Latest news with #ColeEscola
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Broadway's New Tony Icons: How Cole Escola, Sadie Sink and Fina Strazza Define the Theater Awards Race
For the first time as a native New Yorker, I pulled off the ultimate Broadway doubleheader — a 5 p.m. performance of the uproariously surreal 'Oh, Mary!' followed by the 7 p.m. punch of 'John Proctor Is the Villain.' Beyond making me homesick for $1.50 pizza slices, Kaiser rolls and the glistening grime that only New York City can serve, the experience confirmed one thing: Broadway is back. And it's never been more competitive. As the 2025 Tony Awards approach, two genre-bending plays — 'Oh, Mary!' and 'John Proctor Is the Villain' — are setting the stage for one of the most high-stakes and history-making best play races in recent memory. More from Variety Why Bob Odenkirk Has Wanted to Do 'Glengarry Glen Ross' for Decades Where to Buy Tickets For Broadway's Biggest Tony Nominees: 'Oh, Mary,' 'Stranger Things,' 'English' and More Cole Escola, Lisa Rinna, Paul Feig and More Revealed as 'King of Drag' Guest Judges in First Trailer (EXCLUSIVE) With sold-out shows and rave reviews, 'Oh, Mary!' has cemented itself as one of the most inventive productions of the year. A surreal and hilariously unhinged imagining of Mary Todd Lincoln's pre-assassination descent, the play was written by and stars Cole Escola. Escola, who uses they/them pronouns, is nominated for lead actor in a play — and if they win, they'll become the first openly nonbinary performer in Tony history to earn the award for a role they authored themselves. It would be a rare feat. Few performers have won a Tony for a play they wrote. Among them is Harvey Fierstein, who took home actor and best play for 'Torch Song Trilogy.' Escola would also become just the third openly nonbinary Tony winner, following 2023's trailblazing wins by J. Harrison Ghee ('Some Like It Hot') and Alex Newell ('Shucked'). Should Escola make history, it would signal Broadway's embrace of self-created, envelope-pushing performance art. Just a few blocks away, 'John Proctor Is the Villain' is igniting its own cultural moment. Featuring 'Stranger Things' breakout Sadie Sink in a blistering lead role, the play reimagines 'The Crucible' through the lens of a modern-day high school classroom reckoning with trauma, power and inherited narratives. Sink's raw, magnetic performance has drawn serious Tony buzz, placing her in the thick of a heated race against frontrunner Sarah Snook, whose work in 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' has captivated critics. Also making waves is 19-year-old Fina Strazza, nominated for featured actress in a play for her nuanced performance as Beth Powell, a devout and emotionally fragile student. If Strazza wins, she would become one of the youngest Tony winners ever — joining Frankie Michaels ('Mame,' age 11) and Daisy Eagan ('The Secret Garden,' also 11). Strazza's path to the podium won't be easy. She's up against powerhouse Kara Young, who continues to make her own Tony history. Young is the first Black actress to earn three consecutive noms, having been recognized for 'Clyde's' (2022), 'Cost of Living' (2023), and her 2024 win for 'Purlie Victorious,' and now expanded to four. A repeat victory this year would put her among a small group of performers — including Laurie Metcalf, Judith Light and Gwen Verdon — to win back-to-back Tonys. The Best Play race this year showcases Broadway at its boldest: new voices, provocative themes and fearless performances. But it hasn't been without surprises. With history-making nominees like Escola, breakout stars like Sink and Strazza, this year's Tonys are more than a place to give out trophies — they're a snapshot of Broadway's new era: inclusive, unpredictable, and unapologetically bold. The Tony Awards will take place on June 8. Variety Awards Circuit: Tonys Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Apple Holds Strong for Top Series Races With 'Severance' and 'The Studio'; Netflix and FX Could Dominate Doc and Writing Races Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz
New York Post
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Nothing can stop ‘Oh, Mary!' and Cole Escola at the Tony Awards
