Frontmezzjunkies reports: Jane Krakowski will Star in the Cole Escola Comedy for a Limited Engagement
As a devoted theatre fan and critic, I couldn’t be more thrilled to see the news that Tony winner Jane Krakowski will be stepping into the starry role in Cole Escola’s wildly inventive Oh, Mary! for a limited engagement. Having watched her phenomenal career unfold—from her debut in Starlight Express and her Tony-winning turn in Nine to her hilarious role as Jenna Maroney on 30 Rock—Krakowski is a true Broadway icon. Her previous Broadway return, as Ilona in the 2016 revival of She Loves Me, earned Krakowski a very deserving Tony nomination, making her return to the stage, especially in a show as daring and hilarious as Oh, Mary!, an absolute gift. I’ve been eager to see her back on Broadway, and now, with her joining the cast, I’m counting down the days.
Oh, Mary! has become a cult favorite, a madcap celebration of history, humor, and unhinged cabaret—directed to perfection by Tony Award winner Sam Pinkleton. I’ve always admired Cole Escola’s genius, and I can only imagine how Krakowski’s effortless comic timing and star power will elevate this already brilliant production. From what I’ve heard, she’s a perfect fit for this absurd, over-the-top role, and I can’t wait to see her shyly take her place in what promises to be one of the most unforgettable theatrical moments this season. If you’re lucky enough to get a ticket, trust me—you’re in for a wild, hilarious ride you won’t soon forget.
“Thank you, Cole, for giving us this madcap work of genius, directed to perfection by Tony Award winner Sam Pinkleton,” says Krakowski. “I am so honored to slip into the bratty curls previously worn by (my Tony Award–winning zaddy) Cole Escola, (my sister wife) Betty Gilpin, (my comedy brother) Tituss Burgess, and (mother) Jinkx Monsoon. From the first time I watched Oh, Mary! downtown I thought, ‘how do I get myself on that stage in this role?’ After watching Cole take the NYC taxi ride uptown and now worshipping it four times more, I made it! Oh, Mary! is a comedic work of genius that ends up in my dream version of seven minutes in heaven.”
Seeing Jane Krakowski step into this wild, hilarious world where Cole Escola’s Oh, Mary! is already causing waves is truly exhilarating. Her comedic timing, star power, and undeniable charm promise to bring fresh life to a role that’s already become a cult sensation. I’ve been dying to see her return to the stage, and now, watching her inhabit these bratty curls and sassy sass—like a queen of chaotic cabaret—I can’t wait to experience her magic in this madcap masterpiece. Since its debut at off-Broadway’s Lucille Lortel and its record-breaking run on Broadway, Oh, Mary! has become a must-see, and with Krakowski’s arrival, I have no doubt it’ll reach even greater heights.
And let’s not forget the stellar cast, with Jinkx Monsoon as Mary, Kumail Nanjiani as Mary’s Husband, Michael Urie as her Teacher, Jenn Harris as her Chaperone, and Tony Macht as the Assistant. This talented lineup—performing through September 28 and with the delightful Hannah Solow stepping in full-time later in October—makes every scene a riot of wit, chaos, and unforgettable madness. Escola’s twisted take on Mary Todd Lincoln, “through the lens of an idiot,” is already a tour de force that I cannot wait to see performed live. Trust me, this show isn’t just a theatrical event; it’s a deliciously crazy ride you’ll be talking about long after the curtain falls.
