Denzel Washington Breaks Broadway Records—So Why Did the Tonys Ignore Him? His Wife Has a Theory
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Pauletta Washington, wife of renowned actor Denzel Washington, is speaking out after her husband’s critically acclaimed performance in the Broadway revival of Othello was snubbed by the Tony Awards. The play, directed by Kenny Leon, features Denzel Washington in the titular role of Othello and Jake Gyllenhaal as Iago. Despite breaking box office records and enjoying widespread audience praise, the production was notably absent from the Tony Award nominations this year, sparking reactions from Pauletta and others involved in the show.
In a conversation with reporters on May 7, Pauletta was candid about her feelings on the Tony snub. “Now see, that’s not something you want to ask me,” she said with a laugh, hinting at the frustration she felt over the oversight. “I can’t say that I was surprised that they didn’t,” she added, acknowledging that this wasn’t the first time her family had faced such disappointments.
Pauletta went on to express her belief that the exclusion of the Othello revival from the Tony nominations was the result of “narrow-minded people” making decisions in the theater world. “In my family, we’ve been through this a lot of times. A lot of times. And I think I can speak honestly and truthfully and artistically that it was denied, you know, so you wonder why. But we don’t have to wonder why: It’s narrow-minded people that are in charge of making decisions and judgments.”
Despite the snub, the Othello revival has been a commercial triumph, breaking box office records with a stunning $2.8 million in weekly sales, setting a new high for Broadway productions. However, the show has faced criticism for its skyrocketing ticket prices, with some tickets listed as high as $900. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Denzel Washington defended the pricing, pointing out that tickets were also available for as low as $50, though this aspect of the pricing structure hasn’t garnered as much attention.
Pauletta believes that the financial success of the production, particularly the high ticket prices, contributed to the Tony exclusion. “That’s the bottom line,” she said, speaking to another reporter after acknowledging the show’s commercial success. “And that’s a part of it. And you know that.” Her comments suggest a frustration with the perception that the play’s financial success may have overshadowed its artistic achievements in the eyes of some decision-makers.
The production’s co-producer, Kandi Burruss, also expressed her disappointment over the Tony snub in an Instagram post on May 1. Burruss, alongside her husband Todd Tucker, co-produced the revival, and in her post, she shared her pride in the production despite the lack of recognition. “Of course I’m disappointed, but I’m still beyond proud to be part of this phenomenal production,” Burruss wrote. “Every time I watch our cast, I’m blown away and inspired.”
Pauletta echoed Burruss’s sentiments, sharing her admiration for the performances, especially Denzel’s. “I’ve gone to many, many performances, as you can imagine, and everybody leaves it — without knowing anything about Shakespeare — knowing what the story is,” she said. “In our family, we’re the toughest critics for each other because we are on display, so we know we have to be on the mark at all times. So the work is put in.”
Though Pauletta Washington’s comments reflect her disappointment, they also underscore her deep pride in her husband’s work and the production as a whole. The Broadway revival of Othello may have been overlooked by the Tonys, but for Pauletta, the heartfelt performances and the play’s commercial success speak volumes.
As for Denzel Washington, his iconic career continues to shine, and the Washington family’s resilience in the face of disappointment remains unwavering. Meanwhile, Reasonable Doubt, Pauletta’s current show, continues to captivate audiences on Hulu, with new episodes set to return later this year.
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