Cole Escola Wins Tony Award for Role of Mary Todd Lincoln

Actor Cole Escola received the 2025 Tony Award on Sunday for his performance as Mary Todd Lincoln in the play “Oh Mary!” which has a unique drag twist.

Escola, who identified as “non-binary” since 2022, portrayed the former First Lady while dressed in drag. He triumphed over other nominees, including George Clooney and Daniel Dae Kim, to take home the award for Best Lead Actor in a Play.

This win marks Escola as the first openly non-binary actor to achieve this recognition, a significant moment acknowledged by various media sources.

The play “Oh Mary!” explores the struggles Mary Todd Lincoln faced leading up to her husband President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. Escola, reflecting on his victory, expressed a mix of disbelief and gratitude. “It’s really overwhelming to be here. Now I’m here with my little Tonis Pin,” he shared with CBS New York’s Dave Carlin following the announcement.

Escola, enthusiastic about portraying a historically significant woman, noted how the role allowed him to explore the evolving character of Todd. “If the assassination hadn’t been so devastating for her, I wonder what she might have envisioned for herself, possibly something creative and cabaret-like,” he mused.

Interestingly, the Mary Todd Lincoln House, a museum dedicated to her, showed their support by sending cast t-shirts to the production. “I hope at least some audience members learn something from our show,” Escola mentioned, highlighting the educational aspect of their performance.

“People are looking for something truly remarkable,” he concluded, leaving a hint of hope and ambition in his tone as he discussed the impact of their work.

It’s indeed a fascinating choice for a former first lady’s life to be interpreted by a non-binary performer, which adds layers to the narrative.