Directed by Sam Pinkleton, Oh, Mary! is a dark comedy starring Escola as a miserable, suffocated Mary Todd Lincoln in the weeks leading up to Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. Unrequited yearning, alcoholism and suppressed desires abound in this one act play that finally examines the forgotten life and dreams of Mrs. Lincoln through the lens of an idiot (Cole Escola).
More than once during “Oh, Mary!,” which opened Thursday night off-Broadway, it hits you: How am I laughing so uncontrollably at a play about Mary Todd Lincoln? Yes, Abraham Lincoln’s wife is the subject of this riotous new comedy at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, written by and starring Cole Escola, that definitely does not aim to teach your anything or challenge your brain cells. Rather, the campy “Oh, Mary!” is too busy daring your lungs to stay full of air for more than a few seconds. Like the Confederacy, your lungs lose.
Sam Pinkleton’s direction perfectly matches Escola’s frenzied humor and grande dame queenerie – no easy feat – and draws quick-witted performances from the cast. It’s the kind of show where Escola (flouncing around in a stunning Astor Yang gown; Holly Pierson dressed the others), frets over which book to pick from an obviously fake wallpaper case before selecting the sole real prop. (dots, the ever-popular scenic design collective, gets to flex its comedy muscles; as does Cha See, with her melodramatic lighting cues).
2024 | Off-Broadway |
Off-Broadway Premiere Production Off-Broadway |
2024 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
2024 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play | Conrad Ricamora |
2024 | Drama League Awards | Disinguished Performance | Cole Escola |
2024 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance | Conrad Ricamora |
2024 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Direction of a Play | Sam Pinkleton |
2024 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Production of a Play | Oh, Mary! |
2024 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Play | Conrad Ricamora |
2024 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Play | Cole Escola |
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