“Oh Mary!” Will Break You and Heal You — Cole Escola’s Wildest Theater Ride Yet!

June 10, 2025 rajeshmandal852

Oh Mary! – Cole Escola’s Bold & Brilliant Theater Experience

Introduction:

You’ve read about Abraham Lincoln in history books, but have you ever seen the world of his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, through a lens of satire, absurdity, and heartbreak? If not, Cole Escola’s hit show “Oh Mary!” is your chance.

This play is less about facts and more about fantasy. Cole Escola crafts a fictionalized, emotionally charged, and wickedly hilarious journey through Mary’s psyche, societal pressures, and her search for identity – all wrapped in a campy, queer theater spectacle that has left audiences stunned and delighted.

What is “Oh Mary!” about?

Set in an alternate, exaggerated version of history, the play follows a version of Mary Todd Lincoln who is unstable, chaotic, melodramatic, and incredibly funny. It’s not a biography; it’s a creative rebellion against traditional storytelling, full of unexpected twists, powerful monologues, and high-energy breakdowns that make you laugh one moment and ache the next.

The storyline cleverly navigates Mary’s internal turmoil and outer conflicts, blending historical context with contemporary issues like mental health, identity crisis, and societal expectations of women. This unique take adds layers of depth and relevance, making the experience more than just entertainment – it becomes a reflection of our times.

Who is Cole Escola?

Cole Escola is a non-binary, queer artist known for their brilliant mix of comedy and emotional depth. In “Oh Mary!”, Escola not only wrote the script but also plays the lead role, completely embodying the eccentric and fragile Mary Todd Lincoln.

Through their portrayal, Escola explores themes of womanhood, madness, repression, and queerness – all packed in a performance that feels theatrical, surreal, and brutally honest. Escola has been applauded for bringing such bold authenticity and rawness to a character who is often overshadowed by her husband’s legacy.

Staging and Presentation:

The visual and theatrical elements of “Oh Mary!” are as bold as its script. The show uses candlelit sets, old-fashioned costumes, and classic stage effects – but with a chaotic, modern, and highly stylized twist. The pacing is frantic, the dialogue is intense, and the humor is razor-sharp.

This is not your average play. It’s a sensory overload filled with breakdowns, dramatic exits, absurd scenarios, and biting lines. The result? Laughter through tears, and a bizarre kind of empathy for a woman on the edge.

Why should you watch “Oh Mary!”?

A Fresh Take on History: It flips historical storytelling on its head and presents a bold new perspective.
Celebration of Queer Creativity: Escola’s work celebrates LGBTQ+ voices with raw, emotional storytelling.
Theater Without Rules: It breaks conventions and redefines what a stage performance can be.
Humor with Heart: It makes you laugh, then makes you feel the pain behind the laugh – all in one scene.
Performance of a Lifetime: Escola’s acting is spellbinding, earning standing ovations and critical acclaim night after night.

Audience Reactions:

Standing ovations. Viral social media clips. Rave reviews from New York theater critics. “Oh Mary!” is being hailed as one of the most original, fearless productions of 2025.

Some are calling it “the queer masterpiece of the year,” while others say it’s “a total mind-bending theater trip.” The praise is loud and unanimous: Cole Escola has created something truly unforgettable.

Major outlets like The New York Times and Vulture have praised the play for its innovation, while audiences are lining up outside theaters just to get a glimpse of the madness and brilliance unfolding on stage.

Conclusion:

“Oh Mary!” is not just a play. It’s an emotional rollercoaster, a political satire, a queer anthem, and a theatrical revolution rolled into one. Whether you love history, art, comedy, or all of the above, this play will hit you right in the gut – and the funny bone.

It redefines modern theater by blurring the lines between performance and experience. Cole Escola has truly carved a place in theatrical history with this groundbreaking work.