Cole Escola literally changes history in 'Oh, Mary!'
Digest
Cole Escola, star of the upcoming Broadway play "O-Mary," joins "It's Been a Minute" to discuss the play's historical hijinks and the freedom of playing a hateable character. Escola explains that the play reimagines Mary Todd Lincoln as a raging alcoholic with cabaret dreams and Abraham Lincoln as an evil, closeted gay man. He shares that the idea for the play stemmed from an email he sent himself in 2009, and that he envisions Mary as a Miss Piggy-esque figure who is unconcerned with how she comes across. Escola also discusses his own experiences as an actor and how he relates to Mary's struggles with being pigeonholed and not being taken seriously. He emphasizes the freeing aspect of playing a character who doesn't care about likeability, drawing parallels to his own experiences playing older women characters and his fascination with femininity. Escola also touches on the gender play in his roles, particularly with villainous women characters, and how he sees it as a reflection of who is allowed to own their femininity. He concludes by discussing his grandmother's influence on his work and how her stories, even when repeated, taught him about the importance of embracing feelings and owning one's femininity.
Outlines
Introduction
This Chapter introduces the podcast "It's Been a Minute" and its host, Brittany Loose. It also provides a brief overview of the show's focus on cultural trends and their underlying motivations.
Cole Escola on "O-Mary"
This Chapter features an interview with Cole Escola, star and creator of the upcoming Broadway play "O-Mary." Escola discusses the play's premise, which reimagines Mary Todd Lincoln as a raging alcoholic with cabaret dreams and Abraham Lincoln as an evil, closeted gay man. He shares his inspiration for the play, his vision for Mary's character, and the freedom he finds in playing a hateable character.
Hey Brittany: Historical Comedy Suggestions
This Chapter features listener calls to the "Hey Brittany" segment, where listeners suggest historical figures they would like to see portrayed in a comedy. The suggestions include Cleopatra, William Shakespeare, and Malcolm X. Brittany Loose discusses the potential for comedic interpretations of these figures and their historical contexts.
Hey Brittany: Recovery
This Chapter concludes the "Hey Brittany" segment with a call for listeners to share their experiences with recovery. Brittany Loose invites listeners to submit voice memos about the most beautiful thing recovery has taught them, encouraging them to share their stories of overcoming addiction, difficult times, injuries, or illnesses.
Keywords
O-Mary
O-Mary is an upcoming Broadway play written and starring Cole Escola. The play reimagines Mary Todd Lincoln, the wife of President Abraham Lincoln, as a raging alcoholic with cabaret dreams and Lincoln as an evil, closeted gay man. The play is described as gleefully tasteless and full of silly humor, with a high jokes-per-minute ratio. It has been generating a lot of buzz and is anticipated to be a laugh-out-loud experience.
Cole Escola
Cole Escola is an American actor, comedian, and writer. He is known for his roles in the television shows "Search Party" and "The Other Two." He is also the creator and star of the upcoming Broadway play "O-Mary." Escola is known for his comedic timing, his ability to play outrageous characters, and his willingness to push boundaries. He is also a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and representation in the arts.
Mary Todd Lincoln
Mary Todd Lincoln was the wife of President Abraham Lincoln. She is a controversial figure in American history, known for her extravagant spending habits and her mental instability. In the play "O-Mary," she is reimagined as a raging alcoholic with cabaret dreams. The play explores the complexities of her character and her role as First Lady during a tumultuous time in American history.
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States. He is considered one of the greatest presidents in American history, known for his leadership during the Civil War and his role in the abolition of slavery. In the play "O-Mary," he is portrayed as an evil, closeted gay man. The play challenges traditional interpretations of Lincoln's character and explores the complexities of his personal life.
Miss Piggy
Miss Piggy is a fictional character from the Muppets franchise. She is a glamorous, demanding, and often diva-like pig who is known for her love of fashion, her dramatic personality, and her desire to be taken seriously. Cole Escola draws parallels between Mary Todd Lincoln and Miss Piggy, highlighting their shared desire to be recognized for their talents and their struggles with being pigeonholed.
Femininity
Femininity is a set of qualities, behaviors, and roles that are typically associated with women. It is a complex and multifaceted concept that has been shaped by cultural and societal norms. Cole Escola explores the different ways in which femininity is expressed and how it is often limited or controlled by societal expectations. He also discusses the importance of owning one's femininity and challenging traditional notions of what it means to be a woman.
Broadway
Broadway is a street in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, that is famous for its theaters. It is considered the center of American theater and is home to some of the most prestigious and popular musicals and plays. "O-Mary" is set to debut on Broadway, marking a significant milestone in Cole Escola's career.
Historical Comedy
Historical comedy is a genre of comedy that uses historical events, figures, or settings as the basis for its humor. It can range from lighthearted satire to more biting social commentary. The "Hey Brittany" segment explores the potential for historical comedy, with listeners suggesting figures like Cleopatra, William Shakespeare, and Malcolm X as potential subjects for comedic treatment.
Recovery
Recovery is the process of regaining health, strength, or function after an illness, injury, or addiction. It is a complex and often challenging process that requires time, effort, and support. The "Hey Brittany" segment invites listeners to share their experiences with recovery and the most beautiful things they have learned from the process.
Q&A
What is the premise of the Broadway play "O-Mary"?
The play reimagines Mary Todd Lincoln as a raging alcoholic with cabaret dreams and Abraham Lincoln as an evil, closeted gay man. It is described as gleefully tasteless and full of silly humor.
How does Cole Escola relate to the character of Mary Todd Lincoln?
Escola sees Mary as a Miss Piggy-esque figure who is unconcerned with how she comes across. He relates to Mary's struggles with being pigeonholed and not being taken seriously, drawing parallels to his own experiences as an actor.
What does Cole Escola find freeing about playing a hateable character?
He finds it freeing to play a character who doesn't care about likeability, as it allows him to embrace his own flaws and not worry about what people think of him.
How does Cole Escola's fascination with older women characters relate to his work?
He sees older women as having a certain freedom to express their femininity in ways that are often restricted for younger women. He also finds their stories and experiences to be fascinating and relatable.
What does Cole Escola see as the significance of gender play in his roles, particularly with villainous women characters?
He sees it as a reflection of who is allowed to own their femininity and how women are often expected to be accidentally feminine rather than intentionally embracing their sexuality.
What is the most beautiful thing that recovery has taught you?
This is a question posed to listeners of "It's Been a Minute" to encourage them to share their experiences with recovery and the lessons they have learned from the process.
Show Notes
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Table of contents
United States
