Hit Comedy 'Oh, Mary!' Brings Its Outrageous Presidential Farce to L.A.

The hit comedic play "Oh, Mary!" is opening this week at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles for a nearly month-long run, with the vast majority of its tickets selling out in advance. Written by Cole Escola and directed by Sam Pinkleton, the show focuses on an unhinged version of presidential spouse Mary Todd Lincoln and her desire to leave the White House for a career in show business. The production has experienced massive success since its early 2024 off-Broadway run and subsequent Broadway transfer, quickly becoming one of the most sought-after tickets in theater.

Casting and Touring

For the current national tour arriving in Los Angeles, the lead role of Mary is played by drag queen Alaska Thunderfuck. Director Sam Pinkleton notes that while he initially felt nervous about staging the play in massive 2,100-seat rooms like the Ahmanson, seeing it at San Francisco's Curran theater proved that its unsubtle, high-energy humor succeeds in large spaces. Over the last two and a half years, the role has been taken on by a succession of actors including both drag performers and cis women, following standby Hannah Solow who previously took over the part on Broadway. Pinkleton praises Alaska Thunderfuck as a rigorous, disciplined professional who approaches the wacky role with the seriousness of a dramatic actress.

Context

The Ahmanson Theatre has already announced that due to high demand, "Oh, Mary!" will return for another engagement in 2027. The play draws inspiration from classic television comedy formats like Carol Burnett, "The Muppet Show," "I Love Lucy," and Sid Caesar's early sketches, helping it appeal to audiences far beyond traditional theater crowds.