Denzel Washington has returned to Broadway in Othello, and the demand to see the Academy Award winner on stage has theatergoers spending prime greenback to observe him.
Washington stars alongside Jake Gyllenhaal within the Kenny Leon-directed manufacturing of the Shakespearean basic. The limited-run play, which debuted on Feb. 24 and runs by June 8, has seen ticket costs soar to almost $1,000 for mid-level seats, prompting critics to name the pricing “uncontrolled.”
In keeping with the New York Publish, seats in Row M—14 rows from the stage—are promoting for $921, far exceeding ticket costs for different main Broadway productions.
For comparability, Row M seats for Glengarry Glen Ross, starring Oscar winner Kieran Culkin, are priced at $574, with front-row seats going for $724. In the meantime, Good Evening and Good Luck, that includes Academy Award-winner George Clooney, has mezzanine back-row seats for $272 and front-row middle seats for round $600. Row D for The Image of Dorian Grey, starring Succession Emmy winner Sarah Snook, is listed at $450.
With Othello marking one among Denzel Washington’s ultimate initiatives earlier than retirement—and his final Broadway efficiency—followers are turning out in full drive for an opportunity to witness the legendary actor on stage. The overwhelming demand has propelled Othello to the highest spot on Broadway, surpassing Depraved, The Lion King, and Hamilton.
The manufacturing raked in a formidable $2.63 million in ticket gross sales final week alone. That’s $1 million greater than Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony Award-winning hip-hop sensation achieved throughout Broadway’s sometimes sluggish post-holiday, pre-spring break season.
Whereas it underscores the immense demand for beloved display icons like Denzel Washington, the steep ticket costs have led the Publish to criticize the present as “one among a number of limited-run, celebrity-driven performs this spring charging exorbitant costs.” Nonetheless, these fortunate sufficient to afford a ticket to the present have been singing its praises.
“I can’t overstate the enjoyment I felt seeing Denzel Washington—in particular person—play Othello on Broadway yesterday,” Ohio State Rep Brian Stewart tweeted.
“I can’t advocate the present extremely sufficient. You might hear a pin drop,” Stewart added. “Each seat crammed. Telephones all locked up whenever you enter. When you’re contemplating it— don’t miss it. Denzel is 70. He’s speaking about retirement. And but he seems to be in his greatest bodily form of the final 20 years.”
“Went to see Othello and Denzel had me in awe for the entire 2 hrs and 34 minutes of the play,” one other attendee wrote.
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