Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal’s Othello is already making history before its official opening night. The highly anticipated revival has shattered records, grossing $2,818,297 across just eight performances, making it the highest-grossing play in Broadway history. It officially surpasses Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which previously held the title with $2,718,488 for the week ending December 31, 2023.
READ: Want to See Denzel Washington’s ‘Othello’ for Just $49? Here’s How
Directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon, Othello is currently in previews at the Barrymore Theatre and will officially open on March 23 for a strictly limited engagement, wrapping up on June 8. This marks the first Broadway production of Othello in over 40 years, with the last staging in 1982, starring James Earl Jones and Christopher Plummer. Even more significantly, it’s been nearly 90 years since the Barrymore Theatre has hosted the Shakespearean tragedy.
This production also reunites Washington and Leon, who last collaborated on Broadway in A Raisin in the Sun (2014), a Tony-winning hit that saw Washington take home the award for Best Actor. With that track record, their take on Othello is set to be nothing short of extraordinary.
Washington leads as Othello, the noble general whose trust is manipulated into tragic downfall. Gyllenhaal steps into the role of Iago, the masterful deceiver whose scheming sets the stage for one of Shakespeare’s most devastating tragedies. Completing the central trio, Molly Osborne portrays Desdemona, Othello’s devoted wife and the unfortunate target of Iago’s sinister plot.
The production also boasts a powerhouse supporting cast, including Andrew Burnap as Cassio, Kimber Elayne Sprawl as Emilia, Anthony Michael Lopez as Roderigo, Daniel Pearce as Brabantio, and more. Backing them is an award-winning creative team, featuring Derek McLane (Moulin Rouge!) on set design, Dede Ayite (A Soldier’s Play) on costumes, Natasha Katz (MJ the Musical) on lighting, Justin Ellington (Pass Over) on sound, and Mia Neal (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom) on hair and wig design.
Not only is Othello breaking records, but it’s also setting new standards at the box office. The production previously grossed $2,637,158 in its first week of previews and has now surpassed that with an even higher $2.8 million take. It also carried the highest ticket price of any Broadway show last week at $361.90—more than double the average ticket price of other top-selling productions.
With demand skyrocketing and audiences witnessing two Hollywood heavyweights deliver powerhouse performances live on stage, Othello isn’t just a must-see—it’s a cultural moment.
If you haven’t locked in your seat yet, you might want to move fast. Something tells us this one’s going to sell out real quick.