Bowen Yang Takes On Broadway as Mary Todd Lincoln

Bowen Yang will make his Broadway debut on September 15th at the Lyceum Theatre in the acclaimed comedy 'Oh, Mary!'. Yang, known for his work on Saturday Night Live, steps into the role of Mary Todd Lincoln, a fictionalized, hard-drinking cabaret star. He follows a celebrated tradition of performers who have put their own stamp on the character, including Meg Stalter, Betty Gilpin, and Maya Rudolph.

Having seen the production seven times, Yang plans to 'Frankenstein' together inspiration from his predecessors, aiming for an amalgam performance rather than strict originality. He acknowledges the challenge of returning to live stage acting after his time on SNL, where lines are often read from cue cards. Yang has received advice from past Marys, like Maya Rudolph suggesting knee pads for the show's physical demands.

The role of Mary Todd Lincoln in 'Oh, Mary!' has become a rotating platform for notable actors since its inception. The play, written by Cole Escola, opened in July 2024 and has been a significant box-office success, recouping its investment early in the 2024-25 Broadway season.

Yang's path to Broadway was not direct; he initially declined the role in summer 2025 due to his SNL commitments. After concluding his final season on the sketch comedy series in December 2025, he revisited the play and found himself relating to its themes of transition. Yang's initial career aspirations were in medicine, having studied chemistry at NYU, making his comedic and theatrical journey a 'gravy' extra.

The production's success extends beyond its original run, with a North American tour launching and its London production being filmed for theatrical release. 'Oh, Mary!' garnered a Tony Award for Cole Escola's performance and Sam Pinkleton's direction.