An Othello revival, starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal, has made history.
The production at the Barrymore Theatre is now Broadway’s top-grossing play of all time, generating $US2.8 million ($4.4 million) with eight preview performances.
It exceeded a record held by Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which pulled in more than $US2.7 million ($4.3 million) in December 2023, according to Deadline.
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Washington and Gyllenhaal recently spoke with CBS News Sunday Morning about the project.
“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 title role, while Gyllenhaal is cast as Iago. The Shakespearian plot revolves around Othello as a military commander who is convinced that his wife has been unfaithful by his ensign, Iago.
Now 70, Washington first starred as Othello while in college at Fordham University and reflected on how different playing the role is now versus when he was 22.
“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.
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“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 costar 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.
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The show’s official Broadway opening night took place on Sunday night and boasted a star-studded guest list.
Former U.S. President Joe Biden made his first public appearance since leaving office with former first lady Dr Jill Biden at the esteemed event.
Biden shared a photo of herself and her husband in evening attire before heading to the event.
“Date night! she simply captioned the post.
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Star-studded Broadway opening of Othello in New York City
When they arrived, Joe posed on the red carpet with the production’s leading stars Washington and Gyllenhaal.
Jennifer Lopez was also in attendance and wore a dazzling Zuhair Murad FW24 Couture design and Briony Raymond jewels as she stepped out onto the red carpet. She was joined by her child Emme Muñiz, 17, who kept things timeless in a classic pinstripe suit.
Other stars spotted at the event included actress and film producer Jamie Lee Curtis, Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon, actor Samuel L. Jackson and the 2025 Met Gala co-chairs Anna Wintour and Colman Domingo.
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