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Picnic at Hanging Rock Musical Opens Off-Broadway to Mixed Early Reviews

Early notices highlight immersive design and atmosphere alongside concerns over the score’s cohesion.

Overview

  • The Off-Broadway run began previews on December 16, opened December 18 at Greenwich House Theatre, and is scheduled through January 17, 2026.
  • The adaptation features a book and lyrics by Hilary Bell, music and arrangements by Greta Gertler Gold, direction by Portia Krieger, and choreography by Mayte Natalio.
  • TheaterMania’s review praises the uncanny mood and stagecraft but critiques similar-sounding songs and a second act that loses momentum.
  • The production emphasizes diverse female voices and includes a First Nations Australian perspective, with Nick Harvey-Doyle credited as First Nations dramaturg.
  • Set in 1900, the story follows schoolgirls whose Valentine’s Day picnic to Hanging Rock leads to the unexplained disappearance of three classmates.