Synopsis: What began as a single act of self-defense ripples through Palermo, creating a cascade of casualties and inspiring a secret sisterhood. But the path to safety is never safe. Can Giulia Tofana save them all without losing herself?
Artistic Statement:
I am thrilled to be bringing the world premiere of Guilia: The Poison Queen of Palermo to PAC NYC. I was drawn to the musical by writer and composer Jennifer Nettles’ connection to Giulia Tofana and her story. Like Giulia, Jennifer was raised in a small rural community and in the Christian church, and she understands the nuanced forces of insular communities and how they shape a person. Additionally, the role of Giulia is written to be a 50+ year-old woman, which is somewhat unique in the musical theater world where there are few fully-developed leading roles for older women.
Guilia’s use of a contemporary idiom to tell a period story that has resonances with the current American socio-political moment makes the show an important addition to the American theatrical canon. The story of Giulia Tofana dramatizes one of the first examples of the collusion of a male-dominated church and a male-dominated state to bring down a female protagonist; this was a new story in terms of its historical moment, but the contemporary music, diction of characters, and design of the show highlight the long bridge of patriarchy and sexism that links Giulia’s 17th century Italy to 2025 America. This piece attempts to create that bridge by showing how the women of Giulia’s town use the only tools at their disposal – medicinal knowledge and female kinship – to band together to fight against patriarchy, oppression, and abuse. — Bill Rauch, PAC NYC Artistic Director