Is Denzel Washington’s Othello the most expensive broadway show? What we know as actor defends over $900 ticket prices

Denzel Washington’s limited run of Othello is making news not only for its performance, but also for the soaring ticket prices.

The show's premium seats cost as much as $921, and the production is already raising questions about the rising prices of live theater and whether it is becoming a luxury event that only a select few can afford.

The 15-week run at the Barrymore Theatre features Denzel Washington in the title role and Jake Gyllenhaal as lago. With the star power, interest in the production was anticipated, but its price tags have become a hot topic.

According to The Guardian, the cost of the tickets seems to range between $216 and $921, and the much lower-end tickets feature side views that sacrifice visibility of the stage. The unprecedented prices for a non-musical helped Othello earn over $2.8 million in a single week, making it the highest-grossing Broadway show in a long time.

The record was recently broken by Good Night, and Good Luck. With George Clooney and Glengarry Glen Ross as the leads, the show amassed $3.9 million in a week.

Although Othello has earned the highest ticket price at Broadway’s box office for a non-musical, it has company in the luxury lane. Good Night, and Good Luck, comes close behind, with premium seats priced at $799 and $724.50, respectively.

Resale prices for shows that feature theater royalty like Audra McDonald and Bernadette Peters have also skyrocketed, with tickets selling for more than $2,000 in some cases. But in the end, Hamilton still holds the highest marked ticket price per seat. According to Variety, during the 2017 holiday season, Hamilton had premium seats selling for $1,150.

Denzel Washington’s thoughts on the ticket prices

Denzel Washington has defended the pricing in the face of criticism. He spoke at the Entertainment Community Fund Gala, noting that not every seat costs nearly a grand. Pointing out that student rush tickets are available for $49.

"But as low as $50. People don’t talk about that." He said.

Denzel Washington insists that the experience is worth the price tag. He added that he views this period of his life as an opportunity to give back to others through his performance and believes it’s also his responsibility to elevate others.

"I’ve been blessed beyond measure for a long time... I’m humbled by the opportunity to share with celebrity, or to use my celebrity to help others,” Washington remarked in an interview with Entertainment Tonight.

The director, Kenny Leon, has also defended the production’s pricing strategy. He told the Daily Mail, citing the thrill of attending Othello as comparable to watching a Lakers game or a Beyoncé performance. Leon shared a patron's response after watching the show.

Trending

"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 said.

What are your views regarding the pricing? Sound off in the comments section below.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback