Interviews: The Opening Night of Othello on Broadway

One of Shakespeare’s most gripping tragedies has returned to Broadway in a stunning new revival of Othello starring Academy Award winner Denzel Washington and Academy Award nominee Jake Gyllenhaal. Directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon (Fences, Topdog/Underdog, A Raisin in the Sun), this production breathes fresh life into the classic tale of jealousy, betrayal, and power. With an electrifying cast led by Washington and Gyllenhaal, Othello is one of the most anticipated theatrical events of the season.

On opening night, I spoke with the cast and creative team about their roles, the relevance of Othello today, and the process of bringing this Shakespearean masterpiece to life.

Denzel Washington (Othello) & Jake Gyllenhaal (Iago) - Two Hollywood heavyweights take center stage in this explosive revival. Denzel Washington, an Academy Award and Tony Award-winning icon, delivers a commanding performance as Othello, the Moorish general whose trust is tragically misplaced. Opposite him, Jake Gyllenhaal steps into the role of Iago, Shakespeare’s ultimate villain, bringing his signature intensity and nuance to the character. Their onstage chemistry fuels the production’s emotional stakes, making this a must-see theatrical event.

Kenny Leon (Director) - Tony Award-winning director Kenny Leon helms this groundbreaking production of Othello. With a career spanning Broadway and film, Leon’s visionary approach brings new life to Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy. I spoke with him about his interpretation of the play and his vision for creating an accessible, contemporary version of this classic.

Molly Osborne (Desdemona) - Molly Osborne steps into the role of ‘Desdemona,’ the devoted and tragic wife of Othello. Making her Broadway debut, Osborne brings a fresh perspective to this iconic Shakespearean heroine. I had the opportunity to chat with her about the complexities of Desdemona and this exciting experience.

Andrew Burnap (Cassio) - Andrew Burnap stars as Cassio in Othello, bringing his Tony-winning talent to the role of the conflicted lieutenant. Known for his portrayal of Toby Darling in The Inheritance, Andrew’s performance earned him widespread acclaim, winning the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play. He also recently starred as King Arthur in Camelot at Lincoln Center.

Kimber Elayne Sprawl (Emilia) - Kimber Elayne Sprawl portrays Emilia, the strong-willed and complex wife of Iago. Known for her roles in Girl from the North Country and Wicked, Kimber has impressed audiences with her commanding presence. She’s also appeared in TV shows like East New York and That Damn Michael Che.

Anthony Michael Lopez (Roderigo) - Anthony Michael Lopez plays Roderigo. He has been seen on Broadway in Our Town and Camelot. Anthony’s TV roles include The Gilded Age and Homeland, with film credits in Mapplethorpe and The Shallow Tale.

Kandi Burruss (Producer) - Grammy-winning artist and Broadway producer Kandi Burruss brings her creative expertise to Othello. Known for her work on The Piano Lesson and Thoughts of a Colored Man, Burruss continues to champion powerful storytelling on Broadway. We discussed her passion for producing meaningful, transformative theater and her experience working on this production.

Todd Tucker (Producer) - Producer Todd Tucker joins the Broadway production of Othello, continuing his work in bringing innovative and powerful stories to the stage.

This spring, experience Shakespeare’s epic tale like never before. Tony and Academy Award winner Denzel Washington stars as ‘Othello,’ the noble Moor of Venice and commanding warrior general. Opposite him, Tony and Academy Award nominee Jake Gyllenhaal portrays ‘Iago,’ the ambitious lieutenant and masterful manipulator.

The award-winning creative team will feature two-time Tony Award winner and two-time Emmy Award® winner Derek McLane (scenic design), Tony Award winner Dede Ayite (costume design), eight-time Tony Award winner Natasha Katz (lighting design), two-time Tony Award nominee and OBIE Award® winner Justin Ellington (sound design), Academy Award winner and Emmy Award winner Mia Neal (hair and wig design), Claire Warden (intimacy director), Narda E. Alcorn (production stage manager), ARC / Duncan Stewart, CSA & Jarrett Reiche (casting director), Ioana Alfonso (associate director), Dawn-Elin Fraser (voice coach), and James Shapiro (Shakespeare consultant). 101 Productions, Ltd. serves as general managers with production management by Neil Mazzella/Hudson Theatricals.

Tickets for Othello are on sale now at www.telecharge.com, by calling 212 239 6200, or at the Barrymore Theatre box office. For more information, visit www.othellobway.com.