Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal Ignite Broadway with "Othello" Opening Night
Sunday night marked a spectacular opening on Broadway, showcasing two of Hollywood's most celebrated actors.
Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal are headlining a fresh production of Shakespeare's classic tragedy, "Othello."
The red carpet was a star-studded affair, featuring A-listers like Jennifer Lopez, Samuel L. Jackson, Anna Wintour, and Colman Domingo. Notably, former President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden were also spotted making their way into the Barrymore Theatre.
In this gripping rendition, Washington takes on the role of Othello, a character torn by jealousy and driven to violence, while Gyllenhaal portrays the duplicitous Iago, whose manipulations lead to Othello's tragic downfall.
Before the curtain rose, cast members shared their thoughts on how Shakespeare's timeless themes resonate with contemporary audiences. "They've treated this like a new play," remarked Andrew Burnap, who plays Cassio. "I'm excited to share," added Kimber Elayne Sprawl, who takes on the role of Emilia. Molly Osborne, portraying Desdemona, emphasized the play's enduring relevance: "Even if you know it, seeing it happen right in front of you, the conflict that happens in the play, it's just so human that it will always need to tell the story."
The production is helmed by Tony Award-winning director Kenny Leon, who praised his leading men: "Denzel is an emperor. He's an emperor of the American stage, of the world stage. He has met this role head on and Jake has met Denzel head on."
In February, during rehearsals, CBS News New York caught up with Washington and Gyllenhaal, both of whom expressed their excitement about their roles. Washington described the experience as liberating, stating, "We are given the freedom to break the rules." Gyllenhaal, who had never tackled Shakespeare before, shared, "I spent the past eight months really digging in."
Producer Brian Moreland highlighted the electrifying nature of this production, crediting the exceptional cast and creative team. "It's that good and they're that good. Night after night they build that same journey, so that you get to the point that we all know is going to happen, it's all inevitable, but yet you're there with them on every single word they have to say," he explained.
With performances running through June 8, "Othello" is not just a theatrical experience; it's poised to become a financial triumph, with projections indicating it could earn the title of the highest-grossing Broadway play in history.
