Cole Escola Makes History In Cinderella Blue Dress Inspired By Bernadette Peters’ Legendary 1999 Gown

Jul 30, 2025 by apost team

The 2025 Tony Awards brought no shortage of fashion, flair, and theatrical moments from the biggest names in stage productions and on Broadway. While the big night was unforgettable for both its award moments and fashion moments, one red carpet look truly stole the show. Comedian, actor, and writer Cole Escola turned heads and paid heartfelt homage to Broadway royalty with a stunning custom gown inspired by Bernadette Peters’ legendary look for the 1999 Tony Awards, where she won the award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for “Annie Get Your Gun.”

Wearing a shimmering, silvery-blue custom creation reminiscent of Disney Princess Cinderella’s shade of blue, Escola’s appearance was more than a fashion statement; it was a love letter to Broadway’s theatrical legacy and Peters herself, whom Escola openly described as one of their greatest inspirations. Escola further paid tribute to Peters with a dark, reddish curly wig, similar to the legendary star’s hairstyle.

The “Oh Mary!” star walked the red carpet in a Wiederhoeft dress that featured a lace-up corset in pale blue taffeta. It also featured intricate draping at the chest and hips and was adorned with metallic blue glass beads. The same glass beads also adorned the skirt, which featured an ornamental door flowing down the front, accented with decorative glass beads, crystals, and metal sequins. According to a press release, the adornments were “a nod to Bernadette’s medals and the significance of the passage of time.” Describing the color choice, Escola gushed:

“It’s my favorite blue, I call it Cinderella blue.”

Not only did Escola steal the show in their stunning gown, but they also made history on the night by winning their first Tony Award. This makes them the first non-binary person to win a Tony Award. It seems as though the homage and Escola’s incredible talent and hard work worked in their favor. Escola revealed the details around the outfit in an interview with Reuters, confirming the inspiration behind it. The designer, Jackson Wiederhoeft, also explained Escola’s look and how the process came together.

“Initially speaking about this look with David and Cole, we were really inspired by Bernadette Peters’ look from the 1999 Tony Awards,” they shared. “We were all obsessed with the color and the medals on the front, a sense of fake naiveté.”

The look was lauded by many online and in the press, showing what perfect homage Escola had paid. Wiederhoeft added in the same press statement that the red carpet look had been inspired by literary and cultural themes until it came together, saying:

“We found ourselves inspired by additional themes of faded crypticism, false innocence, fightfulness, womanly age-hold historically feminine garments, queenly status and ancient doors.”

Escola has more recently taken Broadway by storm with their role in the dark comedy “Oh, Mary!,” a fictionalized portrait of Mary Todd Lincoln that they also wrote. The show received rave reviews for its biting humor and historical satire, earning Escola a Tony nomination for Best Lead Performance in a Play.

Escola’s blend of humor, nostalgia, and boundary-pushing performance has made them a fresh, fearless presence in the theater world. Their choice to evoke Peters wasn’t just about fashion; it reflected their roots in old-school Broadway and deep appreciation for its iconic women.

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What are your thoughts on this? Do you think Cole Escola looked stunning in the Bernadette Peters-inspired gown? Let us know what you think, and afterward, don’t forget to pass this on to your loved ones and any Bernadette Peters and Cole Ecola fans!