**Maya Rudolph to Make Broadway Debut as Mary Todd Lincoln in Hit Comedy**
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Maya Rudolph, the acclaimed actress and former star of **Saturday Night Live**, has announced her eagerly anticipated Broadway debut in the hit comedy **Oh, Mary!** She will take on the role of Mary Todd Lincoln for an eight-week engagement starting on April 28, 2026, and running through to June 20. This production has been wowing audiences since its debut in 2024, breaking multiple box office records and extending its run into early 2027.
In a statement expressing her excitement, the six-time Emmy Award winner described the opportunity as a “real dream come true.” Rudolph has long held a profound admiration for Cole Escola, the creator and original star of the show. Escola not only wrote the play but also initially brought the character of Mary to life on stage. Reflecting on her career, Rudolph remarked, “Ever since I was a little girl, I have dreamed of being Cole Escola. **Oh, Mary!** is the funniest play I have ever seen, and I have seen a lot of plays—you’d be surprised.”
The comedic narrative of **Oh, Mary!** reinterprets the life of Mary Todd Lincoln in a fresh and audacious light. Set in the weeks leading up to President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, it portrays the First Lady as a disillusioned and hard-drinking woman yearning to break free from the confines of the White House to pursue her passion for cabaret performance. Rudolph’s portrayal captures the essence of a complex character, described by her as a “miserable, suffocated, alcoholic woman,” making this role a significant addition to her illustrious career.
Rudolph gained popularity during her seven-season stint on **Saturday Night Live**, renowned for her exceptional range of impressions and musical talents. Following her time on the show, she enjoyed a successful career in both film and television, featuring in notable movies such as **Bridesmaids**, **Sisters**, and **Away We Go**. Additionally, she has lent her voice to various animated series, including the hit show **Big Mouth**. Currently, she stars in Apple TV+’s comedy **Loot**.
She follows a line of distinguished performers who have donned the iconic curly hairstyle associated with Mary Todd Lincoln. Previous actors in the role include Jane Krakowski, Tituss Burgess, Betty Gilpin, and Jinkx Monsoon, a two-time winner of **RuPaul’s Drag Race**. The current portrayal of Mary Todd Lincoln is being delivered by John Cameron Mitchell, your creator of **Hedwig and the Angry Inch**, until April 26.
Directed by Tony Award winner Sam Pinkleton, **Oh, Mary!** debuted on July 11, 2024, at the Lyceum Theatre. In a remarkable first for the venue, the play grossed over £1 million in a single week. The show has consistently been a hit, shattering its box office records 12 times over and becoming the first production of the 2024-2025 Broadway season to recoup its initial investment.
The laughter from audiences indicates the show’s appeal and success, prompting a West End engagement which is currently in progress. Furthermore, plans are in place for a North American tour scheduled to kick off in September in Hartford, Connecticut.
Tickets for **Oh, Mary!** are presently available online, and given the production’s recent trajectory, securing seats is expected to be highly competitive. With Rudolph stepping into this role, expectations will undoubtedly be high for the laughter and magic she is likely to bring to the stage.
As she embarks on this new endeavour, Maya Rudolph’s entry into Broadway is sure to be celebrated, marking yet another significant milestone in a career filled with memorable performances and beloved characters. The anticipation surrounding her portrayal of Mary Todd Lincoln heralds an exciting chapter both for Rudolph herself and for the Broadway theatre scene.