Denzel Washington Back to Broadway Next Season

[somethingwicked]

Just watched an interview with Washington on Charlie Rose, where he was promoting his new film FLIGHT. When Rose asked him what he was up to next at the end of the program, Washington said he will be back on Broadway in 2014 in a show directed by Kenny Leon and produced by Scott Rudin (both of whom worked with him on FENCES.) He said that they're still trying to nail down the play, though he admitted that Leon and Rudin have made up their minds about what they want him to do already.

Exciting news. He spoke incredibly passionately about how theater is what is most important to him in his career and, now that his kids are grown up, it's what he really wants to dedicate the rest of his life to.

[dreaming]

I love Denzel on stage. He really has a magnetic presence. I wonder what they'll do. (I love August Wilson but I think another Wilson play would be a boring choice.)

[AC126748]

Personally I found him miscast and unsuccessful in FENCES. It is obvious, though, how passionately he loves theatre, and that he wants to be more than just a film actor who drops in once or twice a decade.

I saw an advance screening of FLIGHT. It's the best performance of his career. It's one of the few times he's actually lost himself in a role. I really think he's going to surprise a lot of people, especially those (like me) who aren't his greatest fans.

[Playbilly]

I'd love for him to create a role rather than be in a revival. Also, it would be interesting for him to be in a romance or comedy since he doesn't do them in film.

[jo]

And no Shakespeare again, please!

His turn as Brutus in JULIUS CAESAR was not particularly successful, especially with the presence of more classically-trained actors in the other roles.

[kidbroadway2]

"it's what he really wants to dedicate the rest of his life to."

I'll believe it when I see it. Methinks he is desperately wanting that 3rd Oscar and wants the votes of everyone he can get. His disrespect for the Tony Awards/Theater community was pretty clear last go around. Still a fantastic actor and cannot wait to see him in Flight.

[Leadingplayer]

He once had a facebook account where he asked for play suggestions....and would discuss the pros and cons of what people would suggest....He's a theatre baby and one of us!!!!

[kidbroadway2]

Really? You sure it wasn't fake?

[Leadingplayer]

It was real he talked about it in interviews when he did Julius Caesar....I may be confused about it being on facebook....It may have just been a website.

[jimmycurry01]

Disrespect for the Tony Award? You mean because he couldn't remember which award ceremony he was at that week? He probably goes to 20 different ceremonies a year. To many actors, especially ones like Washington, that get nominated for awards all the time, they are nothing more than self congratulatory exercises in PR bullsh!t, and they are smart enough to know it. The awards themselves become bathroom decorations or office paperweights, so who really cares if he couldn't remember which award ceremony he was at? It certainly wasn't meant as any disrespect to the American Theatre Wing nor to the theatre community at large.

[dramamama611]

Well, I don't agree that it is just"PR" bull****. But goofing on the name is not a huge deal. Certainly not a sign of disrespect.