Have you ever wondered who made history at the Tony Awards? Cole Escola, a talented performer, became the first nonbinary actor to win Best Leading Actor in a Play in 2025. This win is a big deal for Broadway. It shows that nonbinary people can shine on the biggest stages. Moreover, it opens doors for more diverse stories in theater. In this article, we explore Cole Escola’s journey, their amazing play Oh, Mary!, and why this Tony win is the most important moment for nonbinary representation. Let’s dive into this exciting story.
Who Is Cole Escola?
Cole Escola grew up in Clatskanie, Oregon. They loved performing from a young age. First, they made funny videos on YouTube. These videos became very popular. Next, they acted in TV shows like Difficult People and At Home with Amy Sedaris. Their comedy style is silly and smart. Additionally, Cole identifies as nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns. This means they don’t see themselves as just a man or a woman. Their identity makes their work special. Furthermore, Cole moved from TV to theater. They started with small shows Off-Broadway. Then, they wrote and starred in Oh, Mary!, their Broadway debut. This play changed their career forever.
Cole’s journey shows hard work pays off. They started with simple videos. Now, they are a Broadway star. Also, their nonbinary identity helps them connect with many fans. People love their honesty and humor. In short, Cole Escola is a trailblazer. Their story inspires others to follow their dreams.
The Play: Oh, Mary!
Oh, Mary! is a funny play about Mary Todd Lincoln. Cole Escola wrote it and plays Mary. The play imagines Mary as a wild, drunken woman who wants to be a cabaret star. Her husband, Abraham Lincoln, is shown as a grumpy, closeted man. The story happens before Lincoln’s assassination. Moreover, the play is full of jokes and surprises. It’s not a serious history lesson. Instead, it’s a crazy comedy that makes people laugh for 80 minutes.
The play started Off-Broadway at the Lucille Lortel Theatre. It sold out fast. Then, it moved to Broadway’s Lyceum Theater. Critics loved it. For example, The New York Times called it one of the best comedies in years. Audiences agree. They laugh at Cole’s wild performance. Additionally, the play has other great actors, like Conrad Ricamora as Abraham Lincoln. The director, Sam Pinkleton, also won a Tony for the show. In summary, Oh, Mary! is a hit because it’s funny, bold, and different.
The Historic Tony Win
On June 8, 2025, the 78th Tony Awards happened at Radio City Music Hall. Cole Escola won Best Leading Actor in a Play for Oh, Mary!. This made history. They are the first nonbinary actor to win this award. Moreover, they beat big stars like George Clooney and Daniel Dae Kim. During their speech, Cole thanked their friends, mom, and even someone from Grindr named T-Bone. Their speech was funny and heartfelt.
This win is special because the Tony Awards use gendered categories. This means awards are split into “actor” and “actress.” Cole chose to compete as an actor. Their win shows nonbinary people can succeed in these categories. However, it’s not the first nonbinary Tony win. In 2023, J. Harrison Ghee won Best Actor in a Musical for Some Like It Hot. Also, Alex Newell won Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Shucked. Still, Cole’s win is unique. It’s the first for a play’s leading role. In conclusion, this Tony win is a huge step for nonbinary actors.
Impact on Nonbinary Representation
Representation matters in theater. When people see someone like them on stage, they feel inspired. Cole Escola’s win helps nonbinary people feel seen. First, it shows they can be stars in big plays. Next, it encourages other nonbinary actors to try theater. Additionally, it tells Broadway to tell more diverse stories. For example, Oh, Mary! is not a typical play. It’s weird and funny, just like Cole. Their success proves different voices matter.
Broadway is changing. Some awards, like the Drama Desk Awards, now use gender-neutral categories. This means no “actor” or “actress” labels. The Tonys still use gendered categories. However, Cole’s win might push for change. Still, nonbinary actors face challenges. For instance, some people don’t understand nonbinary identities. Others think theater should stay traditional. Despite this, Cole’s win is a victory. It shows progress is possible. In short, Cole Escola is making theater more inclusive.
The Broader Cultural Context
Nonbinary people are more visible in entertainment now. For example, stars like Emma Corrin and Bella Ramsey identify as nonbinary. In theater, J. Harrison Ghee and Alex Newell paved the way. Cole Escola adds to this progress. Their Tony win is part of a bigger story. Awards like the Tonys shape how we see culture. When a nonbinary person wins, it tells the world their stories matter.
People had mixed reactions to Cole’s win. Many fans cheered on social media. They called it a proud moment for nonbinary representation. However, some people were confused or upset. They didn’t understand why a nonbinary person won in the “actor” category. Despite this, the positive reactions were louder. For instance, posts on X praised Cole’s talent and humor. Moreover, their win sparked talks about gender in awards. In summary, Cole’s achievement is a cultural milestone. It shows how far we’ve come and how far we can go.
What’s Next for Cole Escola?
Cole Escola’s future looks bright. They will leave Oh, Mary! on June 21, 2025. The play ends its Broadway run on September 28. Next, Cole might work on new plays or TV shows. They have a big fan base from their comedy work. Also, they consulted on the TV show Hacks and wrote for The Other Two. These projects show they can do many things.
Cole’s influence is growing. They inspire young actors, especially nonbinary ones. Their bold style makes theater exciting. Furthermore, they might push for more inclusive awards. Fans can support Cole by watching their shows or following them online. In conclusion, Cole Escola is just getting started. Their next steps will likely make more history.
Conclusion
Cole Escola’s Tony win is a huge moment for Broadway. They became the first nonbinary actor to win Best Leading Actor in a Play. Their play, Oh, Mary!, is funny and unique. Moreover, their win helps nonbinary people feel seen. It shows theater is for everyone. Let’s celebrate Cole and support diverse voices. The future of Broadway is bright because of stars like them. Keep watching for more amazing stories!
FAQs
1. Who is Cole Escola?
Cole Escola is a nonbinary actor, writer, and comedian. They won a Tony Award in 2025 for Oh, Mary!. They are from Oregon and started with YouTube videos.
2. What is Oh, Mary! about?
Oh, Mary! is a comedy play about Mary Todd Lincoln. Cole Escola plays Mary as a drunken woman who wants to be a cabaret star. It’s funny and not historical.
3. Why is Cole Escola’s Tony win historic?
Cole is the first nonbinary actor to win Best Leading Actor in a Play. This happened at the 2025 Tony Awards. It’s a big step for nonbinary representation.
4. How does Cole Escola identify?
Cole identifies as nonbinary. They use they/them pronouns. This means they don’t see themselves as just a man or a woman.
5. What other nonbinary actors have won Tony Awards?
In 2023, J. Harrison Ghee won Best Actor in a Musical for Some Like It Hot. Alex Newell won Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Shucked.
6. How did Cole Escola prepare for Oh, Mary!?
Cole wrote the play and practiced their role a lot. They used their comedy skills to make Mary Todd Lincoln funny and wild.
7. What impact does Cole Escola’s win have on Broadway?
It shows nonbinary actors can be stars. It also pushes Broadway to be more inclusive and tell diverse stories.
8. What are Cole Escola’s future projects?
Cole might work on new plays or TV shows. They left Oh, Mary! in June 2025. Fans are excited to see what’s next.
9. How does Oh, Mary! challenge traditional theater?
The play is silly and bold. It doesn’t follow history. Instead, it uses comedy to tell a new story about Mary Todd Lincoln.
10. Why are gender-neutral awards important?
Gender-neutral awards let everyone compete together. They make awards fairer for nonbinary people and others who don’t fit “actor” or “actress” labels.