7 / 10
There is much to love, and much to cheer for, in Giulia: The Poison Queen of Palermo, down to its fantastic “encore” song. (I am not normally a fan of the new trend of “post-credits” scenes in plays, but this one does orient the audience to walk out and feel inspired toward collective action–to add their drops of water to that river.) One more polish, and I’d cheer to see it on Broadway.
5 / 10
I lay the blame at Zimmerman’s feet only because the muchness of the first-timer Nettles’ material feels so pure, so earnestly over-delivered to a collaborator trusted to boil things down to their perfect essence. No ingredients in Giulia’s poison are bad so much as toxically undiluted, extending to the production elements. Ana Kuzmanić’s costumes are period-appropriate but samey, making it difficult to individualize the many, many side characters. T.J. Gerckens’ lighting is Catholically moody, but wasted on Daniel Ostling’s scenic design, which is clever but wasted on itself. The set’s main feature is a large, three-doored armoire that varies as archways, church confessionals, closet spaces and apothecary storage. It’s a stunning invention, endlessly creative, but Zimmerman stations it stage-right and blocks the vast majority of the action in the constrictive, repetitive downstage right—even with a gloriously shadowy stairwell that dies as a largely unused playing area.
PAC NYC has shared a new performance video featuring Didi Romero and the Giulia ensemble performing 'Always Get What I Want,' a song written by Jennifer Nettles for GIULIA: THE POISON QUEEN OF PALERMO. Watch the performance here!
The Poison Queen has taken her throne at Perelman Performing Arts Center! The world premiere production of Giulia: The Poison Queen of Palermo is now open off-Broadway, where it will run through Sunday, August 2. Watch a clip of Nettles performing 'The River' in this video.
The Poison Queen has taken her throne at Perelman Performing Arts Center! The world premiere production of Giulia: The Poison Queen of Palermo is now open off Broadway, where it will run through Sunday, August 2. Watch highlights of the company in action in this video!
'She just kept haunting me and haunting me, this story... ' The woman doing the haunting is none other than Giulia: The Poison Queen of Palermo, brought to life onstage by the one and only Jennifer Nettles. Her world premiere musical is now running at Perelman Performing Arts Center, where it continues through Sunday August 2. The new musical features book, music and lyrics by Nettles, direction by Mary Zimmerman, and choreography by Austin Mccormick. Watch in this video as Nettles discusses the evolution of her new musical.
It has been over twenty years since Mary Zimmerman directed a show off or on Broadway. In our new interview, she discusses her return off-Broadway, directing Jennifer Nettles’ Giulia: The Poison Queen of Palermo.
Now running at Perelman Performing Arts Center is the world premiere production of Giulia: The Poison Queen of Palermo, which will now conclude performances on Sunday August 2. The new musical features book, music and lyrics by Jennifer Nettles, direction by Mary Zimmerman, and choreography by Austin Mccormick. Check out photos from opening night here!
Perelman Performing Arts Center's world premiere production of Giulia: The Poison Queen of Palermo just opened! The production, which will now conclude performances on Sunday August 2, features book, music and lyrics by Jennifer Nettles, direction by Mary Zimmerman, and choreography by Austin Mccormick. Giulia: The Poison Queen of Palermo is produced by special arrangement with Adam Zotovich. Let's see what the critics have to say...
Perelman Performing Arts Center's world premiere production of Giulia: The Poison Queen of Palermo has extended. The musical features book, music and lyrics by Jennifer Nettles, and direction by Mary Zimmerman.
You can now get a first look at production photos of the world premiere of Giulia: The Poison Queen of Palermo, written by and starring Grammy Award winner Jennifer Nettles.
About to world premiere Jennifer Nettles’ new musical, Giulia: The Poison Queen of Palermo, Andrew Kober reflects on the rehearsal process, his 10 Broadway shows starting with the beloved Hair revival, and performing in five musical productions—from The Queen of Versailles to The Wild Party—in one NYC season.
You can now get a first look inside rehearsals for the world premiere of Giulia: The Poison Queen of Palermo, written by and starring Grammy Award winner Jennifer Nettles.
You can now get a sneak peek of Giulia: The Poison Queen of Palermo, coming this summer at PAC NYC, as the show's creator Jennifer Nettles sings 'Split Second Life Changing Moment'.
The complete cast and creative team has been revealed for Perelman Performing Arts Center's upcoming world premiere production of Giulia: The Poison Queen of Palermo with book, music and lyrics by Jennifer Nettles.
You can now get a first look at Jennifer Nettlees in the poster art for Giulia: The Poison Queen of Palermo, coming to PAC NYC. The world premiere musical is inspired by a true story.
Perelman Performing Arts Center has revealed a lineup of new programs, artists, and dates for the 2025-2026 season. Learn more about the season and see how to purchase tickets!
