Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal’s ‘Othello’ becomes highest-grossing play revival in history
For 15 weeks only, lucky Broadway attendees can see Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal in an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Othello. The show is now the highest-grossing play revival in history.
Shakespeare’s classic tragedy follows the title character, a military commander also known as the ‘Moor of Venice’, played by Washington. Gyllenhaal plays the antihero and malevolent underling Iago. Iago manipulates Othello into thinking that his wife, Desdemona, is having an affair.
The show opened at the Barrymore Theatre on February 24th and has sold out every performance since.
It has already broken the weekly record for the top-grossing play in Broadway history with a $2,824,493 take. However, Good Night and Good Luck, starring George Clooney, quickly broke this record later in the month.
Average Broadway ticket prices for Othello frequently hit the $370-$380 range. Premium seats in the orchestra section are close to the $900 mark.
Despite smashing this record, the play was snubbed by this year’s Tony Nominations. Additionally, some reviewers were less than pleased with the show. Ethel Barrymore at The Guardian called the play “disappointingly muddled.”
In promoting the film, Washington rebuffed claims that he’s a “Hollywood actor” and highlighted his stage roots. He explained: “I’m a stage actor who does film; it’s not the other way around. I did stage first. I learned how to act on stage, not on film.” Washington has also recently said of his co-star, “He’s nuts. I love him. He’s complicated.”
Another Shakespeare adaptation, Romeo and Juliet, was extremely popular in the New York theatre scene recently. It stars Hollywood star Rachel Zegler and Heartstopper‘s Kit Connor. That offering recouped its $7million capitalisation during the course of its 20-week run.
Never Miss A Scene
The Far Out Film Newsletter
All the latest film news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.