Maya Rudolph Set for Broadway Debut in Acclaimed Play 'Oh Mary!'
Comedian and Saturday Night Live star Maya Rudolph is preparing to make her highly anticipated Broadway debut. She will take on the role of former First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln in the Pulitzer-nominated play 'Oh Mary!', as reported by Variety. The production is scheduled to open on April 28 for an eight-week run, concluding on June 20.
Replacing a Tony Award Winner
The role of Mary Todd Lincoln was originally portrayed by Cole Escola, who received the Best Actor Tony Award for his performance. Since Escola's departure, the character has been played by several notable actors, including Jane Krakowski, Tituss Burgess, Betty Gilpin, and John Cameron Mitchell. Rudolph's casting marks a significant transition for the production.
Rudolph's Excitement and Humor
In a statement to Variety, Rudolph expressed her enthusiasm with characteristic wit: "Ever since I was a little girl, I have dreamed of being Cole Escola. 'Oh, Mary!' is the funniest play I have ever seen, and I have seen a lot of plays, you'd be surprised. It's such an honour to play the role of Mary, especially after so many iconic Marys have come before me. So making my Broadway debut in the role of a lifetime -- as a miserable, suffocated, alcoholic woman is a real dream come true."
Play Extension and Historical Context
Producers have announced that 'Oh Mary!' has been extended on Broadway through January 3, 2027. It remains unclear who will assume the role after Rudolph's summer departure. Directed by Sam Pinkleton, the hit comedy is set in the days before Abraham Lincoln's assassination and imagines Mary Todd Lincoln as a deranged wannabe cabaret star. According to Variety, she becomes a menace to her husband and the White House staff as he attempts to end the Civil War.
Record-Breaking Success
The play has achieved remarkable commercial success since its Broadway premiere. 'Oh Mary!' opened at Broadway's Lyceum Theatre on July 11, 2024, and quickly made history by becoming the first show in the venue's 121-year history to gross over 1 million USD in a single week. It has since broken its own box office record an impressive 12 times, solidifying its status as a major theatrical hit.
