Othello review – Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal’s underwhelming blockbuster
Ethel Barrymore Theatre, New York
The record-breaking take on the Shakespearean tragedy might already be a smash, but it’s disappointingly muddled
With the smell of doom and regression in the air, perhaps it’s not surprising that the hottest ticket on Broadway this season is for a 400-year-old tragedy. There’s been much ado about the box office for Othello, a new rendition of Shakespeare’s classic given movie-star wattage. The show at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal, grossed $2.8m during one week of previews – the most of any non-musical during a single week on Broadway ever, in part because some orchestra tickets are going for a whopping $921.
The sticker shock is not just an Othello problem – tickets for two other celeb-driven plays on Broadway – Glengarry Glen Ross, and George Clooney’s Good Night, and Good Luck, aren’t averaging much less, and it’s already been a lucrative season for celeb-studded Shakespeare as Romeo + Juliet, starring screen-famous Rachel Zegler and Kit Connor, recouped its $7m capitalization before closing last month. But before it even officially opened, Othello became emblematic of Broadway’s trend toward luxury experience and status symbol over popular entertainment, billing Hollywood names in a hyper-competitive, exclusionary market. (Full disclosure: the Guardian, denied tickets for review, paid $400 for a middle orchestra seat.)
Continue reading...-
Denzel Washington, Jake Gyllenhaal's 'Othello' breaks 'Harry Potter's' Broadway record
'Othello,' starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal, hasn't officially opened on Broadway yet, but the show's earnings for its preview performances have already broken a record.Los Angeles Times - Mar. 11 -
Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal on their record-breaking "Othello"
The stars of a new Broadway production of Shakespeare's tragic tale about friendship and betrayal explain why they say they've worked their whole careers for this moment.CBS News - 1d -
$921 to see Denzel Washington’s Othello? How Broadway tickets got so expensive
A blockbuster production of the Shakespeare tragedy might boast Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal but it’s sparked a debate over excessive pricing. How much would you pay to be in the same room ...The Guardian - 1d -
With $921 Seats, Denzel Washington’s ‘Othello’ Breaks a Box Office Record
Demand to see Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal play Shakespeare has set a record in a year when big stars have been driving up the prices of Broadway plays.The New York Times - Mar. 15 -
BREAKING (Records): Canucks Kiefer Sherwood Smashes NHL Season Hit Record Versus New York
The NHL has a new season hit record holder. Vancouver Canucks forward Kiefer Sherwood, who has made his presence known in Vancouver since signing with the team last offseason, has surpassed Jeremy ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
When might Alex Ovechkin break Wayne Gretzky goal record? A look at Capitals' schedule
Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin is chasing Wayne Gretzky's goal record. How he has fared vs. the teams he'll face the rest of the season.Yahoo Sports - 13h -
Timeline of Trump’s Deportation Flights, From Alien Enemies Act to Judge’s Order
A New York Times review of flight data showed that at the time of a federal judge’s order, two flights were in the air, and one had not yet taken off.The New York Times - Mar. 18 -
Canadiens: Showdown In New York
Before embarking on a four-game road trip to close out the month, the Montreal Canadiens are making a short stop in New York to take on the Islanders for the third and final time this season, each ...Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Denzel Washington speaks to Colorado football
nullESPN - Mar. 14
More from The Guardian
-
Russia and Ukraine agree to ‘eliminate the use of force’ in Black Sea
Kremlin stipulates maritime ceasefire will start only if it gets sanctions relief on agricultural exports. Russia and Ukraine have agreed to “eliminate the use of force” in the Black Sea after ...The Guardian - 1h -
Eight journalists covering anti-government protests held in Turkey
Arrests condemned as ‘unlawful’ by press freedom groups, highlighting growing repression amid demonstrations against President Erdoğan. A prosecutor in Istanbul has remanded eight journalists in ...The Guardian - 6h -
Democrats demand answers over White House’s ‘careless’ Signal blunder
Senators interrogate US intelligence community after Atlantic editor was added to group chat on Yemen war plans. US politics live – latest updates Democratic senators demanded answers from ...The Guardian - 5h -
Hamdan Ballal: Oscar-winning Palestinian director released from Israeli detention
No Other Land director released a day after he was attacked by settlers and detained by Israeli forces. An Oscar-winning Palestinian director who was attacked by Jewish settlers and detained by ...The Guardian - 3h -
US judge orders June trial for Boeing 737 Max fraud case
Families of victims of two deadly 737 Max plane crashes hail ‘opportunity for justice’ as trial date set in criminal case. A US judge ordered a 23 June trial date in the Department of Justice’s ...The Guardian - 1h
More in World
-
JD Vance to Lead Visit by US Delegation to Greenland
Amid President Trump’s push to take over the world’s largest island, the administration says it is sending the vice president to visit a military base there.The New York Times - 22m -
Russia and Ukraine agree to ‘eliminate the use of force’ in Black Sea
Kremlin stipulates maritime ceasefire will start only if it gets sanctions relief on agricultural exports. Russia and Ukraine have agreed to “eliminate the use of force” in the Black Sea after ...The Guardian - 1h -
In Germany’s New Parliament, Women Are a Rarer Sight
The class of lawmakers taking office is noticeably more male and less diverse than the constituents it will represent.The New York Times - 1h -
FirstFT: China releases employees of US firm after two years
Also in today’s newsletter, Indonesia rupiah falls to lowest level since Asian financial crisis, and US agrees Ukraine-Russia maritime ceasefire dealFinancial Times - 1h -
Sudan Military Bombing Kills Dozens in Attack on Market in Darfur
The bombing in a crowded market, which monitors called a likely war crime, was a grim reminder of the brutal toll caused by both sides in the two-year civil war.The New York Times - 1h