Jinkx Monsoon is stepping into a role that will cement her place in Broadway history, playing Mary Todd Lincoln in Oh, Mary!, a Tony-winning play by Cole Escola.
The two-time RuPaul’s Drag Race winner is more than ready for the challenge and is embracing her time in the spotlight, especially after wrapping up her role as Ruth in Pirates! The Penzance Musical on Broadway.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE ahead of her debut, Monsoon shared her excitement, exhaustion, and the deep personal connection she feels to her new role.
From One Role to Another: The Intensity of Dual Performances
Monsoon, 37, described the physical and mental exhaustion of performing in two major productions almost simultaneously. “I hit a wall of exhaustion last week when I was wrapping Pirates while beginning rehearsals for this,” she admitted.
“It was a new level of exhaustion I didn’t think possible because it was mentally, emotionally, and then physically exhausting.” Despite the challenges, Monsoon expressed her readiness for her new role, saying, “I’m chomping at the bit. Honestly, we did a dress rehearsal yesterday and I’m like, ‘Bring on a crowd. I’m ready.'”
Balancing Two Roles: Unlocking a New Character
Transitioning from one role to another is a complex process, especially when the characters are so different. Monsoon explained how she had to quickly adjust and bring a new character to life.
“I have the most in common with Cole as far as the references we draw from, but I don’t think Cole and I perform any way in the same except we both utilize deadpan,” she said, adding that the best way to play comedy is by embracing the truth of the character.
Monsoon has been careful not to get caught up in how previous actors, like Escola and Tituss Burgess, portrayed the role of Mary.
“I can’t watch this or it’s going to f— up what I’m doing because I’m going to start second-guessing my Mary,” she said, explaining that she wanted to make the character her own. “I feel like I know what I’m doing here. Cole wrote this character for people like me and Betty and Tituss.”
Finding Personal Connection in the Role of Mary Todd Lincoln
Monsoon also shared how deeply she connects with Mary Todd Lincoln. “I love the person that I am, but we all contain multitudes,” Monsoon said, reflecting on how the role allows her to channel her own frustrations into the character.
“I realized that I am a woman with her agency being threatened, and of course I relate to these characters.” She explained that the role represents an opportunity to bring her own rage and feelings of powerlessness into the work, something she finds empowering.
Broadway Debut: A Dream Realized
For Monsoon, starring in Oh, Mary! feels like the culmination of a lifelong dream. “This is exactly what I was meant to do,” she said, noting the profound sense of affirmation she feels.
“When you know really early in life exactly what you want to be and how you want to be it and then the world convinces you that it’s not going to be and you let go of those dreams.
And then when you least expect them, they come to you with open arms.” Monsoon went on to explain how being authentic to herself opened doors that people once told her were impossible to walk through.
She also credits her experience on RuPaul’s Drag Race for helping her find her voice as an artist. “What I owe most to Drag Race is finding everyone out there who wanted to see a performer like me do this,” she shared. “It’s this beautiful place that showcases art and artwork and the artist.”
The Future: More Broadway, Film, and TV
Looking ahead, Monsoon is content with where she is but remains open to new opportunities. “Honestly, I just want to keep doing what I’m doing, and what’s next will come naturally,” she said.
While she loves live performance, Monsoon is also excited by the potential for film and television roles, noting that they offer different ways to express her artistry.
“Having the ability to bounce back and forth is something I’m really excited to do,” she said, “as long as it feels right and feels like it’s authentic to the trajectory I’m already on.”
