The buzz on Broadway is real, and it’s all thanks to Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal. Their highly anticipated production of “Othello” has made a historic debut, pulling in a staggering $2.6 million across just seven performances at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, The Hollywood Reporter reported on March 4. This impressive sum not only makes “Othello” the highest-grossing show on Broadway during its previews, which started Feb. 24. The play officially debuted March 23 for a limited 15-week engagement.
The play’s financial success is largely driven by its sky-high ticket prices, with the average seat costing a hefty $361.90. To put that into perspective, the second most expensive average ticket price on Broadway belonged to “The Outsiders,” which came in at $155, according to Statista. With premium seats reaching as much as $921 for Row M, “Othello” has sparked conversations about the rising cost of theater attendance, according to The New York Post.
A New King of the Box Office: Denzel
Othello’s success pushed the long-reigning “Wicked” from its usual top spot, leaving the popular musical with $2.4 million in ticket sales. Other top earners included “Hamilton” at $1.55 million, “The Lion King” at $1.52 million, and “The Outsiders” at $1.28 million.
“Othello” is directed by Kenny Leon and produced by Brian Moreland. Singer/songwriter Kandi Burruss formerly of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” is also one of the producers along with her husband Todd Tucker. The couple has also produced other productions, such as “Thoughts of a Colored Man” (2021), “The Piano Lesson,” a revival of August Wilson’s play that opened in 2022, “The Wiz” (2024).
Shakespeare is not new to Washington. He has played Othello before, having first tackled the role at the age of 22 while studying at Fordham University. He has performed in Shakespeare in the Park in New York City. One of his notable performances was in 1990, when he played “Richard III” in a production by the Public Theater at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Washington starred in “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” a 2021 film adaptation of Shakespeare’s play, co-starring Frances McDormand, and directed by Joel Coen.