See, composer and co-sound designer Daniel Kluger, co-sound designer Drew Levy, wig designer Leah J. Loukas, and music arranger David Dabbon. Casting is by Henry Russell Bergstein. Bryan Bauer and Ryan Patrick Kane are production stage manager and assistant stage manager, respectively.

Oh, Mary! is produced by Kevin McCollum and Lucas McMahon and Mike Lavoie and Carlee Briglia.

Visit OhMaryPlay.com.