Sirens call from stage It's Tonys time soon. June 8. More exciting news than the bulletins at Newark. I haven't been this moved since Sutton Foster told me in 2022 that she'd been picked to work with Hugh Jackman in Broadway's 'The Music Man.' Not knowing him so well before, she was therefore very excited. Now 2025, getting divorced from his wife of decades. New lady friend — Sutton Foster. The first Tonys were 1947. At the Waldorf Astoria, which may reopen when the Statue of Liberty goes co-op. Tickets, $7. Now Radio City. Price? $795 plus whatever's an $8 venue fee. The first winners? Arthur Miller, Ingrid Bergman, Agnes de Mille, Helen Hayes. 1947 was a good year. Its aging musicals of that time still get rejuiced — 'Oklahoma!,' 'Brigadoon,' 'High Button Shoes.' The hotshot drama later that year: 'A Streetcar Named Desire,' with Marlon Brando, Kim Hunter, Jessica Tandy, Karl Malden. It was names like Orson Welles, Ethel Merman, Victor Moore, William Gaxton, Ray Bolger, Arthur Godfrey, Walter Huston, Bert Lahr, Lillian Gish, Dorothy Gish, Basil Rathbone, Uta Hagen, Anthony Quinn, Katharine Cornell, John Gielgud, James Mason, Bobby Clark, Maurice Evans and Tallulah Bankhead — all became biggies. Get opinions and commentary from our columnists Subscribe to our daily Post Opinion newsletter! Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters My Tallulah story: Trying to be a reporter I got myself to the Waldorf. In the ladies' room, next stall over, separated only by a thin wall — the superfamous thick throaty-voiced Bankhead came at me with: 'Little girl, have you any paper in there?' 'N-n-no, Miss Bankhead.' Sounds of a purse opening, scrabbling around, closing, then: 'Have you two fives for a ten?' All hail 'Mary' So, who's going to schlep home the Tony? It is the quickie show 'Oh, Mary!' The star, writer, creator, costumer Cole Escola. Nobody else. Forget anybody else. If Shakespeare himself showed up onstage live and inhaling a ham sandwich — he'd blow it. It's Cole. Cole Escola! Two years ago, it was another one-of-a-kind: Alex Newell. In a cornball musical about growing corn. The title was 'Shucked.' He won. Where is he now, what's he doing, why isn't he starring someplace in some musky theater? Is this the power of the famous fabulous Antoinette Perry Award? That after you sweat and strain and slave and worry and borrow a shmatta and rent jewels and rehearse your speech and try not to flop lumbering up the stairs — you end up the following year — where? It brings you nothing? Borscht? I know he's working. He's done concerts. He's done a movie. But is he on a Broadway stage right now grabbing another Antoinette Perry Award? No. Talent has its difficulties. Michelangelo spent four years daubing the Sistine Chapel. He didn't mind because he was union. What bugged him was that the Vatican then asked for a second coat. Watch the Tonys, kiddies, watch the Tonys.
USA Today
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
What are you doing this weekend? We found tickets for 5 last-minute events in NYC
What are you doing this weekend? We found tickets for 5 last-minute events in NYC We found crazy last-minute tickets to see the Knicks vs. Celtics, Oh, Mary! on Broadway and more. I love a good last-minute event. Sure, buying a ticket to see a show or game right before it starts is a little stressful but, it can also be so much more affordable and totally worth it! If you're trying to figure out what to do in New York City this weekend, I have five solid options for you. From the undeniably hilarious Cole Escola's return to Broadway to the equally theatrical face-off between the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics, you can still grab tickets to some pretty popular NYC events at StubHub. Check them out below. What to do in New York City on Saturday, May 10 Here are the top five last-minute tickets you can buy for NBA games, Broadway musicals, concerts and soccer games in and around New York City this weekend. 1. Boston Celtics at New York Knicks: Eastern Conference Semifinals (Home Game 1, Series Game 3) Date and time: Saturday, May 10 at 3:30pm Location: Madison Square Garden in New York City Price: Tickets start at $615 each Buy tickets now More: Go New York, go New York, go: How to buy Jalen Brunson New York Knicks jersey, gear 2. LA Galaxy at New York Red Bulls Date and time: Saturday, May 10 at 7:30pm Location: Sports Illustrated Stadium (Formerly Red Bull Arena) in Harrison, New Jersey Price: Tickets start at $9 each Buy tickets now More: Sporting Kansas City beats LA Galaxy without taking a shot on goal 3. Oh, Mary! on Broadway Date and time: Saturday, May 10 at 5:00pm Location: Lyceum Theatre in New York City Price: Tickets start at $171 each Buy tickets now More: Review: Believe the hype about Broadway's gloriously irreverent 'Oh, Mary!' 4. Chicago Cubs at New York Mets Date and time: Saturday, May 10 at 7:15pm Location: Citi Field in Flushing, New York Price: Tickets start at $34 each Buy tickets now More: Sling's May lineup brings the fun (and sports) back after major TV character deaths 5. Smallpools Date and time: Saturday, May 10 at 7:00pm Location: Warsaw in Brooklyn, New York Price: Tickets start at $40 each Buy tickets now The Who announce farewell tour: How to get tickets for The Song is Over tour
