Cole Escola made history Sunday night as the first out non-binary performer to win the Tony Award for Lead Actor in a Play. Backstage at the 2025 Tony Awards, they were thinking more about how far they'd come. In fact, their date to the Tonys was longtime collaborator Jeffrey Self, with whom they began their career making comedy videos. In fact, one of their early videos featured Escola playing Broadway icon Bernadette Peters.

“I just want to pay homage to when Jeffrey and I would try to sneak into the [Tony Awards] Carlyle party," Escola told Playbill in a video interview, gesturing down to their dress, which was inspired by Peters herself. "I just want to honor that kid that tried to break into the Carlyle party by dressing à la Bernadette [Peters] and bringing one of my oldest and dearest friends.” Watch the full video above, where they also revealed what was the most special moment of Tony night.

Escola will star in Oh, Mary! until June 21.

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