Variety April 4, 1999 “Nicely produced…” “As co-writer and helmer, Lomardo should be commended…” “…like Louis Malle’s (VANYA ON 42nd STREET), it makes good use of a contempo New York setting to breathe new life into a classic play.” “Tech credits are good, particularly Leland Krane’s clean lensing and Donna Stern’s sharp editing, which makes the transitions between the multiple layers as fluent as possible.”
– Emanuel Levy The Hollywood Reporter June 2, 1999
Synopsis
Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” has had many incarnations in theater and film. Greg Lombardo’s “Macbeth in Manhattan” takes the genre to a whole new level. Max and Claudia are aspiring professional actors and real life lovers. When the opportunity comes to try out for Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in a New York production, they thoroughly prepare themselves for auditions. Claudia easily snares the female lead, but Max is passed over for William Reeves, an actor of obvious star quality, good looks and considerable arrogance.
Max is cast in the role of runner-up Macduff. Thus begins a tale of power, seduction, murder and revenge — a skillful weaving of the tragic and tongue-in-cheek — where the lives of the actors behind the scenes begin to mirror the on-stage action of the Macbeth play. Transitioning back and forth from 11th century Scotland to present day New York, “Macbeth in Manhattan” creates a web of sexual intrigue and revenge that has both comic and tragic consequences. The witches of the Macbeth play are beautiful young sirens who play similar roles both on and off stage. The Director is the ringmaster of this drama, and the Chorus — a typical New York hipster — becomes the film’s interpreter of events both in the play and among the actors. William’s offstage seduction and eventual rejection of Claudia, the machinations of the witches and Max’s humiliation before the world set into play a chain of events which give credence to the curse that is said to accompany the Macbeth play. The film’s final scene echoes the Macbeth play, but with a twist that is sure to capture the imagination of the film audience.
Reviews
“…the film displays intelligence and imagination, capturing its milieu with amusing, insightful accuracy.”
“The young, attractive cast handles its chores capably, whether playing their modern or Shakespearian characters, and Reuben is effective in conveying Claudia’s inner turmoil. Best of all is John Glover, delivering one of his usual, witty sly performances as the manipulative director.”
– Frank Scheck TNT’S “Rough Cut” April 12, 1999
“Like all great adaptations of MACBETH, you can’t wash your hands of this film’s wry humor and pleasing plot twists. Although many theatres have brought Shakespeare to New York, director Greg Lombardo manages to give the bard a home and a makeover. I loved it! MACBETH IN MANHATTAN will only leave viewers with guilty pleasure. Wow!”
-Chad Damian Film Threat April 19, 1999
“Whereas SHAKEAPEARE IN LOVE is a light-hearted period romantic comedy, MACBETH IN MANHATTAN is a far funkier, urban re-tooling of the brother Bill’s gloomy timeless classic.” “…snappy writing, talented cast and rich, colorful look.” – Merle Bertrand Long Island Voice May 13-19, 1999 “A clever merging of two stories. The two tales are tightly woven, framed with a crisp city skyline and frenzied cab scenes shown in sped-up time.”
– Beth Greenfield
Cast & Crew
- Claudia: Gloria Reuben Max
- Macduff: David Lansbury William
- Macbeth: Nick Gregory Richard
- Director: John Glover
- Chorus: Harold Perrineau
- Patty: Amelia Campbell Derek
- Duncan: Christopher McCann Samantha
- 1st Witch: Natalie Zea Michelle
- 2nd Witch: Carolyn Neff Wendy
- 3rd Witch: Tertia Lynch Michael
- Malcolm: Jordan Bridges Robert
- Ross: Michael Stuhlbarg Joe
- Banquo: John Elsen John
- Murderer #1: Taro Alexander Jim
- Murderer #2: Alan Pottinger Lenny
- Servant: Kevin Sussman
- Reporter: Lisa G.
Filmmakers:
- Director: Greg Lombardo
- Producers: Joe Gagan, Victoria Lang, Pier Paolo Piccoli
- Executive Producers: Richard Hegner, Betty Hegner, Line Producer, George Paaswell
- Screenplay: Joe Gagen, Greg Lombardo
- Director of Photography: Leland Krane
- Music: John Hegner
- Editor: Donna Stern
- Casting Director: Adrienne Stern
- Production Supervisor: Kaluska Poventud
- 1st Assistant Director: Marco Londoner
- 2nd Assistant Director: Peter Thorell
- Production Manager / Coordinator: Sophia Lin
- Art Director: Shelley Amoroso
- Location Manager: Kim Marie Cicione
- First Assistant Camera: Jill Cowburn
- Second Assistant Camera: Jung-Min Yoon
- Additional Second AC’s: Arsenio Assin, Neil Orlowski
- Still Photographer: Tom Concordia
- Script Supervisor: Nancy Kaimowitz
- Additional Continuity: Stacey Miller
- Production Sound Mixer: Louis Frederic Edwards
- Boom Operator: Adam David
- Makeup and Hair Supervisor: Merc Arceneaux
- Assistant Makeup / Hair: Rachel Allen
- Additional Makeup: Roxanne Monzano
- Wardrobe Supervisor: Mia Morgan
- Wardrobe Intern: Tyshawn Henry Gaffer, Christopher Weck
- Best Boy Electric: Elizabeth Casinelli
- Third Electrics: Alan Smith, Alexa O’Brien
- Rigging Gaffer: Jay Hillman
- Key Grip: Ted LeHane
- Best Boy Grip: Vincent Mangano
- Third Grip: Benjaminj D’Andrea
- Additional Grips: Seamus Tierney, Bill Scalazitti, Hugo Bonilla, Pat Heffernan, Russell Mack, Mark Schmidt-Ross, Todd Csernecky
- Grip PA: Bryan Wachtel
- Stunt Coordinator: Manny Siverio
- Sword Fight Assistance: Christopher Burns
- Property Master: Cristina Garneret
- Assistant Props: Kara Gagan Regina
- Park Set Dressers: Karla Gomez, Kevin Jefferies, Melissa Paradis, Tim Smith, Rae Slater, Charge Scenic Jason F. Murphree
- Scenic Artist: Leona Pincus
- Buyer / Shopper: Heather Cotrell
- Art Department Coordinator: Audra Coulthrust
- Art Department Intern: Caitlin Olson
- Assistant Coordinator: Gary Cozad
- Second Second AD: Megan Lombardo
- Production Assistants: Matt Byrne, Matthew Caton, Greg James, Shari Sambursky, Kevin Thigpen, Amanda Hughes, Andrew Hagerty, Robert Porta
- Assistant to the Director: Christopher Cullen
- Assistant to the Producer: Vera Gagen
- Production Interns: Stephen Chiang, James Cohen, Ben Zobel, Adam Hyatt
- Location Assistants: Melissa Ettere, Jane Herships, Andreas Lascaris
- Parking Coordinator: Maurice Cabrera
- Parking PAs: Percy Anderson, Marcus Hawkins
- Publicity: Keith Sherman & Associates
- Unit Publicist: Ed James
- Catering by: T&A Catering
- Craft Service Extraordinaire: Nina O’Brien
- Post Production Supervisor: Yael Melamede
- Assistant Post Production Supervisor: Shelley Bacom
- Extras Casting: Gus Waite, Creative Acting Co.
- Assistant Editors: Liz Heeden, Brian Wilson
- Payroll: Axium Entertainment Group
