Cole Escola Honors Bernadette Peters’ Iconic 1999 Tony Look in Stylish Tribute

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 DRESS WITH DEPTH: THEATER, FEMININITY, AND FAIRYTALE BLUES
Cole Escola’s custom gown, designed by Jackson Wiederhoeft, was more than a red carpet moment — it served as a poetic nod to Broadway’s legacy and the enduring power of feminine expression.

Key design elements included:

• A structured lace-up corset in soft blue taffeta, evoking classic fairytale charm

• Sculptural draping along the bodice and hips, adding movement and elegance

• Delicate hand-embroidered glass beads in metallic blue, offering shimmer and texture

• A flowing, dramatic train in pale blue taffeta that followed like a storybook ending

THE DOOR AS SYMBOL: MEMORY, MYTH, AND A TOUCH OF GLAMOUR
Perhaps the most mesmerizing element of the look was a front skirt panel designed to resemble an ornate door — delicately crafted from silver glass beads, aged metal sequins, and faceted crystals. It served as a layered tribute: a reference to Bernadette Peters’ symbolic “medals” and a reflection on the passage of time.

Escola completed the tribute with a curly reddish-brown wig, a clear and loving nod to Peters’ unmistakable ‘90s-era hairstyle.

Designer Jackson Wiederhoeft described the vision behind the ensemble:

“We were drawn to the rich color, the idea of medals, and a playful sense of artificial innocence. There’s a faded mystery, a royal presence, and the idea of ancient doors woven into it all.”

A DEFINING NIGHT FOR COLE ESCOLA — ONSTAGE AND IN STYLE
The look came at a milestone moment for Cole Escola, 38, who is nominated for a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Play. The nomination recognizes their performance in Oh, Mary!, a critically praised Broadway production that they not only starred in — but also wrote.

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.