Megan Stalter, known for her prominent role in the hit series *Hacks*, is gearing up to make her Broadway debut in the upcoming comedy *Oh, Mary!* The actress confirmed that she will take on the role of Mary Todd Lincoln starting July 6 for a limited engagement of ten weeks, concluding on September 12. Stalter’s relaxed approach to the role reflects her improvisational style, as she expressed minimal concern about memorising lines.
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While attending The Abbey’s 35th Anniversary Party, Stalter shared her candid thoughts about the upcoming performance. “I feel like I’m just going to kind of wing it,” she remarked, highlighting her penchant for improvisation. “I don’t think I’m going to even learn the lines because I feel like you just get up there and kind of like, do it.” Stalter jokingly referred to herself as “the queen of improv,” a title bestowed upon her by others, despite feeling somewhat uncomfortable with such self-assessment.
Her new role sees her stepping into a high-profile character previously portrayed by notable figures such as Maya Rudolph and Jinkx Monsoon. Stalter is particularly excited to take the stage after Rudolph finishes her stint in the role on July 5. The production has seen a variety of stars bring their interpretations to Mary Todd Lincoln, including Cole Escola, Jane Krakowski, Tituss Burgess, Betty Gilpin, Hannah Solow, John Cameron Mitchell, and two-time *RuPaul’s Drag Race* champion Jinkx Monsoon.
Stalter’s interest in the role was significantly influenced by Monsoon’s powerful performance. “When I saw it and I saw the amazing Jinkx [Monsoon] do it, I was like, ‘I’ve never felt more connected to a character,’” Stalter explained, underlining the importance of representation and connection in acting. She emotionally recounted her experience meeting Escola, stating, “I thought I was too old to feel this excited and giddy about a new friend, and that’s exactly how I felt when I met Mary Todd Lincoln for the first time.”
The play, directed by Tony Award winner Sam Pinkleton, has garnered acclaim for its audacious and whimsical portrayal of Mary Todd Lincoln in the days leading up to her husband, President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. Unlike the historical image of the First Lady, *Oh, Mary!* presents her as a hard-drinking, discontented woman with dreams of leaving the confines of the White House to become a cabaret star. Since its opening in July 2024 at the Lyceum Theatre, the production has made waves on Broadway, frequently breaking box office records and recovering its production costs during the 2024-25 season. Additionally, it is currently enjoying a successful run in London’s West End.
Beyond her foray into Broadway, Stalter’s talents extend to the music realm. She recently launched her debut single, “Prettiest Girl in America,” and is slated to release an album titled *Crave* later this summer. This diversification of her career highlights her take on the evolving nature of entertainment where artists often wear multiple hats.
Stalter has also been steadily building her acting résumé with recent credits that include *Too Much*, a Netflix series created by Lena Dunham and Luis Felber, as well as roles in *Cora Bora*, Peacock’s *Queer as Folk*, and *Please Don’t Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain*.
For those eager to catch Stalter in her Broadway debut, tickets for *Oh, Mary!* are currently available for purchase. With anticipation surrounding her performance, the upcoming weeks promise to be an exciting time for the comedian as she steps into the spotlight of one of theatre’s most prestigious stages.