(AURN News) — On Oct. 19, 1943, Paul Robeson made history starring in William Shakespeare’s “Othello” at the Shubert Theatre in New York City.
Robeson played Othello, a military commander whose marriage becomes the target of a plot by Iago. Margaret Webster directed the production, which was presented by the Theatre Guild.
Robeson became the first Black actor to portray Othello on Broadway, performing opposite a largely white cast at a time when racial segregation shaped American theater and public life.
The production was first staged in Cambridge, Mass., in 1942 before reaching Broadway the following year. It ran for 296 performances, closing on July 1, 1944. The production remains the longest-running Shakespeare play in Broadway history.
Robeson later toured the country with the production, bringing his portrayal of Othello to audiences far beyond New York.
