Broadway's newest revival of Othello began previews at the Barrymore Theatre February 24, with an official opening set for March 23. Before opening night, hear from the company and creatives in the video above, including why the revival is set in the year 2028.
The Kenny Leon-helmed production is led by Denzel Washington in the title role and Jake Gyllenhaal as Iago.
Even for seasoned professionals like Washington and Gyllenhaal, the process for leading a Broadway show is intense. "I'm obsessed," Washington says. "I'm up at 3:00 in the morning, I'm putting 15, 16, 17, 18 hours in a day. I'm living it. I try to get up and think about God, I'm waking up and thinking about Othello. So I read the script, then I read the Bible...it's just all-consuming, and we are both in it like that."
"As soon as they came to me and asked me to play this role, I knew it would take me at least a year to understand the language and learn the world," adds Gyllenhaal. "The devotion that I have to the process, which I love even more—[the] pre-process—than even the performance, it's already been mind-blowing."
Washington and Gyllenhaal are joined by Molly Osborne as Desdemona, Andrew Burnap as Cassio, 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, Ezra Knight as Montano, Gene Gillette as Gratiano, and Rob Heaps as Ludovico.
Shakespeare is, of course, never far from Broadway, though this revival is the first Broadway staging of the tragedy since a 1982 revival starring James Earl Jones and Christopher Plummer. The classic play follows its title character, a Moorish military commander who falls victim to a psychological campaign from adversary Iago, aimed at turning him against his new wife, Desdemona.
Even centuries after the play's origins, the company of the upcoming revival says Leon's staging of Othello is timely, and the new modern staging will make it moreso. "This play that was written over 400 years ago is still relevant to us now," Osborne says. "Bringing a modern lens to it can really refresh that and bring it to more people. Once again, it's so great how Shakespeare is so eternal in that way."
"2025 needs this version of Othello. 2030, 3035, 1966 could've probably used it," adds Sprawl. "It's just so universal."
WATCH: Kenny Leon Marks His Homecoming to Broadway's Barrymore Theatre Ahead of Othello
The ensemble comprises William Connell, Ty Fanning, Ben Graney, Daniel Reece, Christina Sajous, and Greg Wood, with swing Abiola Obatolu rounding out the company. Casting is by Duncan Stewart and Jarrett Reiche of ARC.
Shakespeare is, of course, never far from Broadway, though this revival is the first Broadway staging of the tragedy since a 1982 revival starring James Earl Jones and Christopher Plummer. The classic play follows its title character, a Moorish military commander who falls victim to a psychological campaign from adversary Iago, aimed at turning him against his new wife, Desdemona.
The production features scenic design by two-time Tony winner Derek McLane, costume design by Tony winner Dede Ayite, lighting design by eight-time Tony winner Natasha Katz, sound design by Obie Award winner Justin Ellington, hair and wig design by Emmy winner Mia Neal, intimacy direction by Claire Warden, and production stage management by Narda E. Alcorn.
The production's lead producer is Brian Anthony Moreland. He's previously received four Tony Award nominations, for The Piano Lesson, American Buffalo, The Sound Inside, and Sea Wall/A Life (co-starring Gyllenhaal).
Visit OthelloBway.com.
