With stars like Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal, maybe it’s no wonder “Othello” just became the highest-grossing Broadway play ever, pulling in $2.8 million in a single week.
Washington said, “It’s the most excited I’ve been this century. Seriously. I haven’t been this excited about anything I’ve done as I am about this.”
That’s saying something coming from Washington. Known for roles in films like “Glory” and “Training Day” (both of which won him Oscars), he’s been called the greatest actor of the 21st century. But be careful before you call him a “Hollywood actor.”
“What’s the definition of a Hollywood actor?” he said. “Myself, I’m from Mt. Vernon, so I’m a ‘Mt. Vernon actor.’ I don’t know what ‘Hollywood’ means.”
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“Somebody who’s famous on film? A film actor, great success on film?”
“I’m a stage actor who does film; it’s not the other way around,” Washington said. “I did stage first. I learned how to act on stage, not on film. Movies are a filmmaker’s medium. You shoot it, and then you’re gone and they cut together and add music and do all of that. Theater is an actor’s medium. The curtain goes up, nobody can help you.”
Jake Gyllenhaal and Denzel Washington in a production of “Othello,” now on Broadway.
CBS News
“Othello” is the Tony-winner’s sixth Broadway show. He plays the title character, Othello, the military commander stirred into a murderous rage after his ensign, Iago, convinces him his wife, Desdemona, has been unfaithful.
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Jake Gyllenhaal plays the deceitful Iago, who seeks revenge on his longtime comrade and commander because he was passed over for a promotion.
Shakespeare wrote “Othello” around 1604. But this production sets the play in “the near future,” adding modern themes like soldiers suffering from PTSD.
Washington said, “People, you know, they ordinarily think, ‘Oh yeah, it’s about jealousy. And he betrays him.’ No, it’s about two soldiers who trust each other with their lives.”
“Well, then…” Gyllenhaal laughed.
“Yeah, what are you so pissed off about? What did I do to you?” Washington laughed.
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“What you know, you know!” Gyllenhaal replied. “But I mean, that what is shared is theirs, you know? And what is shared beyond something that they would share with others. That’s what makes their bond so strong.”
At 44 years old, Gyllenhaal is widely celebrated for the emotional range and intensity he brings to roles, in films such as “Brokeback Mountain,” “Zodiac” and “Nightcrawler.” And like Washington, he is a theater veteran, with “Othello” marking his fourth appearance on Broadway. But this is his first time performing Shakespeare (almost). “You know what I realized? I did do ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ in high school,” he said. “And I realized that this morning.”
“You forgot?” an astonished Washington laughed.
“Probably the audience and I would probably like to forget!”
We visited Gyllenhaal before a performance this past week at the Barrymore Theatre. Standing on stage, the actor said, “It’s my favorite place to be.”
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He explained his character feeds off the audience: “[Iago] does have a lot of moments [where] he has interactions with the audience, they kind of become his partner in it, and every night it is different. And that’s what I love so much about it.”
Washington, now 70, is no stranger to Shakespeare. On stage he’s played Richard III and Julius Caesar, and he has starred in movie versions of “Much Ado About Nothing” and an adaptation of “Macbeth.” He first played Othello as a student at Fordham University in New York City.
Asked how he relates to the play and its language differently from when he was 22, Washington replied, “I know a lot less now. I thought I knew everything then! I didn’t really like the part, ’cause I wasn’t wise enough to understand it. Now I understand it’s really about a bond, you know, that these characters have. He loves not wisely, but too well.”
“Othello” has been staged on Broadway more than 20 times. For most of those performances, Othello was played by a white actor in blackface. That changed in 1943, when Paul Robeson gave a legendary performance in the role. The last actor to play him on Broadway was James Earl Jones, in 1982.
“James Earl Jones was my northern star when I was in college,” said Washington. “He was who I wanted to be. I didn’t get to see his Othello, but I know it wasn’t as good as my 22-year-old interpretation! But you know, it’s my turn.”
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And what a turn it’s been. The show is already a box office hit. But record-breaking sales have driven prices sky-high; prime seats go for nearly $1,000, drawing some criticism.
But audiences are showing up, and by the sound of it are enjoying themselves – as are the stars.
Gyllenhaal said, “You get to a point where you’re like, ‘Oh, I’ve worked my whole career for this, for this moment.’”
“That’s what it feels like for me, too,” said Washington. “I worked my whole career for this moment. This is a 48-year journey for me. It’s fascinating to have been too young for the part, and some may say now too old. But 48 years of experience, so 48 years of pain and pleasure and life has informed my approach to playing the role.”
Gyllenhaal added, “I feel tremendous gratitude. And he makes me feel it when I walk in that rehearsal room every day.”
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WEB EXCLUSIVE: Watch an extended interview with Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal (Video)
Extended interview: Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal on “Othello”
14:13
For more info:
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Story produced by Wonbo Woo and Sara Kugel. Editor: Remington Korper.
