It’s a full-circle Broadway moment for Denzel Washington!
The highly anticipated revival of Othello, starring the legendary Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal, has officially become the highest-grossing play in Broadway history—before even reaching its official opening night, Deadline reports.
Directed by the acclaimed Kenny Leon, the production grossed an unprecedented $2,818,297 in just its first full week of previews at the Barrymore Theatre, shattering the previous record held by Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. With audiences filling every seat, Washington, Gyllenhaal, and an all-star team are proving that Shakespeare’s classic tragedy still captivates audiences when placed in the hands of the right storytellers.
This isn’t just a moment; it’s a movement. Washington, who last graced Broadway in 2018’s The Iceman Cometh, reunites with Leon after their award-winning collaborations on Fences and A Raisin in the Sun. Adding even more weight to the production is the powerhouse duo Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker, who joined the producing team in 2024, Playbill reports. A heavyweight in music, Burruss continues to put her resources behind amplifying Black voices on Broadway.
Othello officially opens on March 23rd for a limited run through June 8th, and audiences have a rare opportunity to witness Washington in what may be one of his final roles, a full-circle moment for the iconic actor who got his start in theatre, making his Broadway in 1988. Tickets, already in high demand, are soaring in price, ranging from $300 to more than $1,000 each, but that hasn’t stopped theatergoers from securing their seats, a testament to Washington’s draw on audiences.
This revival of Othello marks the first Broadway staging of the play since it’s 1982 production starring the late James Earl Jones, making it a significant moment in theatrical history. The star-studded production includes rising West End talent Molly Osborne as Desdemona, a cast and creative team featuring multiple Tony, Emmy, and Obie winners, and a commitment to reimagining Shakespeare’s work through a fresh, contemporary lens.
Othello is a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of representation. Seeing Washington embody the complexity of Othello—a character who has long been debated, studied, and reinterpreted—adds a new layer of cultural depth to the production. This is more than a play. It’s a cultural event, a historic moment, and yet another reminder of the power and influence of Black artistry.
If you haven’t secured your tickets yet, you might want to move fast. The record-breaking run of Othello is shaping up to be a moment Broadway—and the world—will never forget.
Cover photo: Denzel Washington’s ‘Othello’ Makes Broadway History as Highest-Grossing Play Ever/Photo credit: Apple/Broadway Shows