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Since the success of Netflix’s Bridgerton, Jonathan Bailey has been popping off on the mainstream scale, with his recent big hit being Wicked, one of the most celebrated movies of the year. Although it’s easy to see why one might credit Bridgerton as his breakthrough project, given it did earn him mainstream appeal, the actor himself doesn’t consider it to be true.

Wicked | Credits: Universal Pictures

In fact, per the Wicked star, his breakthrough moment in acting came in 2013’s Shakespearean play, Othello, which not only kickstarted his illustrious run on stage but also assisted him in dealing with his insecurities.

Jonathan Bailey deemed Othello his biggest break Jonathan Bailey in Bridgerton | Credit: Netflix

For the unversed, prior to making it big on the silver screen, Jonathan Bailey had already crafted a name for himself in the realm of theatres and is now set to mark his...

His intense turn in Netflix’s smash hit thriller made the Croydon-born actor go global. Next up he’s playing Mufasa in the Lion King prequel. Bring on the big roles, he says

Imagine a young James Earl Jones, Darth Vader himself, if he was from south London. That’s how smooth and chill Aaron Pierre, 30-year-old actor and star of Netflix hit Rebel Ridge, sounds when he fixes you with his sea-green eyes and tells you how his day’s been going: “I’m still working myself out, you know? Still learning, still growing …” That voice, in combination with those eyes, commands an audience’s attention, even in relatively small roles. Such as when he played Cassio in a 2018 production of Othello at south London’s Globe; or a man escaping slavery alongside Thuso Mbedu in Prime Video’s 2021 Golden Globe-winning series The Underground Railroad.

The voice-eyes combo...

Like many a romantic lead before him, when Jonathan Bailey first appears as Prince Fiyero in “Wicked” it’s on a horse, ready to be a savior to some damsel. For story purposes, it’s a good thing that Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) isn’t immediately impressed. But right from his “Hello,” no one would have blamed Elphaba if she ran off with him right then and there.

“[Jonathan’s] the most charming man I’ve ever met,” “Wicked” director Jon M. Chu told IndieWire. “The fact [is] that everybody — we didn’t even intentionally do it — but all the extras, all the background people, all the students were in love with him, and you could see it in their eyes.”

Fans likely aren’t too surprised: The worldwide blockbuster may have introduced Bailey to an even larger audience, but he’s been building a strong relationship with viewers for a while. The Olivier...

Othello, one of the greatest tragedy tales by William Shakespeare, is all set to return to the stages once again through Broadway. Set in Venice and Cyprus, it is widely regarded among the mastermind author’s major tragedies as it brings about the titular Moorish military commander’s story as he is manipulated by his ensign, Iago, into suspecting his wife Desdemona of infidelity.

Of course, as famous as it is, there have been innumerable other iterations of this play over the years. Multiple different star-studded actors have joined the cast of the same, and given epic performances that they continue to be renowned for. And now that Broadway is reviving the saga, a cast of critically applauded actors has once again united to give the performance of a lifetime.

Othello revival on Broadway. | Credits: @othellobway / Ig.

This time around, some of the major names connected to the cast are Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal,...

Exclusive: The Broadway revival of Othello starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal has added to the cast with Andrew Burnap, Anthony Michael Lopez, Daniel Pearce (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) and Kimber Elayne Sprawl (Girl from the North Country).

The four will play, respectively, Cassio, Roderigo, Brabantio and Emilia. They’ll join the previously announced Washington, who plays Othello, Gyllenhaal (Iago) and Molly Osborne (Desdemona).

The new castings were announced today by producer Brian Anthony Moreland. Complete casting will be announced soon.

Kenny Leon directs.

The production will begin previews Monday, February 24, 2025, at Broadway’s Barrymore Theatre, with an opening night on Sunday, March 23. The limited 15-week engagement runs through Sunday, June 8.

The production’s creative team will feature Derek McLane (scenic design), Dede Ayite (costume design), Natasha Katz (lighting design), Justin Ellington (sound design), Mia Neal...

Kelsey Grammer remembered working with his friend and fellow actor James Earl Jones – who passed away on September 9 – during an episode of “The Spotlight with Jessica Shaw” on SiriusXM’s Stars (Ch. 109).

