Review: Othello on Broadway with Jake Gyllenhaal and Denzel Washington
When it was announced that Othello was returning to Broadway in a limited run starring Denzel Washington in the titual role and Jake Gyllenhaal as Iago, expectations were high. And the buzz has only increased since then with headlines about the expensive ticket price, Tony nomination snubs, and broken box office records.
Obviously, we had to see what all the hype was about. Here is our honest review of Othello on broadway.
The Basics
Othello is one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies that hasn’t been on Broadway since it’s last run in 1982. This take stays fairly true to form but with a bit of modernization, set “in the near future.” The official synopsis:
Othello, a general in the Venetian army, sees his happy marriage to the beautiful Desdemona destroyed when his seemingly trustworthy ensign, Iago, suggests to him that she may be unfaithful, in William Shakespeare's tragedy of revenge, jealousy and intrigue.
The show runs for 2 hours 35 minutes including one intermission and throughout that time, your phone is locked away to preserve the immersive experience. Othello is a strictly limited 15-week engagement on Broadway and it runs through June 8th only. So, if you want to go, you need to go now.
If you do decide to go (or even if you decide not to) you might want to consider brushing up on the original play. We found the story to be pretty gripping. It’s remarkable how well the original text holds up to modern standards of drama. (Affiliate Link)
The Tickets
They’re expensive. If you want to sit in the orchestra, expect to pay $900 at least. You can get more affordable seats if you don’t mind sitting in the mezzanine, but given the pull is the actors, we do recommend being close for this one. And we’re not the only ones. Despite the heavy ticket price, the show keeps being sold out. We spotted a few celebrities in the audience and it was recently announced that the production broke the weekly record for top-grossing play in Broadway history and is now the highest-earning play revival in the world.
The Set
The production is set in a contemporary world with muted palettes, tactical uniforms, and stark lighting. The text remains Shakespearean, but the tone and tempo feel current. The direction is clean and confident, but almost a bit too sparse. Ultimately, we didn’t mind the minimalism but it’s clear that the heavy lifting is on the the performances.
The Performances
Denzel Washington brings gravity and charisma to Othello. He is incredibly charismatic and confident on stage. But it was Jake Gyllenhaal who truly stole the show for us. As the primary villain, Gyllenhaal is magnetic, rapidly switching between a snide and calculating persona to one that was almost disturbingly affable. He’s so compelling it’s hard to look away, even as he leads the tragedy toward its inevitable dark end.
This show is all about the leads and they earn every bit of the spotlight. The supporting cast is solid, but they very much feel supporting. This production truly revolves around Gyllenhaal and Washington.
As you can tell, the crowd was almost too excited about the cast. It was absolute pandemonium trying to leave the theater!
Is It Worth It?
If you're lukewarm on Shakespeare or lukewarm on the price, you might not find this essential. But if you’re a fan of either lead actor or just a fan of broadway, we do recommend Othello as long as you know what to expect. This is not be a flashy musical or a visually striking experience, but it is a showcase of top-tier acting in a stripped-down, intentional format. It’s not reinventing the play, but it doesn’t need to! The draw here is the rare chance to see two powerhouse actors perform live on stage, and they both deliver, especially Gyllenhaal whose performance is reason alone to go.
We’re really glad we went and you might enjoy it as well. Come for the names, stay for the performances.
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