Denzel Washington Addresses $900 Othello Tickets – And His Humble Reaction to Broadway’s Massive Success

Denzel Washington is responding to the ongoing conversation surrounding the high ticket prices for Othello on Broadway, where some orchestra seats are reportedly selling for as much as $900. The celebrated actor, currently starring in the iconic Shakespearean play alongside Jake Gyllenhaal, spoke candidly about the pricing at the Entertainment Community Fund Gala on April 21, offering a balanced perspective on the issue.

While ticket prices for Othello have sparked discussions due to their high demand, Washington pointed out that there are more affordable options available for theatergoers. “They’re selling [tickets] as low as $50. People don’t talk about that,” he told Entertainment Tonight, suggesting that the pricing variance was often overlooked by those focusing only on the high-end tickets.

Despite the show’s commercial success, Washington was quick to downplay any sense of elitism, noting that his Broadway venture didn’t make him feel like a superstar in the same way a musician like Beyoncé or Jay-Z might. “I haven’t quite felt like that,” he laughed, adding, “I can’t sing or rap.” Washington’s humility remained evident as he reflected on his lengthy career and the opportunity to use his celebrity for a greater cause.

“I’ve been blessed beyond measure for a long time,” the actor continued. “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, and I’m humbled by the opportunity to… use my celebrity to help others. That’s what it’s about.”

Washington’s remarks align with his long-standing philosophy of service. “I’m in the service business. You know you… learn the first part of your life, you earn the second part of your life and you return in the third part of your life,” he said. “I’m in the return phase of life. So I’m returning, I’m giving back to others…”

His comments come just a few weeks after the director of Othello, Kenny Leon, also addressed the topic of high ticket prices. Leon, in an interview with Daily Mail, compared the price of seeing the show to attending an L.A. Lakers game or a Beyoncé concert, emphasizing that the demand for tickets was a reflection of what the audience deemed the production was worth.

Leon also shared an uplifting anecdote from an audience member who had purchased a $921 ticket for the show. “A guy showed up the other night and he said, ‘I paid $921 for this ticket and you know what? I don’t want a cent back. I want to figure out how to come back,’” Leon recounted. He expressed pride in the diverse audience attending Othello and in the show’s box office success, which he said included “student tickets” and “digital lotteries every day” to help make the production accessible to people across all economic backgrounds.

The limited Broadway engagement of Othello, which opened on March 23, marks the first time in over 40 years that the Shakespearean tragedy has graced the Broadway stage. This revival, with its star-studded cast of Washington and Gyllenhaal, will run for a 15-week engagement, ending on June 8.

Despite the high ticket prices, Othello has drawn widespread attention not only for its prestigious cast but also for the cultural significance of its return to Broadway. The last revival of the play in 1982 featured James Earl Jones as Othello, Christopher Plummer as Iago, and Dianne Wiest as Desdemona. The current production has sparked excitement for its fresh take on the classic play, with Washington and Gyllenhaal receiving accolades for their performances.

As tickets continue to sell fast for the limited run, Washington’s thoughtful comments remind audiences that, while ticket prices are high, there are still opportunities to experience the magic of Broadway without breaking the bank. For those who are unable to afford premium seats, the availability of lower-priced options and digital lotteries provides a way for all theater lovers to experience this historic production.