SNL's Maya Rudolph to Make Broadway Debut as Mary Todd Lincoln

The comedian will star in the hit comedy play "Oh Mary!" for an eight-week run this spring.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 12:02am

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Saturday Night Live star Maya Rudolph is set to make her Broadway debut, taking on the role of former First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln in the hit comedy play "Oh Mary!". The play, which imagines Mary Todd Lincoln as a deranged wannabe cabaret star, will open on April 28 for an eight-week run through June 20. Rudolph is the latest in a line of bold-face names to portray the role, following Tony Award winner Cole Escola and others.

Why it matters

Rudolph's casting in the acclaimed play marks a major milestone in her career, as she transitions from beloved sketch comedy star to serious dramatic actress on the Broadway stage. The play has been a box office smash, breaking its own weekly sales record 12 times, and Rudolph's star power is expected to drive even greater interest and ticket sales.

The details

"Oh Mary!" is a Pulitzer-nominated play that imagines Mary Todd Lincoln as a deranged, alcoholic wannabe cabaret performer who clashes with her husband, President Abraham Lincoln, as he tries to end the Civil War. The play opened on Broadway in July 2024 at the Lyceum Theatre, becoming the first show in the venue's 121-year history to gross over $1 million in a single week.

  • The play "Oh Mary!" will open on April 28, 2026 and run for eight weeks through June 20, 2026.
  • The play has been extended on Broadway through January 3, 2027.

The players

Maya Rudolph

An American actress, comedian, and singer best known for her work on the sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live.

Mary Todd Lincoln

The wife of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, and the First Lady of the United States from 1861 to 1865.

Cole Escola

An American actor, comedian, and writer who won a Tony Award for his performance as Mary Todd Lincoln in "Oh Mary!".

Sam Pinkleton

The director of the Broadway play "Oh Mary!".

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What they’re saying

“Ever since I was a little girl, I have dreamed of being Cole Escola. 'Oh, Mary!' is the funniest play I have ever seen, and I have seen a lot of plays, you'd be surprised. It's such an honour to play the role of Mary, especially after so many iconic Marys have come before me. So making my Broadway debut in the role of a lifetime -- as a miserable, suffocated, alcoholic woman is a real dream come true.”

— Maya Rudolph (Variety)

What’s next

The producers have announced that "Oh, Mary!" has been extended on Broadway through January 3, 2027, though it is unclear who will assume the role of Mary Todd Lincoln after Rudolph departs the production over the summer.

The takeaway

Maya Rudolph's casting as Mary Todd Lincoln in the hit Broadway play "Oh Mary!" represents a major career milestone for the beloved SNL comedian, as she transitions to dramatic stage acting and takes on the role of an iconic historical figure. The play's continued box office success and extensions demonstrate the enduring appeal of this unique take on the life of the former First Lady.