REVIEW: Multigenerational Murder Limbo: The World Premiere of The Posthumous Trial of Giulia Tofana Now Playing Through April 5, 2026

 ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

Larkspur Productions Opens World Premiere of
The Posthumous Trial of Giulia Tofana
By Gwyneth Forsythe
Directed by Cheryl Snodgrass
March 20th - April 5th at The Den Theatre

Sydney Genco in The Posthumous Trial of Giulia Tofana

Photo by August Holiday Photography

REVIEW

By Bonnie Kenaz-Mara

As I pass the bottled water aisle I see Acqua Panna and Aquafina, and my mind turns to Aqua Tofana, the poison rumored to kill 600 men in 17th-century Italy. Was the herbalist and healer, Giulia Tofana, a monster serial killer, or a champion of battered women? How many did she save with her death-giving elixir? Who tells the story? It was fascinating to learn more about Giulia Tofana, trained by a mother who was murdered as a witch, who passed along her skills to her daughter who met the same fate.

You can hear the story straight from Giulia Tofana, from beyond the grave, through Sydney Genco, now through Sunday, April 5, 2026. We meet Tofana centuries after her death, still stuck in purgatory, as she's wracked with guilt for her daughter's fate, though clear of conscience for the women she freed from abusive men. 

Murderer. Witch. Savior. Executed in 1659 for the murder of 600 men. That's how history remembers Giulia Tofana, the infamous creator of the Aqua Tofana poison. This is her story straight from Purgatory, thanks to Playwright, Gwyneth Forsythe. We adore the way this trio of women, Playwright: Gwyneth Forsythe, Director: Cheryl Snodgrass, and Cast: Sydney Genco (Giulia Tofana) humanize the tragic tale of another trio of women. This show reframes history and brings up important questions as relevant today as they were in the 1600s. 

Why have we demonized and killed our healers for centuries? Why do men still abuse and murder women with few consequences? This production is sadly still all too timely. In our current Epstein scandle era, powerful men still abuse women and children with impunity and those who help them or speak out often bear consequences far greater than the abusers. Where are our twenty first century Tofanas when we need them? This production is a fascinating slice of history, and these three generations of badass healers and protectors are best not forgotten. 

Anyone who adores Chicago's infamous queens of camp, Hell in a Handbag Productions, is likely familiar with both Sydney Genco (performer & makeup artist) and Cheryl Snodgrass (director). But you've never seen this power duo team up like this. There's no drag here or over the top parody. Genco gives us a quiet, candle lit reckoning for a woman who gave her life to save abused women, who's been stuck in limbo for centuries, because she can't make peace with the fate her daughter freely chose. This heart wrenching piece is a must see. 

Head on over to The Den Theatre for some serious talk from a healer and helper of battered women from beyond the grave. Don't miss this macabre masterpiece. ChiIL Live Shows on our radar. Recommended. Three out of four stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Bonnie is a Chicago based writer, theatre critic, photographer, artist, and Mama to 2 amazing adults. She owns two websites where she publishes frequently: ChiILLiveShows.com (adult) & ChiILMama.com (family friendly).

Larkspur Productions is pleased to announce the world premiere of The Posthumous Trial of Giulia Tofana. Directed by Cheryl Snodgrass, The Posthumous Trial of Giulia Tofana will play March 20th - April 5th at The Den Theatre, 1331 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago IL.

Tickets are on sale at https://thedentheatre.com/performances/2026/3/20/the-posthumous-trial-of-giulia-tofana-the-den-theatre-comedy-club-chicago

This one person show is performed by Sydney Genco. 

Comments playwright Gwyneth Forsythe: In a time when bodily autonomy and human rights are being actively taken away and the very idea of justice seems out of reach, stories from the past, like Giulia Tofana’s, are more important than ever. We cannot wait to share hers with you.

The production team includes Matthew York (Scenic Designer), Kate Kamphausen (Costume Designer), Garrett Bell (Lighting Designer), DJ Douglass (Sound Designer), Tina Haglund-Spitza (Props Designer), Tom Daniel (Scenic Carpenter), Henry Bender (Master Electrician) and Drew Donnelly (Technical Director).

PRODUCTION DETAILS:

Title: The Posthumous Trial of Giulia Tofana

Playwright: Gwyneth Forsythe

Director: Cheryl Snodgrass

Cast: Sydney Genco (Giulia Tofana)

Location: The Den Theatre, 1331 N Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60622

Regular run: March 20 – Sunday, April 5, 2026

Curtain Times: Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm. Sunday, April 5th at 3pm. Please note: there will be an added performance on Monday, March 30th @ 8pm (Industry Night).

Tickets: General admission: $25. https://thedentheatre.com/performances/2026/3/20/the-posthumous-trial-of-giulia-tofana-the-den-theatre-comedy-club-chicago

About the Artists:

Gwyneth Forsythe (Playwright) is a writer, educator and theatre artist who splits her time between Iowa City and Chicago. She received two BAs (Theatre Arts and History) from the University of Iowa and her MFA in Writing for the Screen and Stage from Northwestern University, where she was awarded the Krevoy Screenwriting Prize. Gwyneth has worked as a freelance writer, taught for the Chicago City Colleges, and was a 2024 semi-finalist for the Eugene O'Neill Center's National Playwrights Conference. Last summer, her work was featured in the Heretic Theatre Festival produced by RJ Theatre Company in New York City. In the fall, she directed and produced “Ghosts on the Radio Vol. II: A Haunted Audio Anthology” for the Iowa Youth Writing Project and assistant-directed Global Express for the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa. She has taught and developed writing courses in playwriting, screenwriting, horror, humor, and creative non-fiction for writers worldwide of all ages and experience levels.

