The other night I had the pleasure of attending the official opening night of Oh, Mary! here in Los Angeles at Center Theatre Group’s Ahmanson Theatre, and I could barely contain my excitement! Not only is this one of the most talked-about shows in recent years, but Los Angeles also marks the first stop of its national tour. Ever since I first heard about this wildly unconventional play, along with all the rave reviews, accolades, and awards it has been collecting—including three Tony Awards, I had been hoping it would make its way to Los Angeles. So, needless to say, when it was finally announced that the production was coming to the Ahmanson, I was absolutely thrilled!
The show originally opened Off-Broadway before making its much-anticipated Broadway debut in the summer of 2024, where it quickly became a sensation. Since then, it has continued to draw audiences and generate plenty of buzz, with a rotating roster of guest stars stepping into the delightfully outrageous role of Mary Todd Lincoln. In fact, the Broadway production is still going strong, with its run currently extended through next summer. That’s quite an accomplishment for a show that is as unconventional, irreverent, and downright bonkers as this one!
Written by Cole Escola, Oh, Mary! is a one-act comedy that takes a wildly fictionalized, decidedly tawdry look at Abraham Lincoln, his wife Mary Todd Lincoln, and the weeks leading up to one of the most infamous moments in American history. Now, I really didn’t know what to expect going into this one. I had deliberately tried to avoid reading too much about the storyline or watching any clips because I wanted to experience it with a completely blank slate. Of course, I had heard all the rave reviews and knew it was supposed to be hilarious, but I wanted to discover the madness for myself. And let me tell you, this show did not disappoint—it was f*cking hilarious!
From the outrageous situations and wonderfully absurd dialogue to the unexpected twists and turns, this is comedy that doesn’t hold back. It’s a quick-witted, unapologetically over-the-top romp that takes plenty of liberties with history, turning the familiar story of the Lincoln household into something you could never have imagined. The humor is wonderfully twisted, the characters are completely ridiculous, and the whole thing is delivered with such a straight-faced commitment that it makes the absurdity even funnier. There were so many moments when the audience was absolutely roaring with laughter, and I found myself laughing right along with everyone else.
Leading the cast is RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Alaska Thunderf*ck, who takes on the role of Mary Todd Lincoln, and what a fantastic performance! Alaska brings an incredible amount of personality and energy to the role, with terrific physical comedy, impeccable comic timing, and a wonderfully exaggerated stage presence. She knows exactly how to deliver a line, work a moment, and get the biggest possible reaction from the audience. Her performance is a huge part of what makes this production so entertaining, and she clearly understands the wonderfully ridiculous world of Cole Escola’s play. The supporting cast also helps bring this wonderfully bizarre household to life, keeping the comedy moving at a wonderfully frantic pace—I especially loved Wesley Taylor who takes on the role of Mary’s teacher—he’s super cute and was perfect for that role.
What makes Oh, Mary! so much fun is that it takes a familiar historical setting and completely turns it on its head. Forget everything you think you know about Mary Todd Lincoln and life in the White House! This is definitely not your typical historical drama, nor is it remotely interested in giving you a conventional retelling of American history. Instead, it’s a deliciously irreverent, campy, and completely unexpected comedy that keeps you guessing about what could possibly happen next. And while there are plenty of outrageous moments, the writing is incredibly sharp, with clever dialogue and plenty of unexpected surprises along the way.
I really don’t want to give away too much of the plot because part of the fun is going into this show without knowing what’s coming. Trust me, there are some things that are simply better experienced firsthand, and I’d hate to spoil any of the surprises for those who haven’t had the pleasure of seeing it yet. All I can say is that Oh, Mary! is an absolute riot from beginning to end. It’s bold, outrageous, wonderfully absurd, and exactly the kind of theatrical experience that reminds you how much fun live theater can be when it dares to be completely different. I can certainly understand why this little production has become such a big sensation on Broadway and why audiences have been embracing it wherever it goes.
If you’re looking for something a little different, don’t miss this one. Whether you’re a fan of campy comedy, wonderfully twisted humor, or simply in the mood for a good night of laughter, Oh, Mary! delivers in spades. I walked out of the Ahmanson with a huge smile on my face and still thinking about some of those wonderfully ridiculous moments. Do yourself a favor and get yourself a ticket. This is one historical comedy lesson you won’t soon forget—it’s playing now through December 6th in Los Angeles before it makes its way across the country—get tickets here!
PHOTOS | EVAN ZIMMERMAN FOR MURPHYMADE