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Nettles' Poison Queen: Less Sweeney, More Sermon
11 Jul
Summary
- Jennifer Nettles' new musical 'Giulia' lacks a comedic foil like Sweeney Todd's Mrs. Lovett.
- The show's protagonist, Giulia, is portrayed as a self-righteous serial killer.
- Critics note that poison is a less theatrical murder method than throat-slitting.
Jennifer Nettles' new musical, 'Giulia: The Poison Queen of Palermo,' has premiered at PAC NYC, featuring Nettles in the title role, alongside her songwriting and book-writing contributions. The show draws comparisons to 'Sweeney Todd' due to its serial killer protagonist, Giulia Tofana, a historical figure from the 17th century who poisoned men deemed abusive. However, unlike Sweeney Todd's accomplice, Mrs. Lovett, Giulia lacks a character to inject levity into the dark proceedings.
Critics observe that 'Giulia' struggles with its self-righteous tone, with the protagonist embodying a feminist manifesto rather than a complex character. The musical's reliance on poison as a method of murder is also noted as less theatrical than the throat-slitting seen in 'Sweeney Todd.' While Nettles' score contains some promising songs, they are reportedly overwhelmed by excessive orchestrations.
Despite these criticisms, the production's physical staging, directed by Mary Zimmerman, is praised for its restrained elegance and effective use of scenic design. However, the overall impact of 'Giulia' is deemed less compelling than 'Sweeney Todd,' with the show's serious themes and heavy-handed messaging overshadowing its potential.