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“James and I became great friends and there was nothing like working with him,” Kelsey told Jessica. “I had an opportunity to, in a discussion about Frasier’s next season back in LA a few days ago, to kind of honor him a little bit in memory of discussing what it was like to be on stage with him and I cried every night when he would turn to me and say, it was like, ‘I pray you, in your letters, when you shall these unlucky deeds relate, speak of me as I am; nothing extenuate, nor set down aught in malice,’ and when he would say that,...

Laurence Olivier's iconic career spanned diverse genres, showcasing his talent as one of the greatest actors of the 20th century. Olivier's portrayal of Othello, even controversial, remains a powerful depiction on screen, capturing the essence of the tragic character. The legendary actor's performances in films like "Rebecca" and "Spartacus" exemplified his versatility and impact on Hollywood cinema.

The English actor and director Laurence Olivier was one of the most acclaimed actors of the 20th century who had countless incredible roles across many different genres. While much of Oliviers most renowned work was as a Shakespearean actor in some of the greatest tragedies ever produced, hes also excelled in murder mysteries, romances, and thrillers. From his knighthood to his endless awards, including 11 Academy Award nominations and two Oscar wins, Oliviers career was one categorized by impressive accolades and intensely memorable performances.

Olivier has consistently been written about as among...

“I thought of it,” says Kelsey Grammer. At the top of THR’s Comedy Actor Emmy Roundtable, he’d been asked to recall the funniest feedback he’s ever received. It took him half an hour, but the answer found him: “I was in my 40s, and somebody said, ‘You are the worst boyfriend I’ve ever had!’ ” The Frasier star, now pretending to cry, is met with a burst of laughter. What started with a little trepidation — “This is my first roundtable,” confessed Palm Royale’s Ricky Martin, who was joined at The Georgian Hotel in Santa Monica by John Goodman (The Conners and The Righteous Gemstones), Grammer, Theo James (The Gentlemen), Anthony Mackie (Twisted Metal) and Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live) — soon shifted to dueling war stories of drunken fans and lessons learned from a combined 180 years in entertainment.

What’s the funniest or strangest feedback you’ve...

Rio De Janeiro, Aug 9 (Ians) Corinthians earned a place in the Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals after holding Newell’s Old Boys to a goalless draw in Argentina.

The Brazilian giants had veteran Cassio to thank after the goalkeeper saved 11 shots on target from the Argentine outfit, reports Xinhua.

Corinthians had just two shots on target and controlled 41% of possession but they progressed by virtue of their 2-1 win in the first leg.

Defensa y Justicia also progressed to the next round after a David Barbona strike fired the 2020 champions to a 1-0 home win over Ecuador’s Emelec. The second-leg result handed the Argentine side a 3-1 advantage on aggregate.

And former Flamengo striker Marinho struck late as Brazil’s Fortaleza advanced with a 1-1 home draw against Paraguayan side Libertad. Matias Espinoza was on the scoresheet for the visitors, who were defeated 2-1 overall.

Libertad saw three of their players...

Rio De Janerio, May 13 (Ians) Francisco Soares scored twice as Botafogo continued their perfect start to Brazil’s Serie A season with a 3-0 home win over Corinthians.

Soares put the hosts ahead by bundling home from close range and he doubled the lead from the penalty spot after goalkeeper Cassio brought down Junior Santos, reports Xinhua.

Carlos Eduardo put the result beyond doubt by finishing a slick attacking move with a precise strike into the bottom left corner.

Botafogo now have 15 points from five games, two points more than second-placed Palmeiras. Corinthians are 16th in the 20-team standings with just one win so far.

In other Brazilian Serie A fixtures on Thursday, Vasco da Gama drew 1-1 at Coritiba and Fortaleza were held to a goalless home draw by Sao Paulo.

–Ians

cs...

William Shakespeare's "The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice," inspired by the Italian story "Un Capitano Moro" by Cinthio (1504 - 1573), was likely first performed around 1603 at the Globe Theater just outside of London. The story follows the titular Venetian military commander and his relationship with Desdemona, the daughter of a senator. Othello and Desdemona are both mature adults, and speak their emotions clearly, unlike Shakespeare's other well-known Veronan youths. One of Othello's ensigns, Iago, announces to the audience that he secretly hates Othello, and aches for his undoing. The term "Moor" is an old English word used, insensitively, to refer to anyone with dark skin, and didn't necessarily refer to any country of origin. The word is fraught and deserves more context than I can provide here.

Because Othello's race is constantly mentioned in the text of the play, many critics see Iago's hate and jealousy of Othello...