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Bowen Yang is trading Studio 8H for the Lyceum Theatre.
The comedian and “Las Culturistas” co-host will make his Broadway debut as Mary Todd Lincoln in Cole Escola’s Tony-winning comedy “Oh, Mary!” beginning Sept. 15. Yang will play the role for a limited 12-week engagement through Dec. 6, succeeding “Hacks” breakout Meg Stalter, whose run concludes Sept. 12. Tickets for his run are currently available for as low as $112 on sites such as TodayTix, Stubhub, Ticketmaster and SeatGeek.
Written by Escola and directed by Sam Pinkleton, “Oh, Mary!” offers a gleefully inaccurate account of the weeks leading up to Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. The 80-minute comedy reimagines Mary Todd Lincoln as a frustrated, alcoholic would-be cabaret star whose theatrical aspirations are being suppressed by her husband and the inconvenient demands of American history.
Yang was originally approached about joining the production last year but turned down the opportunity because of his commitments to “Saturday Night Live.” The comedian becomes the latest big-name performer to don Mary’s signature black dress and tightly wound curls. Escola originated the role Off Broadway before transferring with the production to Broadway in July 2024. Betty Gilpin, Tituss Burgess, Jinkx Monsoon, Jane Krakowski, John Cameron Mitchell, Maya Rudolph and Stalter have since offered their own interpretations of the increasingly coveted character.
The production won two Tony Awards in 2025, with Escola taking home the prize for lead actor in a play and Pinkleton winning for direction. “Oh, Mary!” was also named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
Shop “Oh Mary” tickets online here, and more of the this year’s best Broadway shows here.
