A revival of “Othello,” starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal, has made history.
The production at the Barrymore Theatre has become Broadway’s highest-grossing play of all time, generating $2.8 million in just eight preview performances. This surpasses the previous record held by “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” which earned over $2.7 million in December 2023, according to Deadline.
Washington and Gyllenhaal recently discussed the project on “CBS News Sunday Morning.”
“It’s the most excited I’ve been this century,” Washington said. “Seriously. I haven’t been this excited about anything I’ve done as I am about this.”
He plays the titular role of Othello, while Gyllenhaal portrays Iago. The Shakespearean plot centers on Othello, a military commander who is manipulated into believing his wife is unfaithful by his ensign, Iago.
Now 70, Washington first played Othello during his college years at Fordham University. He reflected on the differences between playing the role then and now.
“I know a lot less now. I thought I knew everything then!” he said. “I didn’t really like the part, ’cause I wasn’t wise enough to understand it. Now I understand it’s really about a bond, you know, that these characters have. He loves not wisely, but too well.”
Both he and his co-star are thrilled about the play’s success.
“You get to a point where you’re like, ‘Oh, I’ve worked my whole career for this, for this moment,'” Gyllenhaal said.
