Jane Krakowski is heading back to Broadway, and this time, she’s bringing her signature flair to the White House. The Tony-winning actress has officially been announced as the next star to take on the lead role in Broadway’s runaway hit Oh, Mary!, stepping into the corseted shoes of Mary Todd Lincoln for a strictly limited, eight-week run beginning October 14.
Krakowski will succeed two-time RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon, who wraps up her celebrated run on September 28. Hannah Solow, a longtime understudy for the role since the show’s original Off-Broadway debut, will temporarily assume the role from September 30 to October 12.
The show, which has become a cultural juggernaut since opening on Broadway on July 11, 2024, was written by and originally starred Cole Escola. Their outrageous, genre-defying portrayal of a deeply unhinged and fabulously fictionalized Mary Todd Lincoln earned Escola a Tony Award and set the tone for a parade of celebrated guest stars. Since Escola’s exit, the role has been taken on by a dazzling lineup including Tituss Burgess, Betty Gilpin, and now Jinkx Monsoon—each bringing their own flavor to this irreverent historical fantasia.
From Camp to Classic: Oh, Mary!’s Meteoric Rise
Directed by Tony Award winner Sam Pinkleton, Oh, Mary! is an audacious, queer-leaning dark comedy that imagines Abraham Lincoln’s famously eccentric wife as a boozy, needy, wildly campy theatrical diva, complete with musical interludes, biting satire, and wigs that deserve their own billing.
What began as a cult hit Off-Broadway quickly skyrocketed to Broadway acclaim, smashing box office records and becoming the first production of the 2024–2025 Broadway season to fully recoup its investment. The show has shattered its own weekly gross twelve times since opening and is now selling tickets through July 5, 2026.
Its enduring popularity lies not only in its absurdist take on American history but also in its revolving-door casting of queer icons and theatre powerhouses. With Jane Krakowski taking the reins, the show is poised to attract even more mainstream and LGBTQ+ audiences eager to see one of Broadway’s brightest lights take on one of its most eccentric roles.
A Role Fit for a Queen (of Comedy)
In a statement, Krakowski expressed both her gratitude and her humor, saying:
“Thank you, Cole, for giving us this madcap work of genius, directed to perfection by Tony Award winner Sam Pinkleton. 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.”
Known for her scene-stealing roles as Jenna Maroney on NBC’s 30 Rock and Jacqueline White on Netflix’s Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Krakowski brings decades of comedic prowess and musical talent to the stage. But Broadway is no side gig for her—she’s a bona fide theatre darling.
She won a Tony Award for her sultry and spirited turn as Carla in the 2003 revival of Nine, and earned nominations for She Loves Me (2016) and Grand Hotel (1989). Her other Broadway credits include Company, Once Upon a Mattress, Tartuffe, and Starlight Express. Across the pond, she won an Olivier Award for her role in Guys and Dolls in London’s West End.
Her return to the Broadway stage is not just a casting coup, it’s a homecoming.
Passing the Torch
Jinkx Monsoon’s time in Oh, Mary! has been met with widespread acclaim, with critics praising her blend of pathos and pure absurdity. Her exit on September 28 will mark the end of yet another successful run for the production, which has become a platform for queer performers to stretch their theatrical chops in wildly unexpected ways.
Hannah Solow, a trusted understudy with intimate familiarity with the show’s chaotic rhythm and unpredictable energy, will take over for a two-week run before Krakowski begins her tenure. Her brief turn offers audiences a unique glimpse into the evolution of the show’s central role from backstage to spotlight.
A Queer Cultural Moment
What makes Oh, Mary! such a standout in the current Broadway landscape is its unabashed queerness and its refusal to play by the rules. The play doesn’t just flirt with camp, it runs a full marathon in stilettos. By casting a rotating roster of queer and gender-diverse performers in the lead, the production has become a living, breathing celebration of LGBTQ+ talent.
Its creator, Cole Escola, described the show as “a love letter to gay chaos, historical inaccuracy, and the melodrama of identity.” And that ethos continues with every new cast member who takes the stage.
Whether it’s Burgess belting opera, Gilpin serving tragic comedy realness, or Jinkx Monsoon transforming Lincoln’s widow into a glam-rock siren, Oh, Mary! delivers a masterclass in theatrical transformation.
Krakowski’s turn promises to be just as iconic, with her Broadway pedigree and comedic chops perfectly suited for the role’s high drama and lowbrow hilarity.
Tickets and Show Info
Oh, Mary! is currently playing at the Lyceum Theatre on Broadway. Tickets are available now through July 5, 2026, with Krakowski performing from October 14 for a limited eight-week run.
For ticketing and show details, visit OhMaryOnBroadway.com or official Broadway ticketing platforms.
