Jake GyllenhaalandDenzel Washington’s stage version ofOthellohas set an all-time Broadway record. While both actors are known primarily for the screen, Washington and Gyllenhaal have also made their foray onto the stage. Washington is a previous Tony Award recipient, winning Best Leading Actor in a Play in 2010 forhis role inFences, which he later adapted for the screen. Gyllenhaal has been in productions both on and off-Broadway, includingSunday in the Park with GeorgeandLittle Shop of Horrors. The actors currently star together inOthello.
PerDeadline,Othellohas now brokenthe record for the highest-grossing play in Broadway history. In its previews at the Barrymore Theater, the Shakespeare play managed to bring in $2,818,297. This makes it the top-performing eight-performance play in Broadway history, breaking the previous record held byHarry Potter and the Cursed Child, which made $2,718,488.
What This Means For Broadway
A Movie Tie-In Helps Stage Plays
If the two Broadway record-holders show one thing, it is that a movie tie-in does well for the stage. WhileHarry Potter and the Cursed Childis a separate story that is set several years after the events ofDeathly Hallows, it finds its franchise origins in a book series that became a major cinematic IP. Because of this, the film was more easily able to draw both Broadway fans andHarry Potterfranchiseaudiences that would not have otherwise seen the play. The same could be said aboutOthello, which features two Hollywood A-listers.
Washington plays the titular character inOthello, while Gyllenhaal plays Iago.
Othello’s success could have interesting implications on the careers of both Washington and Gyllenhaal.Washington has been clear that he is not retiringbut that he is going to be more selective about the projects he takes on. While he will be less likely to do stunt-filled action movies that he might have taken on in his younger years, perhapsOthello’s success could compel the Oscar-winner to the stage. Likewise, Gyllenhaal could be motivated to do more on Broadway when his schedule allows.
Our Take On Othello’s Broadway Record
Broadway And Hollywood Audiences Are Increasingly Overlapping
This recent record serves as further proof that the relationship between Hollywood and Broadway is getting better in terms of overlapping viewership. While the groups are often considered starkly separate in terms of interest, last year also saw the release of themovie adaptation of the Broadway showWicked. This film was met with huge success, showing that it had an appeal both to Broadway audiences and those not typically interested in musicals.Othellois just another example of that crossover, and it will be interesting to see how Broadway-Hollywood connections like this develop.
