Portland native, two-time 'RuPaul's Drag Race' winner to star in Tony-winning play

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A Portland native and two-time “RuPaul’s Drag Race” champion is heading to Broadway to lead a Tony-Award-winning play.

Jinkx Monsoon was announced as an upcoming star of “Oh, Mary!” on Wednesday. Written by fellow Oregon native Cole Escola, the play is a dark comedy centered on Mary Todd Lincoln’s life in the weeks before former President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination.

“Unrequited yearning, alcoholism, and suppressed desires abound in this 80-minute one-act play that finally examines the forgotten life and dreams of Mrs. Lincoln, through the lens of an idiot,” the description reads.

Escola, who grew up in Clatskanie, originated the role of the former first lady when the play debuted on Broadway in 2024. Just last week, Escola made history as the first nonbinary person to win the Tony Award for Best Actor In a Play — beating out other contenders like George Clooney for “Good Night, and Good Luck” and Daniel Dae Kim for “Yellow Face.”

Sam Pinkleton, the director of “Oh, Mary!,” snagged the trophy for Best Direction of a Play. The production was also nominated for the Tony Awards for Best Play, Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play and Best Costume Design of a Play as well.

In addition to Escola, “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” star Tituss Burgess has starred in “Oh, Mary!” as well. The six-time Emmy nominee is gearing up for another six-week stint in the titular role starting on June 23. Monsoon’s role as the leading lady will last for eight weeks starting on Aug. 4.

The performer is most known as the first two-time winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” taking home the trophy in the fifth season of the original series and in the seventh season of the “All Stars” spinoff. Monsoon also has previous acting credits from “Doctor Who” and in Broadway’s “Chicago.”