On February 3, Simu Liu made his marked entrance onto Broadway, starring in the Tony Award-winning comedy Oh, Mary! at the Lyceum Theatre in New York City. The 36-year-old actor, famous for his roles in Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and The Copenhagen Test, fulfilled a long-held ambition by joining this production, which runs through April 21. Liu’s Simu Liu Broadway debut represents a significant milestone in his multi-faceted career as he seeks to expand his range beyond film and television.
A Dream Role in a Tony Award-Winning Production
Liu has long aspired to perform on Broadway, and upon witnessing Oh, Mary!, he knew the timing was perfect.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to do Broadway,”
Liu shared before his first performance.
“And I think the question has never been if, it’s when.”
The play’s unique blend of humor and heart struck a chord with him.
“This is just the perfect play to make a Broadway debut. It’s so original and so wonderful; funny, irreverent, goofy, moving and charming. Once I saw it, I remember telling my agent, ‘I’d love to do a play like Oh, Mary!’ And he was like, ‘Well, then… why don’t you just do it?’ And I was like, ‘Wait, can I do that?’ That just set the sequence of events in motion that led to this moment.”
Exploring Complex Roles in ‘Oh, Mary!’
Written by Tony Award winner Cole Escola and directed by fellow Tony winner Sam Pinkleton, Oh, Mary! offers a surreal take on the final days of Mary Todd Lincoln before the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Liu portrays Mary’s Teacher, a role shrouded in secrecy to preserve the play’s surprises. About the character, Liu offered,
“I can’t say too much about him, because I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone who hasn’t seen it, but sometimes I feel like I’m playing three, four characters at the same time. There are a lot of layers to him, and they’re all funny in their own way. But I’ll leave that to the audience interpretation.”
Comedy Craft and Commitment Behind the Scenes
Drawing on his earlier experiences, such as his comedic work on Kim’s Convenience, Liu emphasized the importance of dedication in delivering comedy.
“You know, the best piece of advice I ever got when it comes to doing comedy is the moment the characters realize they’re in a comedy, they stop being funny,”
he explained.
“You can’t be in front of the audience. You have to let the audience experience the joke. And you do that by being fully invested and fully committed in the moment. You can’t be wink wink, nudge nudge about the joke. You just have to play it straight. The seriousness is what makes it funny.”
This philosophy underpins his performance and helps maintain the tone of the production.
Supportive Cast and Guidance for Broadway Demands
Liu shares the stage with an accomplished cast including John-Andrew Morrison as Mary’s Husband, Jenn Harris as Mary’s Chaperone, Tony Macht as Mary’s Husband’s Assistant, and Tony Award winner John Cameron Mitchell playing Mary herself. Mitchell has been instrumental in guiding Liu through the rigorous demands of Broadway life. Liu expressed,
“Everyone in this community has been so warm and welcoming. And working with John Cameron Mitchell has especially been great. He’s really guided me through this process, the schedule, how to get through the Saturdays and the Sundays. You know, lots of physical therapy, taking care of your body, sleeping well — all that good stuff.”
Adapting to New Routines and Life in New York City
Besides tackling a demanding schedule with eight performances each week, this production has offered Liu a new living situation in New York.
“This is the first time that I’ve got an apartment of my own and I get to have a home base in New York City,”
he said.
“It’s really exciting. I’m really excited to be a New Yorker.”
Despite the bitter cold gripping the city, Liu, coming from Canada, is relatively unaffected.
“Oh, it’s a very cold part of the year. I mean, it’s brutal. But thankfully, I am Canadian. I’m a lot more used to the weather than probably a lot of people out here are, so it’s familiar.”
Balancing Excitement and Anxiety in Every Performance
As the production progresses, Liu acknowledges the mix of exhilaration and nervousness that accompanies each show.
“The whole experience is both exciting and terrifying,”
he admitted.
“There’s always that moment, when I’m waiting in the wings before I come on for my first scene, where I feel like I’m just going to blank and not know anything. But that anxiety is both bad and good, in a way. It keeps you on your toes, keeps you feeling alive. And I don’t think that’s ever going to go away.”
What’s Next for Simu Liu on Broadway
Fans have the opportunity to see Liu during the current run of Oh, Mary! through April 21 at the Lyceum Theatre. This role not only expands his artistic repertoire but also sets a foundation for future theatrical endeavors. His disciplined approach to comedy and overwhelming support from cast and crew indicate a promising path ahead in live theater. As Liu continues to balance this new chapter with his film career, audiences can expect a determined actor who fully embraces the highs and lows of performing on Broadway.
