Acclaimed actor, writer, and director John Cameron Mitchell is set to return to Broadway for a limited engagement in the popular play Oh, Mary!, playing the role of Mary Todd Lincoln. This much-anticipated performance will run from February 3, 2026, to April 26, 2026, at the Lyceum Theatre.
Mitchell, known for his groundbreaking work in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, expressed his enthusiasm about the role. “Cole Escola and Sam Pinkleton are the wild horses that dragged me back to drag and I couldn’t be happier! As the most mature Mary yet, my days are filled with working the StairMaster, mainlining Ozempic and mastering my Brilliant Dialogue,” he remarked, highlighting the humorous and dynamic nature of his character.
Director Sam Pinkleton shared his excitement, stating, “Welcoming John into this cast feels both delicious and somehow inevitable. Many of us in the Oh, Mary! Universe wouldn’t be where we are without John’s work, which reshaped what live performance could look and feel like for generations of tender weirdos.” He emphasized Mitchell’s cultural impact as a queer trailblazer and an influential actor.
Mitchell joins an impressive lineup of performers who have taken on the role of Mary, including the original star Cole Escola, current star Jane Krakowski, Tituss Burgess, Betty Gilpin, Hannah Solow, and Jinkx Monsoon, who will return to the production for an encore engagement in January 2026.
Oh, Mary! opened on Broadway on July 11, 2024, and made history by grossing over $1,000,000 in a single week, becoming the first show in the Lyceum Theatre’s 121-year history to achieve this milestone. The production has since broken its own box office record twelve times and was the first of the 2024-25 Broadway season to recoup its investment.
John Cameron Mitchell’s career spans more than four decades, during which he has directed, written, and performed for the stage, screen, and television. He is a notable figure in theater, originally studying theater at Northwestern University. His work in Hedwig and the Angry Inch earned numerous accolades, including a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.
As a filmmaker, Mitchell has directed and starred in several critically acclaimed projects, including the improvisational film Shortbus and the drama Rabbit Hole, showcasing his versatility in storytelling. He has also dabbled in podcasting, creating series that have been celebrated for their artistic depth.
Beyond acting and directing, Mitchell is a recognized figure in the LGBTQ+ community, receiving awards for his advocacy efforts. Currently, he is engaged in multiple projects, including a new play about artist Claude Cahun, biopics about Allen Ginsberg and AIDS activist Peter Staley, and teaching a cinema course at the University of Michigan.
With his return to Broadway, Mitchell aims to bring a fresh and engaging interpretation to the character of Mary Todd Lincoln, contributing to the ongoing legacy of both the production and his storied career.
