Magic Theatre's Modern 'Macbeth' Captivates with Bold Staging

Visually raw and cunningly well-conceived, this 95-minute production turns Shakespeare's tragedy into a gripping live stream

Mar. 22, 2026 at 6:52pm by Ben Kaplan

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Magic Theatre's world premiere production of a new modern translation of Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' by playwright Migdalia Cruz, directed by Liam Vincent, pares down the original play to a 95-minute runtime while preserving the core contours and poetry. Set in 1970s New York, the show features standout performances, bold staging, and a hard-edged, claustrophobic set that heightens the unsettling atmosphere.

Why it matters

This 'Macbeth' offers a fresh, contemporary take on the classic Shakespearean tragedy, exploring themes of ambition, manipulation, and the corrupting nature of power through a modern lens. The gender-bending casting and gritty, immersive staging provide a unique and thought-provoking theatrical experience for audiences.

The details

The production features a cast of nine, with Catherine Castellanos playing the title role as a woman. The show's visual design by Carlos-Antonio Aceves and Justin Partier, including a set of gray platforms, steel rails, and a curved staircase, creates a hard-edged, claustrophobic atmosphere. Director Liam Vincent utilizes every inch of the playing space, including offstage areas, to heighten the sense of a state unraveling. The superb sound design by Matt Stines further enhances the unsettling mood, with traffic, sirens, and a ringing pay phone adding to the overall menacing atmosphere.

  • The production opened in San Francisco on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
  • It will run through April 5, 2026.

The players

Migdalia Cruz

The playwright who created this new modern translation of Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'.

Liam Vincent

The director of this production of 'Macbeth' at Magic Theatre.

Catherine Castellanos

The actress who portrays the title role of Macbeth, with the character being reimagined as a woman.

Sarah Nina Hayon

The actress who delivers a standout performance as a seductively predatory Lady Macbeth.

Nora El Samahy

The actress who brings a noble, quietly urgent presence to the role of Macbeth's betrayed friend Banquo.

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What they’re saying

“Never mind that the title character is performed as and by a woman (Catherine Castellanos), or that the language is shot through with contemporary speech. The contours and poetry of the original play, from the creepy Weird Sisters to its famous speeches and cascades of manipulation and murder are largely preserved.”

— Steven Winn

“When she processes downstage with a candle and pleads to some mad higher power, 'Unsex me,' you feel in Hayon's beady delivery what she means: a moral shattering and license to kill. The short speech is doubly fascinating in a gender-tumbling production with a female Macbeth.”

— Steven Winn

“Castellanos plays Macbeth as a kind of ticking clock, pacing the stage, stopping to peck a few nervous kisses on her distracted wife and watching semi-detached as things veer out of control. But until very late in the going, when she arms herself and goes off the rails in a spasm of violence, the performance remains in the same, oddly remote emotional groove.”

— Steven Winn

What’s next

The production of 'Macbeth' at Magic Theatre will continue its run through April 5, 2026.

The takeaway

This bold and visually striking production of 'Macbeth' at Magic Theatre offers a fresh, modern interpretation of Shakespeare's classic tragedy, exploring timeless themes of power, ambition, and the corrupting nature of violence through a contemporary lens. The standout performances, immersive staging, and unsettling atmosphere create a captivating theatrical experience that challenges and engages audiences.