Overview
- The world premiere of Giulia: The Poison Queen of Palermo opened at the Perelman Performing Arts Center on Friday and runs through August 2.
- Jennifer Nettles wrote the book, music and lyrics and stars in the title role, a creative profile reviewers compared to other creator‑performers.
- Critics widely praised Mary Zimmerman’s visually rich direction and the production’s scenic, costume and lighting design for giving the piece strong theatrical flair.
- Reviewers singled out a percussion‑forward, tuneful score but criticized dense orchestrations and an overlong runtime of about two hours and forty minutes.
- Early reviews frame the show as a work in progress with clear commercial potential and no official Broadway transfer announced, so further cuts and reworking are likely before any move uptown.