There have been many Othello productions on Broadway, but none so distinct as this one currently on Broadway. The latest production, which features Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal, not only captivated the audiences but also made history. The play made $2.8 million in one week, which is the highest-grossing play on Broadway to date.
The character of Othello has come far since its stage debut, as white actors in blackface have been playing the role for most of Broadway history. However, that changed in 1943 when Paul Robeson created a new standard with his historical performance. Now, Washington has stepped into the role with his own interpretation as he leaves his mark on the play.
Denzel Washington excited about the success of ‘Othello’
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Washington has played hundreds of legendary characters, but the success of Othello excited him more than ever. He described his excitement as unmatched in recent times and explained how much he related to this production.
Despite being commonly regarded as the greatest actor of his time, Washington never perceived himself as a Hollywood icon. According to him, he honed his craft on the stage and sees himself first as a stage actor.
What is Denzel Washington’s role in ‘Othello’?
This is Washington’s sixth Broadway performance, and he plays Othello, the honored military leader whose faith is manipulated by his dubious ensign, Iago. Jake Gyllenhaal adds a sinister twist to the role of Iago, the vengeful officer who fans Othello‘s jealousy and guides him toward disaster.
Washington, who is 70 years old, is no newcomer to Shakespeare’s plays; he has also appeared in Richard III and Julius Caesar and starred in on-screen adaptations of Much Ado About Nothing and Macbeth. He worked on Othello for the first time as an undergraduate at Fordham University but has gotten more familiar with the character since.