The world premiere of Octet, the new musical from Tony-nominated composer Dave Malloy (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812) and director Annie Tippe, ends its Off-Broadway run June 30. The Signature Theatre production, which began previews April 30, extended its limited engagement three times.
Featuring a score for an a cappella chamber choir and a libretto inspired by Internet comment boards, scientific debates, religious texts, and Sufi poetry, Octet explores addiction and nihilism within the messy context of 21st-century technology.
The new musical, which officially opened May 19, had previously been extended through June 16 and then again June 23.
Tippe directs a cast made up of Adam Bashian (The Phantom of the Opera) as Jim, Kim Blanck (Alice by Heart) as Karly, Starr Busby (Off-Broadway debut) as Paula, Alex Gibson (SpongeBob SquarePants) as Peter, Justin Gregory Lopez (Jesus Christ Superstar Live) as Toby, J.D. Mollison (X: Or, Betty Shabazz v. the Nation) as Marvin, Margo Seibert (In Transit) as Jessica, and Kuhoo Verma (The Big Sick) as Velma. The company also includes Jonathan Christopher and Nicole Weiss.
The creative team is made up of Or Matias (music supervision and music direction), Amy Rubin and Brittany Vasta (scenic design), Brenda Abbandandolo (costume design), Christopher Bowser (lighting design), and Hidenori Nakajo (sound design). The production stage manager is Jhanaë Bonnick, and casting is by Caparelliotis.
Octet is the first production in Malloy’s Signature Residency, which will include three productions over the course of five years. He is currently at work on a musical adaptation of Moby-Dick with The Great Comet collaborator Rachel Chavkin. The show will make its world premiere at the American Repertory Theater in Massachusetts later this year.
