<p id=”par-1_53″>The stars were out on Sunday for the opening night of <em>Othello </em>on <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/broadway/?swcfpc=1″>Broadway</a>. Jennifer Lopez, Kandi Burruss, and Katie Holmes were among the A-listers who converged on the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on March 23 to see <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/denzel-washington-shared-didnt-keep-oscar-house.html/”>two-time Oscar-winner Denzel Washington</a> take the stage in the classic Shakespeare tale of betrayal and revenge.</p>
<p id=”par-2_48″>Washington plays the title character in the high-profile revival, alongside Jake Gyllenhaal as his rival Iago. Molly Osbourne plays Desedmona. Though the play just opened, it’s already a bona fide hit, taking in $2.8 million in just one week – more than any other Broadway play in history. </p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-1″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Jennifer-Lopez-Emme-Muniz-3.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Jennifer Lopez poses for a photo with Emme Muniz” class=”wp-image-3792431″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Jennifer Lopez and Emme Muniz arrive to the opening of ‘Othello’ on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on March 23 in New York City | James Devaney/GC Images</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-3_28″>Jennifer Lopez was among the celebrities eager to get the chance to see Washington sink his teeth into <em>Othello. </em>She attended the premiere with <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/jennifer-lopezs-child-emme-muniz-steps-pinstripes-months-ben-affleck-divorce.html/”>her child, Emme Muñiz</a>.</p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-2″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Kandi-Burruss.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Kandi Burruss in a black mermaid-style gown” class=”wp-image-3792433″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Kandi Burruss | James Devaney/GC Images</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-4_26″>Kandi Burruss made a statement on the red carpet with her dramatic black mermaid gown. <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/rhoa-kandi-burruss-details-learning-carlos-king-sold-xscape-biopic-without-her-consent.html/”><em>The Real Housewives of Atlanta </em>alum</a> is one of <em>Othello</em>’s producers. </p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-3″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Othello-Premiere.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Side by side portrails of Angela Bassett, Rosie Perez, Ariana DeBose, and Katie Holmes at the Othello Premiere” class=”wp-image-3792434″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>[L-R] Angela Bassett, Rosie Perez, Ariana DeBose, Katie Holmes | Valerie Terranova/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-5_24″>Burruss wasn’t the only person serving looks on Sunday. Angela Bassett, Rosie Perez, Ariana DeBose, and Katie Holmes all showed off their style chops. </p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-4″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Denzel-Washington-Joe-Biden-Jake-Gyllenhaal.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Joe Biden, in a tux, poses for a photo with Denzel Washington, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Kenny Leon” class=”wp-image-3792429″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>(L-R) Denzel Washington, Joe Biden, Jake Gyllenhaal, and ‘Othello’ director Kenny Leon | Bruce Glikas/WireImage</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-6_39″>The list of notable audience members also included former president Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, in their first public appearance since he left the White House. “Riveting…brilliant…BRAVO!” the former first lady raved on her <a href=”https://www.instagram.com/drbiden/?hl=en” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Instagram</a> Story.</p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-5″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Denzel-Washington-Othello.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Denzel Washington as Othello, giving a thumbs-up and wearing a military jacket” class=”wp-image-3792430″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Denzel Washington during the opening night curtain call for ‘Othello’ | Bruce Glikas/WireImage</figcaption></figure>
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<p id=”par-7_60″>In an interview with CBS News’ <em>Sunday Morning, </em>Washington spoke about starring in the first Broadway production of <em>Othello </em>in more than 40 years. The last time it was staged, James Earl Jones took on the title role. Washington – who first tackled the iconic character in a college production at Fordham University – hopes he can fill those shoes. </p>
<p id=”par-8_45″>“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.”</p>
<p id=”par-9_13″>For the acclaimed actor, playing Othello truly is the role of a lifetime. </p>
<p id=”par-10_25″>“It’s the most excited I’ve been this century,” he said. “Seriously. I haven’t been this excited about anything I’ve done as I am about this.”</p>
<p id=”par-11_11″><em>For more news and exclusive interviews, follow </em><a href=”https://www.instagram.com/showbizcheatsheet/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”><em>Showbiz Cheat Sheet’s Instagram</em></a><em>.</em></p>