Bill Whitaker
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Bill Whitaker is an award-winning journalist and 60 Minutes correspondent who has covered major news stories, domestically and across the globe, for more than four decades with CBS News.
In this provided photo, Michelle Stewart and her husband, Bryan Stewart, pose for a photo during her retirement ceremony as Chief of Staff at the Arlington National Cemetery on July 25, 2014. Both Michelle and Bryan Stewart retired with the rank of colonel after a combined nearly 60 years of service in the U.S. Army. They currently live in Battle Ground, Wash.
Courtesy Col. Keith Joseph
In just a few weeks, millions of Americans will celebrate the Fourth of July with their families and friends at barbecues, parades and outdoor concerts under fireworks. This year’s celebrations will take on added significance as our nation commemorates the 250th anniversary of its independence.
As we approach this historic milestone, “Think Out Loud” hears from guests whose life experiences and personal histories illuminate different aspects of what it means to be an American.
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We start by hearing from Bryan and Michelle Stewart, a married couple in Battle Ground, Wash. Bryan and Michelle retired as colonels in the U.S. Army after nearly 60 years of combined service at military bases in the U.S and abroad. They both served in Afghanistan and Iraq. Bryan was also deployed to the NATO headquarters in Belgium. Michelle worked in Bosnia, where she helped identify mass grave sites and assisted with the U.S.-led effort to end the war. She also served as the Chief of Staff at Arlington National Cemetery.
Michelle and Bryan Stewart join us to talk about how their military service has shaped their views on patriotism, sacrifice and our country’s founding ideals.
“Think Out Loud®” broadcasts live at noon every day and rebroadcasts at 8 p.m.
If you’d like to comment on any of the topics in this show or suggest a topic of your own, please get in touch with us on Facebook, send an email to thinkoutloud@opb.org, or you can leave a voicemail for us at 503-293-1983.
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WASHINGTON (7News) — With thousands of spectators expected to attend the UFC fights at The White House, fans had to fight the weather while awaiting the much-anticipated event.
Fight night on Sunday was preceded by excitement in the hours leading up to the first bout.
ALSO SEE | FIRST LOOK: UFC drops renderings for White House fight, Freedom 250 Fan Fest
“Everywhere you walk, people have American flags; they’re excited about the fights,” said David Klimek.
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The heat and humidity blanketed the nation’s capital throughout the day.
Event staff handed out free water bottles along the path leading to the security screening area.
“We’re probably just going to find a bar or a watch party, maybe get out of the heat a little bit. They were giving out free waters. That was cool. I wasn’t expecting that,” said Nathan Willingham.
Klimek echoed this sentiment, telling 7News, “It’s just too hot out here. We try to have water, but you’re standing in the sun, so we did the best we can.”
It wasn’t just the heat that played a role on Sunday.
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The possibility of storms also had fans making plans in case they had to find cover.
“We planned to just wait it out right in the rain. But for the lightning, we were just going to follow the crowd, see where people go. I heard they were going to come back when it’s over, so we just trusted the organizers to keep us safe,” Klimek said.
Ethan Ragland told 7News, “I think we’re just going to go to a bar, just watch the fight there if that happens. That’s the ‘plan B,’ I guess.”
In the days leading up to the fights, public safety officials ramped up security measures.
That included road closures all around the National Mall.
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ALSO READ | Federal judge dismisses challenge to White House UFC fight
“I think they did a really good job of setting up all of the infrastructure. They got a lot of police. It seems like it’s pretty safe,” Willingham said. “I was worried about the possibility of some dangerous stuff, but it seems like it’s very, very secure.”
Many roads will remain closed through Monday evening.
The Mariners will try to wipe the slate clean today behind Emerson Hancock. He could use a great outing as much as the Mariners could use one from him. Since his first start in May, Hancock has looked less like a breakout star and more like a somewhat improved version of his old self. Over that time, his K%-BB% is down to just 12%, and he’s outrunning his peripherals on the back of a .200 BABIP. That’s all fine, and even that version of Hancock has more of a career in front of him than the guy who finished last season. But one hopes he can adjust back now that the league has clearly adjusted to him.
The Nats will counter with PJ Poulin, who will work as an opener in front of Miles Mikolas.
With Randy Arozarena still down with the hamstring issue and Julio Rodríguez getting a DH day, we’ll see an outfield of Luke Raley, Víctor Robles, and Dominic Canzone. It’s giving 2024. I wouldn’t read too much into Raley, Canzone, and Miles Mastrobouni getting starts against a lefty since Mikolas is expected to get the bulk today for Washington. Honestly, I’m surprised more teams aren’t trying a lefty opener against the Mariners.
Pretty standard lineup for the Nats except that Curtis Mead has the day off, and James Wood gets DH duty. On the seventh day, they rested.
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First pitch: We got ourselves brunch baseball, baby. 10:35 PDT first pitch. TV: Mariners TV Radio: Old reliable
