" I ’m giving back to others … That ’s what ’s of import to me — give , not the hoopla about what I ’m doing . "
As you’ll probably know,Denzel Washingtonis back on Broadway, starring as the titular character in Shakespeare’sOthelloalongsideJake Gyllenhaal.
Marking the first time the Shakespeare classic has been on Broadway in over 40 years, theOthellorevival has been getting a lot of attention since it opened at the Barrymore Theatre last month. But, aside from its celebrity stars, the most significant talking point of the new production has undoubtedly been thehefty ticket prices.
Right now, the best seats forOthelloare selling for$921, with prices starting at $216. The production broke box office history in March, becoming thehighest-grossing Broadway playever, bringing in $2.8 million before its opening night.
There has beena lotofdiscussion onlineabout the cost of the tickets, and amidthe backlash, the play’s director, Kenny Leon, spoke out to defend the ticket prices by comparing them to what people might pay to seeBeyoncéor sit courtside at a Lakers game.
Now, a month intoOthello’s limited run, Denzel has weighed in on the discussion about the ticket prices. Speaking on the red carpet at the Entertainment Community Fund Gala on Monday, the Oscar winner was asked about “tickets going for upwards of $900,” which prompted him to highlight what he feels is being overlooked in the discourse.
“But as low as $50, [too],” he said with a big grin. “People don’t talk about that. You heard what I just said, right?” Though he doesn’t go into more detail about this point, Denzel was seemingly referring to the limited number of$49 ticketsreleased on the day of each performance, reserved especially for students.
In response, theEntertainment Tonightreporter continued to ask Denzel about the wild “demand” for tickets — and whether the whole thing has him feeling like “Beyoncé andJay-Z,” as his director previously implied.
“Beyoncé and Jay-Z?! I haven’t quite felt like that… I can’t sing or rap,” he joked. “I’ve been blessed beyond measure for a long time. I’m not bragging, but I’ve been a part of sold-out shows before. God has blessed me with a great ability, and I’m humbled by the reaction and the response that we’re getting. I’m humbled by the opportunity to use my celebrity to help others. That’s what it’s about.”
you could browseOthellotickets here , and this is where you could watchDenzel ’s fullETinterview .
