"Oh, Mary!", the new offbeat Broadway comedy from writer and star Cole Escola, is flipping history on its hoop skirted head and making audiences cry with laughter. Whether you’re a fan of history, camp, or just need a good laugh, this outrageous play might be your new favorite night out in New York.
So, What’s It About?
In Oh, Mary!, we meet Mary Todd Lincoln—yes, that Mary Todd Lincoln—but not quite like you’ve seen her before. This isn’t the stoic, tragic First Lady of the history books. In Cole Escola’s wild imagination, Mary is unhinged, fabulous, and desperate to become a cabaret star. Forget politics and assassination plots; she’s too busy breaking into monologues, scheming, and delivering biting one-liners to care about 19th-century propriety. It’s part satire, part fever dream, and all comedy gold.
Cole Escola, known for their sharp comedic wit and knack for the absurd, wrote the show and stars as Mary herself. Imagine a historical drag act meets Broadway spectacle, sprinkled with just the right amount of chaos.
Why Critics Are Loving It
Critics can’t get enough of this bizarre and brilliant show.
- Time Out New York calls it “dizzyingly, breathtakingly funny” and awarded it a perfect 5 stars, declaring it a must-see for anyone craving unfiltered hilarity.
- The New York Post dubbed it “the funniest show on Broadway,” applauding Escola’s razor-sharp comedic delivery and the show’s unpredictable twists.
- The Guardian chimed in, calling it a “gloriously deranged historical romp” that feels equal parts edgy and joyful.
Even when critics note that the play sometimes feels like a long, chaotic sketch comedy—as New York Theater observed—they admit that the laughter more than makes up for it.
What Audiences Are Saying
Audiences have been rolling in the aisles, with reactions ranging from sheer delight to mild bewilderment (in the best way possible).
One Reddit user summed it up best: “Genuinely FUNNY. I haven’t laughed this hard in a theater in years.” Others have called it “brilliantly bizarre” and praised Escola’s ability to balance camp, history, and absurdist comedy seamlessly.
That said, Oh, Mary! isn’t for everyone. Its offbeat, over-the-top humor might leave a few audience members scratching their heads. But if you’re ready to embrace the absurd, you’re in for a treat.
The Buzz—A Surprise Broadway Hit
Oh, Mary! has quickly become Broadway’s most unexpected hit, grossing over $1 million in a single week and extending its run due to overwhelming demand.
So, why the success? It’s a breath of fresh (and fabulously weird) air in a Broadway season often dominated by splashy adaptations and jukebox musicals. Cole Escola’s vision is uniquely original—a bold, campy, and endlessly quotable production that proves sometimes the most ridiculous ideas are the most brilliant.
Why You Should Go
If you’re looking for a Broadway show that:
- Makes you laugh until you cry,
- Turns history on its head with irreverent humor,
- Features a star-making performance by Cole Escola,
- Feels like the fever dream you never knew you needed,
then Oh, Mary! is your ticket.
Whether you’re a die-hard theater fan, a history buff with a sense of humor, or just someone who wants a fun and memorable night out, this show delivers. And hey, how often can you say you saw a cabaret-loving Mary Todd Lincoln in action?
Get Your Tickets
With rave reviews and growing word-of-mouth buzz, tickets to Oh, Mary! are going fast. So grab yours now, put on your best bonnet (optional), and prepare to witness one of the most original and hysterical shows Broadway has seen in years.
History has never been this funny.
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