For fans of both comedy and Broadway, there’s a new reason to head to the Lyceum Theatre this summer. Maya Rudolph, the Emmy-winning star best known for her unforgettable run on Saturday Night Live and her role in Bridesmaids, has just extended her limited engagement in the title role of Cole Escola’s hit play Oh, Mary! by two weeks, now set to perform through July 5, 2026. The announcement, made by producers Kevin McCollum, Lucas McMahon, Mike Lavoie, and Carlee Briglia, comes on the heels of a record-shattering debut week for Rudolph that has the theater world buzzing.
When Rudolph first took the stage as Mary Todd Lincoln on April 28, 2026, she was already following in the footsteps of a remarkable roster of actors. The role, originally created by the show’s writer Cole Escola, has been played by a rotating cast of talents including Betty Gilpin, Tituss Burgess, Jinkx Monsoon, Hannah Solow, Jane Krakowski, and John Cameron Mitchell. Even across the pond, the West End has seen Mason Alexander Park and Catherine Tate don the black period dress and take up the teacup as the show’s Mary.
But it’s Rudolph’s turn as the repressed, alcoholic, cabaret-star-wannabe Mary Todd Lincoln—set in the tumultuous weeks leading up to Abraham Lincoln’s assassination—that has electrified audiences and critics alike. According to Deadline, her first week at the Lyceum Theatre saw weekly grosses soar to $1,540,980, smashing both the show’s and the theater’s previous records. The Friday, May 1, 2026, performance alone brought in $199,935, setting yet another house record. The Lyceum, a Broadway mainstay for 121 years, had never before seen a show gross more than $1,000,000 in a single week until Oh, Mary! came along. It’s a feat the production has now repeated 13 times, making it the first show of the 2024-25 Broadway season to recoup its investment—a rare and coveted milestone in the world of live theater.
The show’s success is due in no small part to the creative vision behind it. Directed by Sam Pinkleton, whose previous credits include The Rocky Horror Show, Oh, Mary! takes a bold, comedic approach to historical fiction, giving audiences a Mary Todd Lincoln unlike any they’ve seen before. Escola’s script doesn’t shy away from the absurd, painting Mary as a woman desperate to escape the shadow of her famous husband and the constraints of her era. Instead, she longs for the spotlight, dreaming of a life as a cabaret star—a premise that’s as poignant as it is hilarious.
Rudolph’s performance has been described as both riotous and touching, a balancing act that’s become something of her trademark. She’s joined on stage by a talented ensemble cast: Phillip James Brannon, Cheyenne Jackson, Bianca Leigh, and Tony Macht. Each brings their own flair to the production, but it’s Rudolph’s comedic timing and emotional depth that have drawn the lion’s share of attention. As New York Theatre Guide notes, "Rudolph, who is best known for her seven-year tenure on Saturday Night Live, stars alongside Phillip James Brannon, Cheyenne Jackson, Bianca Leigh, and Tony Macht."
It’s not just the cast and creative team that have made Oh, Mary! a sensation. The play’s premise—a satirical reimagining of Mary Todd Lincoln as a woman battling her own demons and yearning for the stage—has struck a chord with audiences hungry for something fresh. The comedy unfolds in the weeks leading up to Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, but rather than focusing on the tragic, the play zeroes in on Mary’s internal struggles and her outlandish aspirations. It’s a comedic twist on a familiar historical narrative, and it’s proven to be a winning formula.
The role of Mary has become something of a coveted part in both New York and London. According to New York Theatre Guide, "Previous stars to play the role of Mary include Tituss Burgess, Betty Gilpin, Jinkx Monsoon, and Jane Krakowski, while in the West End the part has been performed by Mason Alexander Park and Catherine Tate." This revolving door of high-profile talent has kept the production fresh and unpredictable, but Rudolph’s star power and comedic chops have taken the show’s popularity to new heights.
For Rudolph, the role marks a significant milestone: her Broadway debut. Despite an illustrious career on screen and television—she’s an Emmy winner and a household name thanks to Saturday Night Live and Bridesmaids—stepping onto the Broadway stage is a new chapter. It’s a move that’s paid off, both for her and for the production. The numbers speak for themselves: in her first week, the show not only broke its own box office records but also set a new standard for the Lyceum Theatre.
It’s worth noting just how rare it is for a Broadway production to recoup its investment, let alone do so within a single season. Oh, Mary! has accomplished this feat, becoming the first show of the 2024-25 Broadway season to reach this financial benchmark. The combination of a buzzworthy star, a daring script, and a director with a knack for blending humor and heart has proven irresistible to theatergoers.
The extension of Rudolph’s engagement is a testament to the show’s momentum. Originally slated to end on June 20, her run will now continue through July 5, giving fans a little extra time to catch her in action. The news was met with enthusiasm by both audiences and the production team, who see Rudolph’s presence as a driving force behind the play’s continued success.
Of course, the show’s appeal isn’t limited to its headliner. The entire cast brings depth and energy to the stage, and the direction by Sam Pinkleton ensures that the comedy never overshadows the humanity at the heart of the story. The play’s unique blend of historical context and modern sensibility makes it a standout in a crowded Broadway season.
As the Lyceum Theatre continues to host sold-out performances and record-breaking box office numbers, it’s clear that Oh, Mary! has tapped into something special. Whether it’s the allure of seeing Maya Rudolph in her Broadway debut, the inventive take on a historical figure, or the sheer fun of Escola’s script, audiences are flocking to see what all the fuss is about. And with two more weeks added to Rudolph’s run, there’s still time to join them.
In a Broadway landscape that’s always searching for the next big hit, Oh, Mary! has proven itself to be both a critical and commercial triumph, with Maya Rudolph’s performance at its heart. For theater lovers and comedy fans alike, this is one show that’s not to be missed.