Broadway is buzzing folks! Why? Because two HUGE stars Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal have teamed up for a revival of Shakespeare's classic tragedy, ' Othello .' And get this it's already breaking records before it even officially opens! If you're anywhere near New York City theater fans you seriously do not want to miss this.
Denzel as Othello Jake as Iago: A Powerhouse Duo Takes on Shakespeare's Timeless Tale
Denzel Washington is playing Othello himself the powerful general who gets tragically manipulated. And who is the mastermind pulling the strings? None other than Jake Gyllenhaal as the wickedly scheming Iago. Talk about dream casting! This production marks the first time 'Othello' has been on Broadway in over 40 years making it a real event for theater lovers.
Tony Award winner Kenny Leon is directing this revival and he's setting it in the near future which adds an interesting twist. The stage is set at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre and previews started in late February with the official opening night set for March 23rd. But honestly the buzz has been building way before that!
The rest of the cast is stacked too with Molly Osborne as Desdemona Andrew Burnap as Cassio and a whole company of talented actors bringing this classic story to life. Early photos show the cast in action and it looks visually stunning and emotionally charged. This is Shakespeare for a new generation but with all the power of the original play.
Record-Breaking Broadway Run: 'Othello' Already a Box Office Sensation!
Hold onto your hats because 'Othello' is not just generating buzz it's smashing records! Even in previews the show raked in a whopping $2.8 million in just one week. Yep you read that right. That's more than any play has EVER made in a single week on Broadway. Tickets are reportedly going for as high as $921! People are clearly clamoring to see Denzel and Jake on stage together and who can blame them?
Kandi Burruss you know from 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta' is a co-producer on 'Othello' and she is HYPED. She told People magazine that fans "will not be disappointed" and that Denzel Jake and the whole cast are "here to bring it." She also revealed that Denzel's son John David Washington actually played a part in getting his dad into this role. Apparently conversations started when Denzel and John David were working on 'The Piano Lesson' another Broadway production that Kandi co-produced. Talk about a family affair!
Could a Tony Be in 'Othello's Future? Kandi Burruss is "Praying" for a Win!
Kandi Burruss isn't just excited about the box office she's got her sights set on Tony gold. She told People she is "praying" that 'Othello' will snag a Tony Award. This wouldn't be her first time aiming for the top she also produced the recent revival of 'The Wiz.' Kandi says she goes into every production hoping "This is the one!" and she is definitely speaking it into existence for 'Othello.'
Whether or not 'Othello' wins awards one thing is for sure: it is a major cultural moment on Broadway right now. A limited 15-week run is scheduled to close on June 8th so if you want to see Denzel and Jake in action you better grab your tickets fast. This is Broadway history in the making and you do not want to miss out!
Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal: A Quick Stage History Lesson
Denzel and Jake are both HUGE movie stars but they also have serious stage cred. Let's take a quick look back at some of their notable stage roles:
- Denzel Washington's Stage Highlights:
- Coriolanus (1979): Off-Broadway debut with New York Shakespeare Festival.
- When the Chickens Came Home to Roost (1981): Played Malcolm X Off-Broadway.
- A Soldier's Play (1981): Off-Broadway role in Pulitzer Prize-winning play.
- Checkmates (1988): Broadway debut.
- Richard III (1990): Title role in Shakespeare at Joseph Papp Public Theater.
- Julius Caesar (2005): Played Marcus Brutus on Broadway.
- Fences (2010): Tony Award-winning performance as Troy Maxson on Broadway (and later directed/starred in the film adaptation).
- A Raisin in the Sun (2014): Broadway revival.
- The Iceman Cometh (2018): Broadway return in Eugene O'Neill classic.
- Jake Gyllenhaal's Stage Highlights:
- This Is Our Youth (2002): West End debut in London.
- If There Is I Haven't Found It Yet (2012): Off-Broadway New York stage debut.
- Constellations (2014): Broadway debut.
- Little Shop of Horrors (2015): Encores! Off-Center concert production.
- Sunday in the Park with George (2016/2017): Off-Broadway and Broadway revival in dual role.
- Sea Wall/A Life (2019): Off-Broadway and Broadway transfer.
- Gutenberg! The Musical! (2023): One-night cameo in Broadway musical.
As you can see both Denzel and Jake have impressive histories on stage. 'Othello' is not just a celebrity stunt casting it's a true return to form for two actors who clearly love and respect the theater.
Don't Miss Your Chance to See Denzel and Jake in 'Othello': Limited Run Tickets Selling Fast!
So what are you waiting for? Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal in 'Othello' on Broadway is THE theater event of the year. It is a chance to see two incredible actors tackle iconic roles in a powerful and timeless play. Tickets are on sale now but they are going fast and the limited run ends on June 8th. Head to the Ethel Barrymore Theatre and witness the magic for yourself. You will not be disappointed!