Tony award-winning performer Cole Escola chatted with this journalist at the 2025 Broadway Barks, which took place in Shubert Alley.
“Broadway Barks,” the starry dog and cat adoption event benefiting New York City animal shelters and rescue groups, returned for its 27th edition this summer to help four-legged friends find fur-ever homes.
The event, produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, was held in Shubert Alley. It was hosted by Bernadette Peters, the iconic, Tony award-winning co-founder of “Broadway Barks” and star of this season’s “Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends.”
Peters was joined by co-host Beth Leavel, her “Old Friends” cast-mate and a fellow Tony winner.
“I feel so happy to be holding this puppy right now,” Escola said, “I mean who couldn’t be happy when they are holding a puppy.”
On the significance of this case, Escola said, “I love dogs, I love Broadway, and I love Bernadette Peters.”
Escola won the 2025 Tony Award for “Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play” for “Oh, Mary!” for playing Mary Todd Lincoln (President Abraham Lincoln’s wife).
On winning the Tony Award, Escola said, “That felt good but not as good as holding a puppy… but close!”
For their fans and supporters, Escola concluded, “I hope people get dogs out of this event.”
To learn more about Tony winner Cole Escola, visit their official website.
For more information on “Oh, Mary!” check out the show’s official homepage.
