Since its Broadway debut in July of 2024, Oh, Mary! has taken audiences by storm, racking up five Tony Award nominations and taking the win for Best Leading Actor in a Play (Cole Escola) and Best Direction of a Play (Sam Pinkleton).
For over a year now, the portrayal of Mary Todd Lincoln has left theater-goers laughing, crying, and perhaps even conducting a little post-show research into the real First Lady herself. Curious to know which talented individuals have taken on the title role of Mrs. Lincoln on Broadway? Find out below!
Cole Escola (Original Broadway Cast)
The first iteration of Mary Todd Lincoln was played by Oh, Mary!’s playwright themself, Cole Escola. Following the play’s overwhelming success Off-Broadway, Escola stayed in the role through its transition to Broadway, marking Escola’s personal Broadway debut as both a performer and playwright. Following such a successful debut, Escola then took home the Tony for Best Leading Actor in a Play, making them the first non-binary performer to be honored with the award.
After an initial departure and brief return to the stage, Escola officially exited the role on June 21, 2025, ending their successful encore run, and passing on the ringlet curls for good.
Betty Gilpin
Following Cole Escola’s initial break from the show, three-time Emmy Award nominee Betty Gilpin (Glow, American Primeval) took their place, becoming the first actress to inherit the role for a limited eight-week engagement from January 21, 2025, through March 16, 2025. While Gilpin had performed in several Off-Broadway productions in the past, her time as Mary Todd Lincoln served as her official Broadway debut.
Tituss Burgess
Becoming the third leading star to don the black skirts and curly wig, six-time Emmy Award-nominated Tituss Burgess returned to the stage. Burgess is no stranger to Broadway, having worked on Moulin Rouge!, Guys and Dolls, The Little Mermaid, and more. He performed in the role of Mary Todd Lincoln for a limited three-week engagement from March 18, 2025 through April 6, 2025, and then returned to the role once again on June 23, 2025, where he stayed with the cast for another six-week engagement.
Jinkx Monsoon
After a successful encore run for Titus Burgess, the title role was then passed on to award-winning actress, recording artist, and drag queen Jinkx Monsoon (RuPaul’s Drag Race, Doctor Who, Little Shop of Horrors, Chicago). Monsoon, who had been starring in Pirates! The Penzance Musical immediately prior to their Oh, Mary! debut, took on the role of Mary Todd Lincoln on August 4, 2025, for a limited eight-week engagement through September 27, 2025. She later returned to the role for an additional 30 performance run in January 2026, taking her (second) final bow on February 1, 2026.
Hannah Solow
Hannah Solow (Oklahoma! National Tour) has served as understudy for both Mary Todd Lincoln and Mary’s Chaperone/Bill since the play’s opening in 2024, first stepping into the titular role for a few scheduled dates when Escola was out of the show. She led the Broadway company officially following Jinkx Monsoon’s departure for a limited engagement. The original Off-Broadway and Broadway company member played the role from September 30, 2025, through October 12, 2025.
Jane Krakowski
Making her debut in the role on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, the Tony, Olivier, and Critics’ Choice Award–winning actress Jane Krakowski served as Mary Todd Lincoln at the Lyceum Theatre for over 80 performances. Krakowski, who was originally slated to stay in the titular role for only eight-weeks through December 7, 2025, ended up extending her engagement, taking her final bow on January 4, 2026.
James Cameron Mitchell
Beginning his 12-week engagement on February 3, 2026, John Cameron Mitchell performed in the black skirts at the Lyceum through April 26, 2026. Mitchell, who was self-described as “The most mature Mary yet,” was warmly welcomed to the cast by both Cole Escola and Sam Pinkleton.
Maya Rudolph
Maya Rudolph just took to the stage last week, becoming the most recent actress to don the bratty curls. The six-time Emmy Award winner is making her Broadway debut in the role of which she will remain in through June 20, 2026. Joining the cast alongside her is Philip James Brannon, and returning to the cast is Cheyenne Jackson and Bianca Leigh. Coincidentally, she is one of three Saturday Night Live alumnae currently on Broadway!
