Today is Sunday, and this week’s Report features quick takes on Picnic at Hanging Rock, Tatianna Córdoba, and my trip to Boston; a preview of next Sunday’s Report; a quote of the week; for your consideration…; select press announcements from the past week; and a list of the upcoming week’s previews and openings.

---

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“There is a traditionally accepted legend that the theatre is an invalid, fabulous because in spite of its multiple infirmities it continues to cling stubbornly to life. To us, it seems a far more fabulous phenomenon that in spite of the theatre’s obvious vigor so many people cling stubbornly to the belief that it is dying.” -Oscar Hammerstein II and Richard Rodgers, authors of Carousel (1945), The King and I (1951), and Oklahoma! (1943)

---

PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK AT GREENWICH HOUSE THEATER

Picnic at Hanging Rock, a new musical based on the Joan Lindsay novel, is currently playing a limited Off-Broadway engagement at Greenwich House Theater. It has a book and lyrics by Hilary Bell, music by Greta Gertler Gold, and direction by Portia Krieger, and it is terrible, essentially from beginning to end. That said, the music is not entirely without interest, specifically when taken independently, separate and apart from the story it is supposed to be serving, and neither are the arrangements and orchestrations, by Adam Gold, Greta Gertler Gold, and Rob Jost, entirely without interest.

One of the individuals caught up in this stupefyingly amateur affair is Tatianna Córdoba, a young talent who has, in her voice, in her expression, in her presence, in her erect and activated posture, in her glorious arms, the stuff of stage magic, of stardom. This was evident in her performance earlier this year in Real Women Have Curves, and it is evident here, where she is completely wasted. What Córdoba needs is a role and a director. I pray that she gets them, because she could be, with guided growth, a tornadic force.

---

ON THE ROAD TO BOSTON

I am currently on the road to Boston to see the world premiere of Wonder. The new musical is based on the novel by R.J. Palacio and the Lionsgate and Mandeville film, and it is being directed by Taibi Magar, who sits high atop my watch list. I hope that the American Repertory Theater production will reveal the makings of something magical. Wonder will be my penultimate show of the year, and Ragtime will be my last. But my reviews of these two offerings will not appear in next Sunday’s Report.

---

NEXT SUNDAY

On January 4, I will be publishing a special year-end issue of the Report. It will feature my favorite musicals, my favorite moments (from other musicals), my favorite performances, artistic takeaways, and more.

---

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION…

An original Disney revue inspired by the 1940s episodic, non-narrative animated feature films Fun and Fancy Free, Make Mine Music, and Melody Time, perhaps with songs and scenes by an assortment of contemporary writers, and perhaps with direction by Alex Timbers.

---

PRESS ANNOUNCEMENTS

Here is a list of select press announcements from the past week. Each headline is clickable for more information.

• New Musical Three Months Later to Hold L.A. Presentation Starring Kristen Bell
• Millennials Are Killing Musicals Sets Industry Reading Ahead of 2026 World Premiere

---

PREVIEWS AND OPENINGS

Here is a list of the new musicals and revivals either opening or beginning previews during the upcoming week, specifically on Broadway and Off-Broadway. It contains, as well, select new musicals beginning performances regionally, and select new musicals and revivals beginning performances in New York City. Each title is clickable for more information.

Monday, December 29

Tuesday, December 30

Wednesday, December 31

Thursday, January 1

Friday, January 2

Saturday, January 3

Sunday, January 4

Publicity photo for the American Repertory Theater production of Wonder by Nile Scott Studios.