Tituss Burgess Steps Back Into the Spotlight as Mary Todd Lincoln
Broadway is bracing for the return of Tituss Burgess, who’s about to take over the lead in the irreverent comedy Oh, Mary! Burgess is swapping roles with Cole Escola, the powerhouse behind the show’s wild vision—and who, until now, has played the infamous Mary Todd Lincoln. This switch-off happens June 23, and Burgess will keep crowds entertained until August 2 at the Lyceum Theatre.
If you felt déjà vu seeing Burgess in Mary Todd’s big crinoline, you’re not wrong. He already gave the role his spin back in March, earning plenty of buzz for his comedic timing and knockout vocals. Now, he’s gearing up for a longer, six-week engagement. For fans of his work in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, or his scene-stealing take on Sebastian in The Little Mermaid Live!, this is a chance to watch him unleash his brand of mayhem right in the heart of Broadway.
Cole Escola Bids Farewell (For Now)
Cole Escola—writer, original star, and the slightly twisted brain behind Oh, Mary!—is ending their Broadway run on June 21. Escola not only turned heads with a wild, hilarious take on Mary Todd, but also nabbed a 2025 Tony nomination for Best Actor in a Play. The show scooped up five Tony nods in total, with Best Play and a Featured Actor nomination for Conrad Ricamora rounding out the list. Escola’s exit has been looming ever since the show’s critical roll began, and fans have been grabbing tickets for these final Escola-led performances.
Alongside Burgess, the production features Bianca Leigh (Mary’s Chaperone), James Scully (Mary’s Teacher), Tony Macht (Mary’s Husband’s Assistant), and Conrad Ricamora as ‘Mary’s Husband’—an over-the-top version of Abraham Lincoln. Ricamora’s crowd-pleasing antics have earned him a Tony nomination and fan favorite status among regulars.
The plot is, frankly, bonkers. It follows Mary Todd Lincoln in the days before her husband’s assassination, spiraling into drunken debauchery and dreaming of a second act as a cabaret star. This isn’t your high school history lesson: think pratfalls, singing, and a heavy dose of absurdity. Audiences have packed the Lyceum for the chance to see history’s most famous widow fall apart (and belt out show tunes) before their eyes.
Sam Pinkleton steers the chaos as director, earning a Tony for Best Director of a Play. Critics and fans alike have raved about the show’s mix of dark comedy, vaudeville spectacle, and fearless performances.
- Oh, Mary! has already extended through September
- Current tickets cover most of the show's summer months
- Each round of casting is drawing new crowds
The handoff won’t end here. When Burgess wraps up in August, drag superstar Jinkx Monsoon steps in as Mary Todd, with the next group of big-name cast members like Michael Urie and Kumail Nanjiani joining for the late summer and early fall performances. Each incoming cast brings a fresh dose of energy—and their own take on the wild wife of Lincoln.
If you’re looking for the strangest, most star-studded (and loudest) night on Broadway this summer, Oh, Mary! is the ticket. With rotating stars and never-a-dull-moment storytelling, it’s the show everyone’s curious about—and for good reason.
