Denzel nearly severed his tongue and is powering through the painful setback as he prepares for his highly anticipated return to Broadway in Othello.
The Academy Award-winning actor, set to portray Shakespeare’s tormented Moor opposite Jake Gyllenhaal’s Iago, revealed that the bizarre injury has thrown an unexpected challenge into rehearsals. The incident came at a critical moment for Washington, who is gearing up for previews starting February 24. A consummate professional, he is finding ways to incorporate the injury into his performance, despite lingering discomfort.
The production, one of Broadway’s most anticipated offerings, will see Washington and Gyllenhaal tackle Shakespeare’s classic tale of jealousy, betrayal, and power. While the veteran actor is tackling his own physical struggles, he had nothing but admiration—and amusement—when speaking about his co-star.