*The connection between Denzel Washington and his son John David is more than personal for Kandi Burruss.
With the reality TV fixture, it was a matter of the right project at the right time that brought Denzel on board for the Broadway revival of William Shakespeare’s “Othello.” Recalling the start of talks with the “Gladiator II” star about the classic Greek tragedy, Burrus cited production on the 2022 revival of another noteworthy play, “The Piano Lesson.” The August Wilson-theatrical project, which starred John David and Burrus’ husband Todd Tucker, centered around two siblings fighting over their family’s ancestral piano.
“We would see Denzel around that time, and that’s when Brian and Denzel initiated the conversation,” Burruss told People while taking in the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards.
Burruss and Tucker have since elevated as co-producers for “Othello” with lead producer rian Anthony Moreland. According to the Xscape member, conversations between Tucker, who helped producer “The Piano,” and Washington.
In addition to Denzel as the titular character, the Kenny Leon-directed “Othello” revival boasts a cast that includes Jake Gyllenhaal as the scheming Iago and Molly Osborne as Othello’s wife Desdemona. In addition the play will feature Andrew Burnap, Anthony Michael Lopez, Daniel Pearce, Kimber Elayne Sprawl, Neal Bledsoe, Julee Cerda, Ezra Knight, Gene Gillette, Rob Heaps, Ty Fanning, Ben Graney, Christina Sajous, Greg Wood and Sarah Thorn.
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Previews for “Othello” started Feb. 24 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre in New York City, with the play set to open March 23 and conclude its limited run on June 8. The status on “Othello” is highly anticipated with seats selling as high as $921, People reports, adding that box office records for the production have already been broken. The play recently grossed $2.8 million alone — more than any play has ever made in 7 days on Broadway.
“We’re very thankful from the support from the fans, and believe me: Jake, Denzel, all the people in the show, they are here to bring it and you will not be disappointed,” Burrus told People.
If the early success for “Othello” is any sign, the “Love on My Mind” vocalist could be on her way to obtaining a Tony Award for the production. I
“I’m praying. But you know, I pray every time,” a hopeful Burruss stated. “Every time you have to go into it feeling like, ‘This is the one,’ you know? I’m going to speak it into existence.”
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