Meg Stalter, the up-and-coming actress who made her Broadway debut in the hit play *Oh, Mary!*, is currently recuperating from bronchitis which has forced her to miss several performances. The 35-year-old star took to Instagram to explain her situation, expressing disappointment at her absence and updating her fans on her health status.
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In her Instagram post, shared on July 16, Stalter conveyed her sadness about not being able to perform. “I’m very, very sick with bronchitis,” she wrote, expressing hope that her condition wouldn’t progress to pneumonia. Stalter took the opportunity to praise her stand-ins, Hannah Solow and Jackie Sanders, who have been performing in her place. Describing them as “the world’s most talented,” she reassured audiences that they would deliver an exceptional show in her absence.
Stalter’s post was not solely about her health; she also addressed circulating rumours regarding her whereabouts. Some fans speculated on social media, particularly Reddit, that she had been performing at the renowned Comedy Cellar in New York City while unwell. Stalter was quick to refute these claims. “I’d just like to go on record saying I was not at the Comedy Cellar,” she clarified, adding that her current state left her with no voice.
Her candidness resonated with followers when she admitted to being on medication and drinking Pedialyte for hydration, as shown in a selection of photos she shared on social media. Stalter humorously urged her fans to stop speculating about her being out and about while she recuperates, writing, “Love you forever, but please stop saying I was at the Comedy Cellar.”
Stalter made her Broadway debut in *Oh, Mary!* at the Lyceum Theatre on July 6, and her run in the show is slated to continue until September 12. This Tony Award-winning comedy, written by Cole Escola and directed by Sam Pinkleton, offers a whimsical reimagining of Mary Todd Lincoln as a frustrated woman seeking to escape the confines of the White House and pursue her dream of becoming a cabaret performer.
The play is set in the tumultuous days leading up to Abraham Lincoln’s assassination and has garnered considerable acclaim, breaking box-office records and expanding to London’s West End due to its popularity. Alongside Stalter, the cast includes Barrett Foa, Ryo Kamibayashi, and Phillip James Brannon, each portraying significant characters in this uniquely inventive production.
Since Escola stepped down from the titular role, *Oh, Mary!* has seen a diverse roster of actors stepping into Mary’s shoes, including notable names like Jane Krakowski, Tituss Burgess, and Jinkx Monsoon. Stalter previously joked about her preparation for the role, lightheartedly stating, “I feel like I’m just going to kind of wing it,” underscoring her improv skills and confidence.
As Stalter focuses on regaining her health, fans who have been missing the original cast member will be pleased to hear that a live performance of *Oh, Mary!* will be filmed for a future theatrical release, allowing even more audiences to experience the innovative play. As ticket sales for *Oh, Mary!* continue, excitement mounts for her return and the continuation of this remarkable Broadway journey.