Cheryl Snodgrass (Director) is passionate about directing new works. She is an alumni ensemble member of Hell in a Handbag where she’s directed multiple premieres including The Drag Seed, which performed at the famous LaMama Theatre in NYC. Other Handbag shows include The Birds, Scary Town, L’Imitation of Life, and Die, Mommie! Die! Cheryl has worked extensively as a visiting artist at Mill Mountain Theatre and Studio Roanoke (Roanoke, VA). She has also directed for a number of Chicago companies that include Sweetback, Glass Apple, Trap Door, The Foundlings, Tellin’ Tales, Jonny Staxx Presents, and Filet of Solo. Most recently, Cheryl directed John Cariani’s (playwright of Almost, Maine) new play Darker the Night Brighter the Stars for Penobscot Theatre in Bangor, ME and is very excited to be included in the published version as a premiere production.

World Premiere of The Posthumous Trial of Giulia Tofana March 20th - April 5th at The Den Theatre

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

Larkspur Productions Opens World Premiere of
The Posthumous Trial of Giulia Tofana
By Gwyneth Forsythe
Directed by Cheryl Snodgrass
March 20th - April 5th at The Den Theatre

Larkspur Productions is pleased to announce the world premiere of The Posthumous Trial of Giulia Tofana. Directed by Cheryl Snodgrass, The Posthumous Trial of Giulia Tofana will play March 20th - April 5th at The Den Theatre, 1331 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago IL.

Tickets are on sale at https://thedentheatre.com/performances/2026/3/20/the-posthumous-trial-of-giulia-tofana-the-den-theatre-comedy-club-chicago

Murderer. Witch. Savior. Executed in 1659 for the murder of 600 men. That's how history remembers Giulia Tofana, the infamous creator of the Aqua Tofana poison. This is her story straight from Purgatory.

This one person show is performed by Sydney Genco. 

Comments playwright Gwyneth Forsythe: In a time when bodily autonomy and human rights are being actively taken away and the very idea of justice seems out of reach, stories from the past, like Giulia Tofana’s, are more important than ever. We cannot wait to share hers with you.

The production team includes Matthew York (Scenic Designer), Kate Kamphausen (Costume Designer), Garrett Bell (Lighting Designer), DJ Douglass (Sound Designer), Tina Haglund-Spitza (Props Designer), Tom Daniel (Scenic Carpenter), Henry Bender (Master Electrician) and Drew Donnelly (Technical Director).

PRODUCTION DETAILS:

Title: The Posthumous Trial of Giulia Tofana

Playwright: Gwyneth Forsythe

Director: Cheryl Snodgrass

Cast: Sydney Genco (Giulia Tofana)

Location: The Den Theatre, 1331 N Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60622

Regular run: March 20 – Sunday, April 5, 2026

Curtain Times: Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm. Sunday, April 5th at 3pm. Please note: there will be an added performance on Monday, March 30th @ 8pm (Industry Night).

Tickets: General admission: $25. https://thedentheatre.com/performances/2026/3/20/the-posthumous-trial-of-giulia-tofana-the-den-theatre-comedy-club-chicago

About the Artists:

Gwyneth Forsythe (Playwright) is a writer, educator and theatre artist who splits her time between Iowa City and Chicago. She received two BAs (Theatre Arts and History) from the University of Iowa and her MFA in Writing for the Screen and Stage from Northwestern University, where she was awarded the Krevoy Screenwriting Prize. Gwyneth has worked as a freelance writer, taught for the Chicago City Colleges, and was a 2024 semi-finalist for the Eugene O'Neill Center's National Playwrights Conference. Last summer, her work was featured in the Heretic Theatre Festival produced by RJ Theatre Company in New York City. In the fall, she directed and produced “Ghosts on the Radio Vol. II: A Haunted Audio Anthology” for the Iowa Youth Writing Project and assistant-directed Global Express for the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa. She has taught and developed writing courses in playwriting, screenwriting, horror, humor, and creative non-fiction for writers worldwide of all ages and experience levels.

Cheryl Snodgrass (Director) is passionate about directing new works. She is an alumni ensemble member of Hell in a Handbag where she’s directed multiple premieres including The Drag Seed, which performed at the famous LaMama Theatre in NYC. Other Handbag shows include The Birds, Scary Town, L’Imitation of Life, and Die, Mommie! Die! Cheryl has worked extensively as a visiting artist at Mill Mountain Theatre and Studio Roanoke (Roanoke, VA). She has also directed for a number of Chicago companies that include Sweetback, Glass Apple, Trap Door, The Foundlings, Tellin’ Tales, Jonny Staxx Presents, and Filet of Solo. Most recently, Cheryl directed John Cariani’s (playwright of Almost, Maine) new play Darker the Night Brighter the Stars for Penobscot Theatre in Bangor, ME and is very excited to be included in the published version as a premiere production.