Cole Escola Celebrates Bernadette Peters’ Classic Tony Dress in Stunning Red Carpet Nod

Broadway’s brightest stars lit up the red carpet at the 2025 Tony Awards, but it was Cole Escola who turned heads with a deeply symbolic and glamorous tribute to theater icon Bernadette Peters.

On Sunday, June 8, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, Escola — star and playwright of Oh, Mary! — arrived in a stunning silvery-blue gown designed to pay homage to Peters’ legendary look from the 1999 Tony Awards, when she won Best Leading Actress in a Musical for Annie Get Your Gun.

“It’s my favorite blue — I call it Cinderella blue,” Escola shared on the red carpet.

A SYMBOLIC STATEMENT: BLENDING FAIRYTALE ELEGANCE WITH THEATRICAL HERITAGE
Designed by Jackson Wiederhoeft, Cole Escola’s custom look was more than just a showstopper — it was a tribute to the rich legacy of theatre and a celebration of classic femininity.

The striking ensemble included:

• A lace-up corset crafted from soft Cinderella-blue taffeta

• Artful draping across the bodice and hips

• Intricate hand-stitched embellishments using metallic blue glass beads

• A sweeping train made of matching light blue taffeta

A DOORWAY TO SYMBOLISM: ART MEETS MEMORY IN DESIGN
One of the most striking features of the ensemble was a front skirt panel crafted to resemble an ornamental door — adorned with silver glass beads, faceted crystals, and weathered metal sequins. The motif served as a meaningful tribute, described as a reference to “Bernadette’s medals and the passing of time.”

To fully capture the essence of Peters’ iconic presence, Escola completed the look with a reddish-brown curly wig — a clear homage to the star’s signature style from the 1990s.

Designer Jackson Wiederhoeft explained the creative vision:

“We were captivated by the color palette, the idea of medals, and a kind of performative innocence. The look was shaped by themes of faded mystique, false sweetness, royal elegance, and time-worn doors.”

A STANDOUT MOMENT FOR COLE ESCOLA — BOTH IN STYLE AND CAREER
This visual tribute coincides with a major milestone for Escola, 38, who is currently nominated for a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Play. Their performance in Oh, Mary! — a sharp, original comedy they also penned — has drawn critical acclaim and positioned them as one of Broadway’s most exciting voices this season.

After stepping away from the lead role of Mary Todd Lincoln, Escola returned to the production on April 8 — reuniting the entire original cast, including:

• Conrad Ricamora as Mary’s Husband

• James Scully as Mary’s Teacher

• Bianca Leigh as Mary’s Chaperone

• Tony Macht as the Husband’s Assistant

The play originally premiered Off-Broadway in February 2024, earning Escola multiple awards, including:

• 🏆 The Obie Award

• 🏆 Drama Desk Award

• 🏆 Theatre World Award

• 🏆 Outer Critics Circle Award

Now on Broadway, Oh, Mary! continues to win hearts and headlines, with Cynthia Erivo hosting this year’s Tony ceremony in front of a star-studded crowd.

Cole Escola didn’t just wear a dress — they wore a legacy. In honoring Bernadette Peters, they reminded Broadway fans and fashion lovers alike of the magic that happens when style, history, and heart come together.

This unforgettable red carpet moment will be remembered as one of the most iconic tributes in Tony Awards history.