About the Show

A Pulitzer Prize finalist, Cole Escola's Tony-winning comedy explores the forgotten dreams of Mary Todd Lincoln.

The play navigates themes of unfulfilled longing, alcoholism, and repressed aspirations, offering a unique perspective on Mrs. Lincoln's inner turmoil.

Through its one-act structure, the production unveils the layers of Mary's forgotten life and dreams, long overshadowed by her husband's legacy.

Oh, Mary! ultimately serves as a platform to reexamine and humanize the often-overlooked figure of Mary Todd Lincoln. By intertwining dark humor with profound introspection, the play offers a fresh perspective on her journey, shedding light on the complexities of her emotions and experiences amidst the backdrop of a pivotal moment in American history.

Oh, Mary! won 2 Tony Awards® in 2025, including Best Play, Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play for Cole Escola, and Best Direction of a Play for Sam Pinkleton.

Critic Reviews (29)

CRITIC’S PICK: "You have to admire the glee and cheek with which Escola mauls American history, drawing humor from the collision of high importance and low piffle, puncturing one while elevating the other."
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"the entire ensemble elevates very silly jokes into a work of art that keeps you riveted from start to finish"
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"I can’t remember the last time I saw a play that made me laugh, helplessly and loudly, as much as Oh, Mary! did—and my reaction was shared by the rest of the audience"
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“'Oh, Mary!' is directed by Sam Pinkleton at a breakneck speed that both allows room for the best jokes to harvest their share of laughter while never letting even the lesser gags land with a thud."
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"Oh, Mary! is a deliriously campy take on that well-known House Divided. A couple houses, in fact."
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"The puns, bits, and gags zip by in quick succession, and the audience laughs nearly the entire 90 minutes. It is unquestionably the funniest, gayest, campiest play Broadway has seen in years."
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