Cole Escola made Tony Awards history by winning Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play at the 78th Annual Tony Awards. They received the honor for their unforgettable performance in Oh, Mary!, becoming the first openly non-binary actor to earn a Tony in this category. Even more remarkable? This was Escola’s Broadway debut.
A Play That Sparked Stardom
Escola wasn’t just the star of Oh, Mary!—they also wrote the play, which earned a nomination for Best Play (the award went to Purpose). The show imagines Mary Todd Lincoln as an unhappy alcoholic yearning to be a cabaret star—if only her husband, Abraham Lincoln, would stop standing in her way.
Before the play premiered last year Off-Broadway at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, Escola was relatively unknown. But after the show’s Off-Broadway success and a sold-out Broadway run since last July, they have now emerged as a true star.
A Heartfelt Acceptance Speech
In their acceptance speech, Escola gave a nod to theatre legends:
“Julie Harris has a Tony for playing Mary Todd Lincoln,” they said. Then, with warmth and humor, they thanked loved ones:
“I want to thank the most important people in my life—my friends here tonight: Jeffrey, Jen, Ben, and everyone watching at home. Christian, Dakota, the whole gang, John, Claudia, oh, and T-Bone from Grindr, and Amy Sedaris, who always reminds me how important she is to me.”
From Viral Videos to Broadway
Before Oh, Mary!, Escola was best known for their viral comedy videos on YouTube, including Our Home Out West, a spoof of 1970s-style TV westerns. They also appeared in popular TV shows like:
- Difficult People
- At Home With Amy Sedaris
- Big Mouth
- The Other Two
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