Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal Brush Up Their Shakespeare as Rehearsals Begin for Broadway'sOthello(Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Denzel Washington and Molly Osborne.Photo:Julieta Cervantes

Julieta Cervantes

Denzel WashingtonandJake Gyllenhaaltook one step closer to Broadway last week, as rehearsals began for the highly anticipated revival of William Shakespeare’sOthello.

The two decorated actors are leading the cast of the production, which comes from Tony Award-winning director Kenny Leon.

Performances begin Monday, Feb. 24 at the Barrymore Theatre in New York City ahead of an opening night on Sunday, March 23. The strictly limited 15-week engagement is scheduled to close on Sunday, June 8.

Greg Wood and Jake Gyllenhaal.Julieta Cervantes

The pictures captured Washington, who plays the title role, sharing a laugh alongside Molly Osborne, the actress cast in the role of Othello’s wife, Desdemona. Gyllenhaal, who plays Othello’s foil Iago, was snapped separately, sitting beside ensemble actor Greg Wood.

There’s also a shot of lead producer Brian Anthony Moreland speaking with Leon and the cast, as well as a picture of Tony winner Andrew Burnap, who plays Cassio, checking out a model of the Tony and Emmy winner scenic designer Derek McLane’s set.

Andrew Burnap.Julieta Cervantes

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Othellohasn’t been on Broadway in over 40 years. The last revival, in 1982, starred James Earl Jones as Othello, Christopher Plummer as Iago and Dianne Wiest as Desdemona.

Joining Washington, Gyllenhaal, Osborne and Burnap 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), Ezra Knight (as Montano), Gene Gillette (as Gratiano) and Rob Heaps (as Ludovico).

Ensemble members, in addition to Wood, are William Connell, Ty Fanning, Ben Graney, Daniel Reece and Christina Sajous. Abiola Obatolu is the production’s swing.

Director Kenny Leon (center) and producer Brian Anthony Moreland.Julieta Cervantes

Washington has cut his teeth with Shakespeare in the past. He starred in N.Y.C. productions of Shakespeare’sCoriolanusandThe Tragedy of Richard IIIat The Public Theater in 1979 and 1990 respectively.

The Oscar winner had his Broadway debut in 1988’sCheckmatesbefore going on to star as Troy Maxson in the 2001 revival of August Wilson’s playFences, for which he received a Tony Award. The actor also starred in the 2005 Broadway production of Shakespeare’sJulius Caesar.

Gyllenhaal, on the other hand, made his Broadway debut in 2014’sConstellationsand later starred in the 2017 revival ofSunday in the Park with Georgeand the 2019 production ofSea Wall/A Life— the latter of which nabbed him a Tony nomination.

Tickets forOthelloare now on sale.

source: people.com