“O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on.”
This iconic line from William Shakespeare’s Othello is once again gracing the Broadway stage, this time in a highly anticipated revival starring two-time Oscar winner Denzel Washington and Oscar nominee Jake Gyllenhaal.
For those who haven’t yet seen the production, there’s no need for envy.
Washington and Gyllenhaal in Character
Captured by photographer Julieta Cervantes, the newly released images showcase Washington as the formidable Othello and Gyllenhaal as his cunning lieutenant, Iago.
In one shot, the actors don military camouflage, while another image captures an intense confrontation between them, both dressed in formal attire.
Broadway Debut for Molly Osborne as Desdemona
Joining Washington and Gyllenhaal in the cast is Molly Osborne, who makes her Broadway debut as Desdemona, Othello’s devoted wife.
Shakespeare’s tragic play, written around 1603 under its full title The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice, follows Othello as Iago deceitfully fuels his jealousy, leading him to doubt Desdemona’s faithfulness.
Two striking images of Osborne illustrate this tragic journey. In the first, she is seen wearing an elegant white suit, affectionately holding Washington’s hand.
In the second, she appears in a blue nightgown, kneeling on a bed while pleading with Washington’s Othello, who looks down at her in stern disbelief.
A Glimpse at the Action-Packed Production
Other images capture Andrew Burnap, best known for his role in Snow White, as Cassio, engaging in a heated brawl with Ezra Knight as Montano, while fellow soldiers attempt to intervene.
Readers of Othello will recognize this pivotal moment as a key part of Iago’s intricate scheme.
First Broadway Revival of Othello in Over 40 Years
This marks the first time Othello has been staged on Broadway in over four decades. The last major revival was in 1982, with James Earl Jones as Othello, Christopher Plummer as Iago, and Dianne Wiest as Desdemona.
The current production is helmed by Tony Award-winning director Kenny Leon and produced by Brian Anthony Moreland, along with an impressive list of co-producers, including Real Housewives of Atlanta alumna Kandi Burruss and her husband, Todd Tucker.
Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal Performing Othello
An Ensemble Cast Packed with Talent
Joining Washington, Gyllenhaal, and Osborne in principal roles are:
- Anthony Michael Lopez as Roderigo
- Daniel Pearce as Brabantio
- Kimber Elayne Sprawl as Emilia
- Neal Bledsoe as The Duke of Venice
- Julee Cerda as Bianca
- Gene Gillette as Gratiano
- Rob Heaps as Ludovico
The ensemble is rounded out by William Connell, Ty Fanning, Ben Graney, Daniel Reece, Christina Sajous, and Greg Wood, with Abiola Obatolu serving as the production’s swing.
Washington and Gyllenhaal’s Broadway History
Washington is no stranger to Shakespearean performances. He previously starred in New York productions of Coriolanus and The Tragedy of Richard III at The Public Theater in 1979 and 1990, respectively.
His Broadway debut came in 1988 with Checkmates, and he later won a Tony Award for his performance as Troy Maxson in the 2001 revival of August Wilson’s Fences. Washington also appeared in the 2005 Broadway production of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar.
Gyllenhaal, 44, made his Broadway debut in 2014 with Constellations. He went on to star in the 2017 revival of Sunday in the Park with George and the 2019 production of Sea Wall/A Life, earning him a Tony nomination.
A Highly Anticipated and Record-Breaking Production
Currently in previews at Broadway’s Barrymore Theatre, Othello officially opens on Sunday, March 23, with a strictly limited 15-week engagement through Sunday, June 8.
Even before its official opening, the production has generated massive buzz. With tickets reportedly selling for as much as $921, the show has already broken Broadway box office records, grossing $2.8 million in a single week—more than any play has ever earned in a seven-day period.
“We’re very thankful [for] the support from the fans,” Burruss told earlier this month. “Believe me: Jake, Denzel [and] all the people in the show, they are here to bring it, and you will not be disappointed.”
