Here’s Why Cole Escola’s Leading Actor Tony Win Was So Special

On June 8, 2025 Cole Escola became the first openly non-binary actor to win the coveted Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play. Escola took home the award for their performance in “Oh Mary,” a comedic play about a fictionalized Mary Todd Lincoln who drinks too much and dreams of becoming a cabaret star. 

“Oh Mary,” which was written by Escola, marked the actor’s Broadway debut and has been met with overwhelming critical acclaim since its opening in July 2024. The play was nominated for multiple Tonys, including Best New Play, but Escola’s win made history.

Who Did Cole Escola Thank in Their Acceptance Speech?

When Cole Escola’s name was called, they sprinted up to the stage and went on to deliver a speech that was both moving and funny. Escola began by thanking their fellow nominees, George Clooney, Jon Michael Hill, Daniel Dae Kim, Harry Lennnix, and Louis McCartney. “It’s an honor to be in your company, and more than that, it’s been a sincere pleasure spending time with you over these warm salads at all these lunches,” the actor said.

Escola then told their mom “I love you, I’ll call you when I can,” before thanking the cast and crew of “Oh Mary.” Escola gave a shout-out to a list of their friends, hilariously including “T–Bone from Grindr” and actor Amy Sedaris who Escola said, “always reminds me how important she is to me … and she is.” 

Their Stunning Tony Awards Look

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Cole Escola absolutely slayed the red carpet at the ceremony in a look that paid homage to a Broadway icon, Bernadette Peters. Peters took home a Tony in 1999 for her performance in “Annie Get Your Gun,” and Escola’s look was inspired by what she wore that night. 

Escola’s gown was a custom Wiederhoeft design that featured a corested top and was embellished with glass beading and metallic sequins. The color was a soft shade that Escola fell in love with. “It’s my favorite blue, I call it Cinderella blue,” they told People.

Escola’s look was topped off with a wavy reddish-brown updo wig and accessorized with a choker-style cameo necklace and long metallic nails. Escola explained that they’d been inspired by Peters’ style and decided to run with it. “…much like all of our ideas for our show … the first idea is the best idea,” the actor said after their historic win.