Vogue has loved Cole Escola’s Oh, Mary! since before it opened on Broadway. Now, with 10 Marys in, actor, writer, and longtime podcaster Bowen Yang has taken over the lead role of Mary Todd Lincoln, making his Broadway debut. Marley Marius, who made her podcast debut in 2024 interviewing Escola, the show’s playwright and former star, joined Chloe again on The Run-Through, this time to talk with Yang about starring in this wildly beloved production. Yang, a writer and cast member on Saturday Night Live for many years, is getting used to a new kind of endurance test: performing eight shows a week at the Lyceum Theatre. “I would just nod politely whenever someone said, ‘Broadway performers are athletes,'” he told them. “I never doubted it, but now I understand it’s absolutely true.” His secret to stamina? A powerful mix of energy drinks—Fuji apple-flavored Celsius, to be exact—and traditional Chinese medicine. When asked about his most Mary-like quality, Yang pointed to the duality of the clown. “There’s the misunderstood outcast and the murderous deviant. It’s like Pennywise and Bozo,” he explained. “I’m certainly not murderous, but I have this trickster energy that goes along with the feeling we all have of being alienated by society’s arbitrary rules.” So far, his favorite surprise visitor to the show has been Malala Yousafzai—but his great hope is that Cher will one day come to the theater: “I think Cher would really get a kick out of this. Like, wow, that’s a horny legend. I feel comfortable saying that.” As for who should be cast next as Mary? His votes are in for Keke Palmer and Lisa Rinna. Stay tuned!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about the Las Culturistas podcast episode featuring Bowen Yang specifically regarding his desire for Cher to see the Broadway play Oh Mary
What is this episode of Las Culturistas about
It is a comedy podcast episode where host Bowen Yang talks about his love for the Broadway show Oh Mary and his dream of getting Cher to see it
Who is Bowen Yang
Bowen Yang is a comedian and actor best known for his work on Saturday Night Live and for cohosting the Las Culturistas podcast
What is Oh Mary
Oh Mary is a Broadway play written by and starring Cole Escola It is a dark comedy that imagines a chaotic unhinged version of Mary Todd Lincoln
Why does Bowen Yang want Cher to see Oh Mary
Bowen is a huge fan of Cher He believes the show is so funny and unique that Cher would love it and he wants her to experience the joy of the performance
Did Cher actually see the show
At the time of the podcast episode Cher had not seen it yet Bowen was publicly campaigning for her to attend
Is Oh Mary appropriate for children
No Oh Mary contains adult humor strong language and mature themes It is intended for adult audiences
Where can I listen to this episode
You can listen to Las Culturistas on major podcast platforms like Spotify Apple Podcasts or wherever you stream podcasts
What is Las Culturistas
It is a popular comedy and pop culture podcast hosted by Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers They discuss pop culture reads and iconic moments
Why is Bowen Yang so obsessed with Cher
Cher is a major culture icon Bowen often discusses his admiration for powerful iconic women in entertainment and Cher is at the top of that list
Did Cole Escola write the role of Mary specifically for himself
Yes Cole Escola wrote Oh Mary and stars in the lead role The show was originally a solo sketch before becoming a full Broadway production
What is the culture connection between Bowen Yang and Oh Mary
Both Bowen and the show represent a specific type of modern campy