Indianapolis Star
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
What are you doing this weekend? We found tickets for 5 last-minute events in NYC
I love a good last-minute event. Sure, buying a ticket to see a show or game right before it starts is a little stressful but, it can also be so much more affordable and totally worth it! If you're trying to figure out what to do in New York City this weekend, I have five solid options for you. From the undeniably hilarious Cole Escola's return to Broadway to the equally theatrical face-off between the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics, you can still grab tickets to some pretty popular NYC events at StubHub. Check them out below. Here are the top five last-minute tickets you can buy for NBA games, Broadway musicals, concerts and soccer games in and around New York City this weekend. Date and time: Saturday, May 10 at 3:30pm Location: Madison Square Garden in New York City Price: Tickets start at $615 each Buy tickets now More: Go New York, go New York, go: How to buy Jalen Brunson New York Knicks jersey, gear Date and time: Saturday, May 10 at 7:30pm Location: Sports Illustrated Stadium (Formerly Red Bull Arena) in Harrison, New Jersey Price: Tickets start at $9 each Buy tickets now More: Sporting Kansas City beats LA Galaxy without taking a shot on goal Date and time: Saturday, May 10 at 5:00pm Location: Lyceum Theatre in New York City Price: Tickets start at $171 each Buy tickets now More: Review: Believe the hype about Broadway's gloriously irreverent 'Oh, Mary!' Date and time: Saturday, May 10 at 7:15pm Location: Citi Field in Flushing, New York Price: Tickets start at $34 each Buy tickets now More: Sling's May lineup brings the fun (and sports) back after major TV character deaths Date and time: Saturday, May 10 at 7:00pm Location: Warsaw in Brooklyn, New York Price: Tickets start at $40 each Buy tickets now
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cole Escola, Lisa Rinna, Paul Feig and More Revealed as ‘King of Drag' Guest Judges in First Trailer (EXCLUSIVE)
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways Newly-minted Tony nominee Cole Escola, Lisa Rinna and 'Another Simple Favor' director Paul Feig are among the guest judges for 'King of Drag.' The bold-faced names were revealed in the show's first trailer, released exclusively to Variety Thursday morning (watch above). More from Variety 'King of Drag,' premiering June 22 on LGBTQ+ streaming platform Revry and presented by e.l.f. cosmetics, is the first-ever drag king reality competition show. Hosted by 'Somebody Somewhere' star Murray Hill, the series follows eight drag kings as the compete for the title King of Drag. The line-up of guest judges also includes Bridget Everett, Layshia Clarendon, Jeff Hiller, Landon Cider, Vico Ortiz, Liv Hewson, Mo B. Dick, Brian Michael Smith, Carmen Carrera, Jackie Beat, Aubrey Shea, Kathleen Hanna, Cameron Esposito and Kylie Sonique Love. ''King of Drag' is one of the most ambitious original programs we've ever developed,' Revry co-founder and chief content officer Christopher J. Rodriguez said Thursday. 'We're going to give the drag competition format a run for its money and give audiences something fresh and original.' The regular judging panel consists of Sasha Velour, Gottmik and Revry co-founder and CEO Damian Pelliccione. 'The groundbreaking new series, exclusively featuring drag king performers, will expansively represent drag while promoting inclusion, authentic self-expression, and diverse gender identities including trans masc, cisgender women, non-binary and more,' reads a press release about the show. Hill previously told Variety, 'I'm so excited to be working with Revry as the host of 'King of Drag.' I started performing in 1995, so it's long overdue for the kings to take center stage. This vibrant community deserves to be in the spotlight, and I'll be their biggest hype man. I can't wait to work with the kings and introduce them to the biggest audience possible, thanks to Revry. That's showbiz.' Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
