Comedian, actor, singer, and future “straight man” impressionist?
Tony-nominated Cole Escola proved they can do it all at a recent appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Wearing a brown leather ensemble, boots, and some spectacular finger adornments, the actor was asked what their next project would be.
Escola told host Stephen Colbert:
“I’m dying to play a straight guy. I really want to play a straight guy.”
The actor even told Colbert that the key to remember is “enunciating is gay” and that the worst fear of a straight guy is “being understood.” Take notes, people!
The funny moment is seen below:
The actor visited the talk show to discuss the hit comedic stage play Oh, Mary! that Escola wrote and stars in as soon-to-be-widowed Mary Todd Lincoln who is having a mid-life crisis in the lead-up to her presidential husband’s assassination.
The play opened off-Broadway in 2024 at the Lucille Lortel Theatre before transferring to Broadway, and after being extended for a third time, is now playing at the Lyceum Theatre to sold-out audiences.
Playing the miserable Mary Todd, Escola describes the character as:
“She’s a alcoholic, wannabe cabaret star, um, inspired by someone very close to me… It’s about her hopes and her dreams. But it’s not really about her.”
That someone very close is Escola, who was inspired to write about the deceased first lady in 2009 when they thought of the reimagining after questioning whether Abraham Lincoln’s assassination “wasn’t such a bad thing for Mary Todd Lincoln?”
Emilio Madrid/Oh, Mary!
Recently announced, Oh, Mary! is nominated for five Tony nominations, including Best Direction and Best Costume of a Play.
Most notably, Escola is now the first openly non-binary person to be nominated for both Best Play and Best Leading Actor in a Play at the Tony Awards.
When reached for comment by The Hollywood Reporter, Escola reflected on the groundbreaking moment:
“Somewhere between overwhelmingly emotional and nothing. My head’s sort of spinning, and I’ve got two shows tonight, so that’s what I’m mostly trying to think about, not letting it in too much so I can do my job.”
Fans praised the hilarious talk show clip:
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The full interview from Escola's appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert can be seen below:
- YouTubeThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert/YouTube
We’re keeping our fingers crossed that Escola can add a Tony-winning “straight man impression” to their list of accomplishments.
And be sure to get tickets to Oh, Mary! on Broadway until June 28th.
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