RuPaul’s Drag Race superstar Alaska Thunderf*ck is zipping up her hoop skirt and hitting the road (curls and all!) as Mary Todd Lincoln in the first national tour of Cole Escola’s hit Tony-winning play Oh, Mary! for a limited time through January 17, 2027.
Spectrum News NY1 entertainment journalist Frank DiLella caught up with Alaska just before her first rehearsal to talk about taking on the cabaret-obsessed former First Lady — and why playing Mary Todd feels like a match made in heaven. After all, Alaska’s real-life partner knows a thing or two about the Lincolns: He plays Abraham Lincoln on screen.
You’ve gone on record saying Mary Todd Lincoln is your dream role. Dreams do come true, Alaska.
I’ve never really seen myself in a lot of roles, which is why I started doing drag. I feel like this role speaks to me. And it speaks to everyone who has done it — and a bunch of different people have done it.
Take me back to your early years: You originally wanted to be an actor before you became a drag superstar.
In high school, I auditioned for a production of Oklahoma! on a whim, and I thought, “I’m not going to get this.” I was shy. And I auditioned and my teacher was like, “Oh my god! Where did you come from?” I was a boy and very few boys auditioned for shows, so she was thrilled. I was cast as the sheriff. So, when I started doing theater, that unlocked a lot of things for me. It made me step into myself; I had more confidence. I found that weird theater people are my people.
What other shows did you do during your high school theater career?
I was Harold Hill in The Music Man and I did a production of Joseph [and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat]. I played Joseph in Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania.
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So many great performers have taken on Mary Todd. You’re now part of a fabulous “Mary Todd” family. Who have you seen play the role?
I first saw it with Cole. I saw Jinkx [Monsoon] and Tituss [Burgess].
You’re launching the first national tour. I understand you’re stoked about playing Vegas?
I’m thrilled that I get to do the show. And yes, I’ll be the first Mary in Vegas, which is preposterous and kind of perfect. I’m also excited to do it in Los Angeles because I get to do it and then go to bed and sleep at home.
What was your relationship with Cole Escola prior to taking this on?
We knew each other from here and there, but I was really in awe and intimated and scared of her — like they’re a rare exotic bird. [Laughs.]
Many know you from your time on RuPaul’s Drag Race. The ladies from Drag Race have made some noise in theater. I’m talking about you, Jinkx, Bianca del Rio in Tartuffe, Bob the Drag Queen in Moulin Rouge! …
It’s a great thing. The success of Drag Race has been good for everybody who does drag. The fans have been super supportive; that’s why we’ve been successful. So many more doors have been able to open for us because of Drag Race.
What’s been your biggest takeaway from Drag Race?
Oh my gosh. I think it’s, Don’t be an asshole, I guess. [Laughs.] That’s one of the benefits of getting older, is seeing what’s important in life — your loved ones and your friends — and cherishing those things. That’s the important lesson.
I understand your fiancé, Matthew Herrmann, has a connection to Abraham Lincoln?
So, in Indiana, they have this Abraham Lincoln childhood home memorial center — he grew up there. It’s a visitors’ center and you can go see artifacts and in there. There’s a theatre and it shows an educational movie about Lincoln’s early life, and in that movie, my fiancé plays young Abraham Lincoln. He plays Abraham Lincoln eight times a day every day. So, he’s the eternal Abraham Lincoln. And there’s a special-edition penny that has young Abraham Lincoln sitting on a log reading, and that is modeled after my fiancé, Matt. Matt is literally Abraham Lincoln and I get to play Mary. So it just makes sense.
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It’s no secret in Oh, Mary! that Mary Todd Lincoln is obsessed with cabaret. So, who is your ultimate cabaret diva?
Does Liza Minnelli count? I just immediately think of Liza Minnelli.
Once you’re in the Oh, Mary! Family, you’re here to stay. Would you want to make your Broadway debut in Oh, Mary!?
YES! Oh god, YES!
