Cole Escola steps away from Oh, Mary! to focus on health and other projects
- Cole Escola is stepping away from their role in Broadway's Oh, Mary! for a recuperative period.
- Betty Gilpin will take over the role of Mary Todd Lincoln starting January 21, 2025, for an eight-week run.
- The show has achieved financial success and may see Escola return in the spring of 2025.
In the United States, Cole Escola, the star and playwright of the Broadway show Oh, Mary!, is exiting the production to take a break for unspecified reasons. Their departure marks the beginning of a recuperative period, and they have been performing as Mary Todd Lincoln for approximately a year. The decision comes at a pivotal time for the show, which has just achieved the significant milestone of recouping its entire production costs, becoming the first show of the 2024-2025 Broadway season to accomplish this feat. Beginning on January 21, 2025, Betty Gilpin, known for her Emmy-nominated role in Glow, is set to take over as Mary for a limited run of eight weeks. While this temporary replacement is being welcomed, it also raises questions about the future of the role after Gilpin's engagement concludes. A source mentioned that Escola could potentially return to the role sometime in the spring; however, no formal announcements or dates have been disclosed. The decision for Escola to step back is understood to be influenced by the demanding nature of playing such an intense character and the need to handle other commitments that have been sidelined due to the show's success. Betty Gilpin publicly expressed her honor at stepping into the role, recognizing the monumental work and commitment that Escola has invested in the character. The production is directed by Sam Pinkleton and has been celebrated in the theater community, accumulating significant celebrity attention and breaking box office records multiple times since opening on Broadway in July 2024. As Oh, Mary! continues its successful run, with tickets available through June 2025, the future dynamics of the cast are of great interest to fans and observers alike. While Escola's departure is a moment of reflection, it is equally a testament to the success of the show, which has created opportunities for new talent while keeping the door open for the original star's return in the near future.