Jinkx Monsoon has been cast to play Mary Todd Lincoln in the Tony Award-winning Broadway play Oh, Mary! created by Cole Escola and directed by Sam Pinkleton. The Broadway darling and RuPaul's Drag Race legend's eight-week run is scheduled to start on August 4.
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Monsoon made the official announcement on The Today Show this Wednesday, June 18, saying:
"As you may know, Oh, Many! has been the show on everyone's lips thanks to my friends Sam Pinkleton and Cole Escola, who created one of the best shows of all time. And I will be taking over the role of Mary Todd Lincoln starting August 4."
"To be very clear, I am in Pirates! until the end of the run of Pirates!. And then, about a week later, I take over Mary Todd." When asked how she planned to do all of that at the same time, Monsoon replied, "I'm a witch, baby. I find ways."
Monsoon added, "I told my agents, 'I have to take August off unless Oh, Mary! calls.' And they went, 'Oh, Mary! called.'"
Full portrait of Jinkx Monsoon as Mary Todd Lincoln in Oh, Mary! on Broadway.
Courtesy of Oh, Mary! on Broadway/Daniel Rampulla (@danielrampulla)
"I feel very honored and privileged to be in this position right now because, as a trans feminine actress, I was convinced this wasn't possible, you know?" Monsoon explained. "I thought I had to choose to be an actor or choose to be a trans person, but I didn't think the world was gonna let me be both."
She continued, "And what's been so beautiful is that, as soon as I kind of made it to this Broadway world, it felt like there was a space already waiting for me. To be on Broadway at this time with people like Cole Escola, and Darren Criss, and Audra McDonald. They're all doing these incredible things. They're friends of mine, and I get to celebrate. It's really just been a magical time."
Michelle Buteau noted, "And you know that, by creating a space for yourself — wholly and safely — you're creating so many other spaces for so many other trans actors and trans people."
"That's the hope, definitely," Monsoon replied. "I want the door to stay open behind me. [This moment is] only because of trans actresses and drag performers on Broadway before me: Angelica Ross, Laverne Cox, Peppermint — my good friend Peppermint, who originated a role as a trans feminine actress before I did. These people paved the way for me to be here, and I want to do the same for others."
Monsoon's eight-week run on Oh, Mary! is scheduled to take place between August 4 and September 27. Until then, the performer will conclude her run on Broadway's Pirates! The Penzance Musical, in which she plays Ruth.
Besides Monsoon's casting, Oh, Mary! has been officially extended until January 2026 following its critical praise at the Tonys and continuous commercial success at the box office. This week, for instance, Oh, Mary! broke the house record at the Lyceum Theatre for the 12th time — "a six-figure increase from the week previous, to see it take in nearly $1.4 million," Playbill reports.
Overall, Monsoon will be the fourth-ever performer to play the Emmy Award-winning role, following Cole Escola (who created the show and originated the role), Betty Gilpin, and Tituss Burgess. Notably, Monsoon will be the first new performer to play the part since Oh, Mary! won two Tony Awards.
Cole Escola; Betty Gilpin; Tituss Burgess; Jinkx Monsoon in Oh, Mary! on Broadway.
Courtesy of Oh, Mary! on Broadway
As previously announced, playwright and original star Cole Escola, who won a 2025 Tony Award for their portrayal of 'Mary Todd Lincoln,' will play their final performance on June 21. Then, six-time Emmy nominee Tituss Burgess (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) will return to the role of 'Mary Todd Lincoln' for an encore six-week engagement between June 23 and August 2. Burgess initially played the role between March 18 and April 6, replacing three-time Emmy Award nominee Betty Gilpin.
It's also been announced this Wednesday, June 18, that original Oh, Mary! cast members such as Conrad Ricamora, James Scully, Bianca Leigh, and Tony Macht will remain on the show through August 2.
For tickets, dates, and more information about Oh, Mary! on Broadway, visit OhMaryPlay.com.
Official poster of Jinkx Monsoon as Mary Todd Lincoln in Oh, Mary! on Broadway.
Courtesy of Oh, Mary! on Broadway
