Oh, Mary! (play)
| Oh, Mary! | |
|---|---|
 Broadway Promotional Poster | |
| Written by | Cole Escola |
| Date premiered | February 8, 2024 |
| Place premiered | Lucille Lortel Theatre |
| Original language | English |
| Genre | Comedy |
| Setting | White House, Washington, D.C., 1865 |
Oh, Mary! is a comedic stage play written by American playwright Cole Escola.[1]
The show will open on Broadway on July 11, 2024, at the Lyceum Theatre, transferring from its Off-Broadway run at the Lucille Lortel Theatre.[2]
Synopsis[edit]
The show is a comedic spoof on the lives of Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln, with Escola (who identifies as non-binary with they/them pronouns[3]) portraying the lead character of Mary Todd Lincoln in drag. The show is set in the days leading up to the night of Lincoln's assassination while 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 vaudeville 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.[4]
Production history[edit]
Off-Broadway (2024)[edit]
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 til May 2, 2024 and then until May 12, 2024.[5] The title is taken from the LGBT slang term of gay men being referred to as a Mary.[6]
Broadway (2024)[edit]
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 will mark Escola's Broadway debut as a performer and playwright. Previews are expected to begin June 26, 2024 with a run scheduled from July 11, 2024, until September 15, 2024.[7] The show features original music by Daniel Kluger and arrangements by David Dabbon. Scenic design is by the design collective knowns as dots with costumes by Astor Yang and Holly Pierson.[8]
Original cast and characters[edit]
| Character | Off-Broadway |
|---|---|
| 2024 | |
| Mary Todd Lincoln | Cole Escola |
| Abraham Lincoln | Conrad Ricamora |
| Louise, Mary's Chaperone | Bianca Leigh |
| Simon, Abraham's Assistant | Tony Macht |
| John Wilkes Booth, Mary's Acting Coach | James Scully |
| Ensemble | Hannah Solow |
| Ensemble | Peter Smith |
See also[edit]
Awards and nominations[edit]
2024 Off-Broadway production[edit]
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 |
Drama League Awards | Outstanding Production of a Play | Cole Escola | Pending | [9] |
| Outstanding Direction of a Play | Sam Pinkleton | Pending | |||
| Distinguished Performance | Cole Escola | Pending | |||
| Conrad Ricamora | Pending | ||||
| Outer Critics Circle Awards | John Gassner Award (new American play preferably by a new playwright) | Cole Escola | Pending | [10] | |
| Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Play | Cole Escola | Pending | |||
| Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Play | Conrad Ricamora | Pending | |||
| Drama Desk Awards | Sam Norkin Off-Broadway Award | Cole Escola | Won | [11] | |
| Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play | Conrad Ricamora | Pending |
References[edit]
- ^ hollywoodreporter.com Oh Mary Play Will Transfer<accessed 04/27/2024
- ^ "Oh, Mary!". www.iobdb.com.
- ^ Jones, C. T. (February 6, 2024). "Cole Escola Is Revolutionizing Queer Comedy".
- ^ Barone, Joshua (February 27, 2024). "Review: 'Oh, Mary!' Turns an Unhinged Bit Into Real Theater" – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ Rabinowitz, Chloe. "OH, MARY! Extended Off-Broadway Through Early May". BroadwayWorld.com.
- ^ "15 Old-Timey Names for 'Gay'". www.advocate.com.
- ^ McHenry, Jackson (February 8, 2024). "Oh, Mary! The Play Was Hilarious, Mrs. Lincoln". Vulture.
- ^ "Additional Casting Announced For OH, MARY!". www.theatrely.com.
- ^ "2024 Drama League Award Nominations announced". Theatermania. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
- ^ "Dead Outlaw, Stereophonic Lead 2024 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations". Theatermania. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
- ^ "Drama Desk Award Nominations 2024". Theatermania. Retrieved April 23, 2024.