A Royal Ruckus: The 'New Hamilton' that's got everyone talking is none other than a scathing satire about Mary Todd Lincoln - the infamous wife of President Abraham Lincoln.
Imagine a raunchy cabaret show starring Mary Todd Lincoln, the first lady who couldn't care less about her husband's historic presidency. In reality, she was notorious for her lavish spending and erratic behavior, often leaving a trail of scandal in her wake. But what if this unhinged, boozy, and unapologetic woman had bigger aspirations? What if she dreamed of becoming a star?
That's exactly the premise behind Oh, Mary!, an outrageous and sidesplitting theatrical romp that has taken Broadway by storm. Cole Escola, the show's writer and lead actor, has conjured up a wildly absurd portrayal of Mary Todd Lincoln - a drunk, flirtatious, and fantastically over-the-top caricature.
As the play hurtles towards its climax, Mary's innermost desires are revealed: to outshine her husband, crush it on stage, and outdo her opponents in a battle for fame. With the help of her witty confidantes, she concocts a plan that's equal parts outrageous and sublime.
Mary Todd Lincoln's story has long been overshadowed by her infamous husband's legacy. But what about this fascinating woman who refused to be silenced? As author Catherine Clinton notes, "Any show that prompts a new look at Mary Lincoln gets my endorsement." And Oh, Mary! is precisely that - a bold exercise in pop culture satire that subverts expectations and leaves you grinning.
Meanwhile, the West End's Trafalgar theatre is set to host Mason Alexander Park's take on this iconic role. As they so astutely put it: "Mary is a mess and a menace. But she's also someone who really wants to share what they have inside of them." This charming actor's passion for Mary Todd Lincoln shines through in every performance, making you question whether she's the real deal or just a wacky alter ego.
Critics like Michael Billington argue that theatre audiences worldwide are primed for more 'Hamilton-esque' experiences - but here's the thing: Oh, Mary! stands on its own terms as a joyous and rambunctious romp. "Fundamentally ridiculous," claims Theatre Review host Nancy Durrant, it has captured the hearts of fans who revel in this delightfully daft show.
While this raucous satire isn't without controversy - some have argued that it pokes fun at Mary Todd Lincoln's legacy in ways both hurtful and humorous - Cole Escola insists: "Diversity creates better art." And as the curtain falls on Oh, Mary!, you'll see what he means.
Is Oh, Mary! the new Hamilton? Well, that depends on who you ask. But one thing is for sure: this rip-roaring cabaret extravaganza has become a global phenomenon in its own right, proving that there's still room for irreverent entertainment that defies conventions and makes you laugh - hard.
Imagine a raunchy cabaret show starring Mary Todd Lincoln, the first lady who couldn't care less about her husband's historic presidency. In reality, she was notorious for her lavish spending and erratic behavior, often leaving a trail of scandal in her wake. But what if this unhinged, boozy, and unapologetic woman had bigger aspirations? What if she dreamed of becoming a star?
That's exactly the premise behind Oh, Mary!, an outrageous and sidesplitting theatrical romp that has taken Broadway by storm. Cole Escola, the show's writer and lead actor, has conjured up a wildly absurd portrayal of Mary Todd Lincoln - a drunk, flirtatious, and fantastically over-the-top caricature.
As the play hurtles towards its climax, Mary's innermost desires are revealed: to outshine her husband, crush it on stage, and outdo her opponents in a battle for fame. With the help of her witty confidantes, she concocts a plan that's equal parts outrageous and sublime.
Mary Todd Lincoln's story has long been overshadowed by her infamous husband's legacy. But what about this fascinating woman who refused to be silenced? As author Catherine Clinton notes, "Any show that prompts a new look at Mary Lincoln gets my endorsement." And Oh, Mary! is precisely that - a bold exercise in pop culture satire that subverts expectations and leaves you grinning.
Meanwhile, the West End's Trafalgar theatre is set to host Mason Alexander Park's take on this iconic role. As they so astutely put it: "Mary is a mess and a menace. But she's also someone who really wants to share what they have inside of them." This charming actor's passion for Mary Todd Lincoln shines through in every performance, making you question whether she's the real deal or just a wacky alter ego.
