Conrad Ricamora: Making Space for Asian Men to Be Real, Flawed, and Sexy in Broadway’s 'Oh, Mary!'

Conrad Ricamora, a trailblazing figure in contemporary American theater, has emerged as a powerful force for change and representation. In his latest role as Abraham Lincoln in the Broadway sensation 'Oh, Mary!,' Ricamora not only delivers a riotous performance but also challenges long-standing biases about Asian men in mainstream media. The play, a subversive comedy created by Cole Escola, reimagines the relationship between Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln, offering audiences an unexpected, hilarious, and deeply human portrayal of historical figures .

Ricamora’s casting as Lincoln—an iconic American figure—was itself a statement. “Our first Filipino President,” Ricamora joked in an interview, highlighting the significance of the moment for Asian American visibility on Broadway . The production’s move from an off-Broadway hit to an extended, sold-out Broadway run at the Lyceum Theatre has been hailed as a watershed moment for diversity and inclusion in theater .

'Oh, Mary!' is more than just a comedy; it’s a deliberate, unapologetic challenge to the sanitized narratives often presented on stage. Ricamora’s Abraham Lincoln is not a distant, stoic leader but rather a lusty, closeted-gay man navigating the chaos of his marriage to Escola’s eccentric, cabaret-aspiring Mary Todd Lincoln. The show, described as a “fever dream about Mary Todd Lincoln,” revels in its subversiveness, offering audiences a fresh take on both history and identity .

Ricamora credits the show’s success to its refusal to pander to audiences. “People are hungry to be surprised,” he observed, noting that the integrity of Escola’s voice and the show’s commitment to being “uncompromising” have resonated widely . The result: a play that is both critically acclaimed and a commercial phenomenon, earning a Pulitzer nomination and multiple Tony nods .

Ricamora’s portrayal of Lincoln stands out for its rejection of the desexualized, one-dimensional roles often assigned to Asian men in Western media. In both 'Oh, Mary!' and his previous breakthrough role as Oliver in 'How to Get Away with Murder,' Ricamora has consistently embraced characters that are complex, vulnerable, and unapologetically sexy—a rarity in network television and on Broadway . As Oliver, Ricamora was part of one of the most visible and intimate queer relationships on American TV, a pairing that resonated with LGBTQ+ viewers and helped shift the landscape for queer Asian representation .

In interviews, Ricamora has spoken candidly about the importance of embodying characters who are “real, flawed… and sexy.” He notes that Asian men have often been denied the opportunity to be seen as desirable or fully human in mainstream narratives, a legacy of both racial and heteronormative stereotyping . By embracing roles that foreground desire, humor, and imperfection, Ricamora is actively making space for others to follow.

Ricamora’s journey to Broadway stardom has not been without challenges. Early in the run of 'Oh, Mary!,' he admitted to struggling to keep a straight face alongside Cole Escola’s unpredictable comedic energy. “It’s like hanging on for dear life when you go on stage with Cole,” he recalled, describing the difficulty and joy of performing in such a dynamic, collaborative environment . Despite the hurdles, Ricamora’s commitment to his craft and to authentic representation has never wavered.

The response from audiences and critics alike has been overwhelmingly positive. Following the show’s off-Broadway run, its transfer to Broadway was met with sold-out performances and extended engagements, signaling a growing appetite for stories that reflect the full spectrum of human experience—including those of LGBTQ+ and Asian communities .

Ricamora’s Tony nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Play marks another milestone in a career that has already broken new ground. Reflecting on the moment, Ricamora shared that he approached the nomination announcement with humility and gratitude, focusing on the work rather than the accolades. “Doing eight shows a week makes you tired and focused on your job,” he said, underscoring his dedication to the craft above all else .

Ricamora’s visibility as an out gay, Filipino American actor has had a ripple effect throughout both the theater world and the broader media landscape. His ability to inhabit roles that are both humorous and heartfelt, sexy and vulnerable, offers a blueprint for future generations of performers from marginalized backgrounds. For LGBTQ+ audiences, especially those who have rarely seen themselves reflected on stage or screen, Ricamora’s success is a beacon of possibility.

'Oh, Mary!' stands as a testament to the power of inclusive storytelling. By centering the voices and experiences of those historically excluded from the spotlight, the production reminds audiences that real, flawed, and sexy characters can—and should—be played by actors of all backgrounds. As Ricamora continues to break new ground, his work is not only entertaining but transformative, paving the way for richer, more authentic narratives in the years to come .