‘Oh, Mary’s’ Cole Escola on Tony Noms: “If I’m Allowed to Be Sincere, Today Would Be the Day”

While Cole Escola is usually ready with a quippy response, on Tony nominations day, they can’t help but be genuine. 

“I guess if I’m allowed to be sincere, today would be the day,” Escola said. 

Escola was nominated for a Tony Award for their role as Mary Todd Lincoln in ‘Oh, Mary!’ The play, which Escola wrote, also received a nomination for best play. In total, the production received five Tony nods, including one for Escola’s cast member Conrad Ricamora, who plays Mary’s husband, and for director Sam Pinkleton.

Escola landed on the idea for the play in 2009, with the starting point of “What if Abe’s assassination wasn’t such a bad thing for Mary Todd Lincoln?” What resulted was a raucous reimagining of Mary Todd Lincoln as a wannabe cabaret singer with ringlet curls and a penchant for drinking. The play originated Off-Broadway at the Lucille Lortel Theatre in February 2024 and was extended twice, before transferring to Broadway in July 2024, where it still draws crowds. 

While Escola originated the lead role, they took a few months off this winter and Betty Gilpin and Tituss Burgess took respective turns playing Mary Todd Lincoln. Escola returned to the production April 8.

The actor and playwright spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about their emotions surrounding their first nominations and returning to the role while on their way to a theater Thursday.

How are you feeling post-nominations? 

Somewhere between overwhelmingly emotional and nothing. My head’s sort of spinning, and I’ve got two shows tonight, so that’s what I’m mostly trying to think about, not letting it in too much so I can do my job.

So we’re not going to see Mary Todd Lincoln celebrate the Tony nomination?

I don’t think so. I think it would be the most terrifying thing in the world to her.

When Oh, Mary! was transferring to Broadway, you said you weren’t sure what the reception would be like? How does it feel now? 

It makes me want to cry just thinking about us making our show in the rehearsal room at La MaMa, just hoping it would land with our audience and that we could maybe extend two weeks. It’s actually too much to think about.

How did you feel about returning to the role in April?

I was really nervous. I was scared it wouldn’t be there anymore. I was scared that I would walk on stage and my hands would be empty, but it couldn’t have been more opposite. She just came flying out of me. So it was a relief.

Did you get a chance to see the other actors?

Yes, I got to see both Betty and Tituss and Hannah Solow, the understudy, and it was like, watching my Barbies come to life. It felt like being a child, and someone came in and took the Barbie out of my hand and turned it into Michelle Pfeiffer.

Was that your first time actually seeing your own show? 

Betty was my first time seeing the show, and so that was a surreal experience as well. I’d never gotten to see the lighting design. I can sort of see the set, and I can see the costumes and appreciate them. But it’s hard when you’re actually on stage to see the whole picture. So that was like magic. 

Did you learn anything from watching it?

I think all I really learned was that I love it, and that I continue to love it with other people, and just couldn’t be more proud. Sorry, it’s so corny.

No, this is a pretty genuine day for everyone. 

Yeah, it’s true. I guess if I’m allowed to be sincere, today would be the day. 

Maybe Tony Awards day too. 

I’ll be sick to my stomach that day. 

Really?

No, no, I’m excited. I’m really excited to get to celebrate all the people and this show and feeling a part of the Broadway season like, who gets to say that?

Did you see you’re nominated in the same category as George Clooney?

Again?….Kidding. I did see that. And, yeah, wild. It sort of doesn’t make sense to me.

What do you see as the future of the Oh, Mary? Could there be a movie or more people playing Mary? 

I really, really, really hope so. I hope you can see all of that. But also, I’m like, ‘Aren’t people sick of this thing yet’? I’m glad the Tony nominating committee is not sick of me or this play, but my friends certainly are, and I am ready to give them a break.

Anything else you want to add?

I love the American theater. 

This conversation has been lightly edited for length and clarity.