Fact Check: Cole Escola Won a Tony for Best Performance in Oh, Mary!
What We Know
Cole Escola won the 2025 Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Play for their role in "Oh, Mary!" This performance has been described as an "outlandish, ahistoric comedy" where Escola portrays Mary Todd Lincoln, a character who imagines herself as a cabaret star following the assassination of her husband, Abraham Lincoln (source-1, source-3). Escola's win is particularly notable as they became the first openly non-binary actor to receive this award in the category (source-3).
Analysis
The claim that Cole Escola won a Tony for Best Performance in "Oh, Mary!" is supported by multiple reputable sources. The New York Times confirmed that Escola won the award for their performance in this play, highlighting the uniqueness of the character and the comedic elements of the production (source-1). CBS News also reported on the win, emphasizing Escola's achievement as a milestone for the LGBTQ+ community in theater (source-3).
The sources used in this fact-check are credible, with the New York Times being a well-respected publication in the field of arts and culture, and CBS News providing reliable news coverage. Both outlets have a history of accurate reporting on significant events, including awards ceremonies like the Tony Awards.
Conclusion
The claim that "Cole Escola won a Tony for Best Performance in Oh, Mary!" is True. The evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms that Escola received the Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Play for their role in "Oh, Mary!" and that this win marks a significant moment in Broadway history due to their non-binary identity.