Critics like Michael Billington argue that theatre audiences worldwide are primed for more 'Hamilton-esque' experiences - but here's the thing: Oh, Mary! stands on its own terms as a joyous and rambunctious romp. "Fundamentally ridiculous," claims Theatre Review host Nancy Durrant, it has captured the hearts of fans who revel in this delightfully daft show.
While this raucous satire isn't without controversy - some have argued that it pokes fun at Mary Todd Lincoln's legacy in ways both hurtful and humorous - Cole Escola insists: "Diversity creates better art." And as the curtain falls on Oh, Mary!, you'll see what he means.
Is Oh, Mary! the new Hamilton? Well, that depends on who you ask. But one thing is for sure: this rip-roaring cabaret extravaganza has become a global phenomenon in its own right, proving that there's still room for irreverent entertainment that defies conventions and makes you laugh - hard.
I gotta say, this 'New Hamilton' is getting a lot of buzz! But honestly, I think Oh, Mary! is something special 
. It's amazing how they've turned a potentially negative image into something so positive and empowering. I mean, who wouldn't want to see a strong, sassy, and unapologetic woman on stage? 
The fact that it's poking fun at Mary Todd Lincoln's flaws is genius - it shows that even the most complicated people can be reimagined in a way that's both humorous and relatable. And Cole Escola's performance sounds incredible 
. I love how the show is embracing its absurdity and refusing to take itself too seriously. It's like a big ol' party on stage, and I am HERE. FOR. IT! 
i'm intrigued, but also a bit skeptical... i mean, can a show really get it right when it's poking fun at someone as complex and multifaceted as mary todd lincoln? still thinking about it 
the fact that critics are saying it's not just about mocking Mary Todd Lincoln but also about celebrating her individuality is everything! 
diversity creating better art is indeed true, and i'm so glad Cole Escola is leading the charge.
... "Hamilton" is actually Lin-Manuel Miranda's magnum opus, not some unknown show 
. It's a game-changer in the world of musical theater, no doubt about it 
. Oh, Mary!, on the other hand, might be fun and all, but it's still a satirical take on Mary Todd Lincoln's life 
. Anyway, back to Oh, Mary!... it seems like it's got some serious momentum behind it 
.
! Like, who knew she was so extra? 
can't wait to see Mason Alexander Park bring that energy to the stage 
- it's like a juicy cabaret show, but with a message about embracing your quirks and living life on your own terms 
. Anyway, I'm all about giving a platform to Mary Todd Lincoln - she was a strong woman ahead of her time, and this show is a great reminder that even the most scandalous people have stories worth telling 
. Like, what about this woman who was basically a queen in her own right? She had the power, the wealth, and the wit to shape her own destiny. And yet, we often reduce her to just being "Abraham's wife" or some other label that diminishes her individuality.
. It's not just about satire; it's about giving us permission to laugh at ourselves and celebrate our own flaws.
. And who knows, maybe this is what we need – a good dose of irreverence and playfulness to shake us out of our complacency 
, but overall I think it's genius. The fact that they're subverting expectations and having fun with Mary Todd Lincoln's legacy is what makes it so cool. And Cole Escola's performance sounds incredible - he's got this amazing energy about him.
Come on, folks, can we please take a step back and think about whether or not this is really something we should be celebrating? It just seems like another case of 'look at me, I'm a rebel' with Mary Todd Lincoln as the poster child. And don't even get me started on how they're using satire to make her out to be some kind of sex symbol... no thanks! 
. The cast is talented, especially Cole Escola as Mary Todd Lincoln - she's like the Rachel Green of the 19th century 
. It's also crazy to think that we're still learning more about her story today - it's like discovering old family secrets or something 
.
oh and btw if you're looking for a real hollywood icon to satirize, i'd say go after kevin hart instead
. And can we talk about Mason Alexander Park's take on Mary? They're absolute perfection 
. I love that it's not trying to change history or anything, just having fun with it. And the fact that it's already getting a West End version is insane