Othello's Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal Break Broadway's Top-Grossing Play Record

Denzel Washington's performance as Othello is creating Broadway history. Othello, starring Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal, has become Broadway's highest-grossing drama, earning a stunning $2,818,297 in previews over eight performances. The revival outperformed Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which earned $2,718,488. Othello is one of the most sought-after shows on Broadway, with an average ticket price of $338.09 as of last week. The average ticket price had been $361.90 the week before. Premium Othello tickets cost up to $897.

The fact that the exhibit is only running for a limited time may also be driving up pricing. The Barrymore Theatre will only show the Kenny Leon-directed revival until June 8. Washington plays the titular character, a Moorish commander who is a member of the Venetian elite until the jealous Iago exploits underlying racial tensions and political intrigue to instill terror in Othello's character, leading to his downfall.