Are We Delicious? Presents Aqua Tofana: A Reflective Staged Reading

Something delicious (and a little dangerous) is brewing…

Aqua Tofana, a riveting new production developed in 2025, delving into the life of Giulia Tofana, the enigmatic 17th-century figure behind the notorious poison that bears her name. Set against the backdrop of a society where women’s voices were silenced, this production sheds light on an extraordinary story of resilience, rebellion, and sisterhood.

2026 Tour Cast & Creative
Brandi McBride
Stacey Garbarski
Jessica Kennedy
Mary Wallin
Kat Garcia
Maddie O’Keefe

Directed & Written by Karen Saari
Stage Managed by Isabel Vreeke-Bicoy

We’re redeveloping Aqua Tofana with plans to take it on the road to Fringe Festivals across the Midwest! And we want your help to get us there. You’re invited to a staged reading + fundraising event, where you’ll experience the piece in development and play an active role in shaping its future. This is part performance, part process, and we want to include you!

After the reading, we’ll host a conversation where your feedback helps refine the show before it reaches festival audiences. What resonates? What needs sharpening? What lingers? We want to know!

What to expect:

A staged reading of Aqua Tofana
A behind-the-scenes look at our creative process
A post-show discussion where your voice directly helps shape the touring production

This event is also a fundraiser supporting our artists and helping bring this work to Fringe Festivals across the Midwest. Your presence and your perspective directly impact the version of this show that will travel! We’d love to have you in the room at the very beginning of its journey.

Where: Broom Street Theater - 1119 Williamson Street, Madison WI
When: Saturday June 27th
Time: 7:30 pm CST
Suggested Donation of $20 / Pay What You Can!

Tickets

Be part of the process.
Be part of the tour.
Be part of something… delicious.

#AreWeDelicious#FringeFestival#NewWork#TheaterInProcess#SupportLocalTheater

Director’s Note on Aqua Tofana:

Welcome to 17th century (soon-to-be) Italy, by way of Are We Delicious? and Broom Street Theater! What IS this piece you’re about to see? This is a product of an ensemble of writer/performers trying to honor the legend of Giulia Tofana.

Who was Giulia Tofana? Why is she a legend? Historical records, especially of women, were spotty at best when she was alive. Regard for women and girls was even spottier. They were viewed as property. Girls could be married off as young as 10 or 11 years old. Domestic abuse didn’t have a name and was not only a common expected practice. There was little sanctuary for those born female—or different in any way, not even in the church. (Especially not in the Roman Catholic church of the time.)

Giulia Tofana did provide sanctuary. Details are hard to come by, but there are many accounts of her colorless, undetectable poison. She and her circle of poisoners provided desperate women an escape from their abusers. It is estimated that her Aqua Tofana killed at least 600 men. The rising death rate among otherwise healthy men blended in with plague deaths. But as plague began to subside, and men were dying and leaving surprisingly healthy- looking corpses, Pope Alessandro VII got suspicious.

The women you will meet represent not only Giulia, but the women who turned to poison out of desperation, tired of living in fear. Though they faced harsh punishments, maybe the salvation they provided left them a cleaner slate than those who drank from their cup of vengeance. What better way to share these women’s stories than by six ensemble members contributing as writers and performers? Each under deadline, each considering character motives and history, and each committed to collaboration and community.

-Karen Saari, Director