Crow’s Theatre, Soulpepper Theatre and The Musical Stage Company have teamed up to present American playwright Dave Malloy’s OCTET. The Canadian premiere co-production is an original and ingenious work that takes choral performance and turns it into theatre.
Dave Malloy is also responsible for the hit Natasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812, directed by Chris Abraham for Mirvish.
OCTET by Dave Malloy
With music, lyrics, book, and vocal arrangements by Dave Malloy, the production is directed by Chris Abraham, with music direction by Ryan deSouza, and choreography by Cameron Carver. The cast includes Hailey Gillis (Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812/Crow’s and Musical Stage Company), Damien Atkins (De Profundis: Oscar Wilde in Jail/Soulpepper), Alicia Ault (Dragon’s Tale/Tapestry Opera), Andrew Broderick (Choir Boy /Canadian Stage), Ben Carlson (The Master Plan, Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812/Crow’s and Musical Stage Company), Zorana Sadiq (Comfort Food/Crow’s), Jaqueline Thair (Gypsy/Shaw Festival), and Giles Tomkins (The Cunning Little Vixen/COC).
OCTET is an a cappella chamber musical for eight voices. It’s set at a 12-step meeting with mysterious parameters, and juxtaposes heavenly choral harmonies with sharp-edged insight.
The approach is distinctly original, and the work blends humour and intimate moments in a look at how we navigate the contemporary landscape, where we occupy both online and offline identities. Technology takes on a variety of roles, including magnifying issues that would otherwise pass under the radar, and complicating our lives — even as we search for a sense of connection.
“Since I first discovered Dave Malloy’s work, I have continued to be nothing less than amazed by how unique, layered, and ultimately soul-stirring his work is — there is truly no one in the world doing anything close to what he does,” comments Crow’s Theatre Artistic Director Chris Abraham in a statement.
“Whereas Natasha and Pierre looks back to the 19th-century and is this big, Baroque confection, OCTET lenses in on one of the most fundamental and complex issues of our lives right now. Like all Dave Malloy musicals, OCTET is irreverent, it is at times wildly funny, it might make you cry, it will most definitely make you feel something. I am absolutely thrilled to have these continued opportunities to give Dave Malloy’s work a home in Toronto.”
The piece, in keeping with Malloy’s style, incorporates cultural references to everything from Candy Crush to QAnon. The playwright cites sources as disparate as Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Jon Ronson’s So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed, A Chorus Line, Blade Runner, World of Warcraft, Radiohead’s OK Computer, and Philip Glass’s Einstein on the Beach. He was also influenced by extended vocal experiments by composers Meredith Monk and Toby Twining. The lyrics incorporate snippets of text from gaming forums, social media feeds, and online conspiracy communities.
Malloy’s OCTET and Lucy Kirkwood’s THE WELKIN launch the inaugural year of the landmark strategic partnership between Crow’s Theatre and Soulpepper Theatre with a powerhouse double bill. Soulpepper’s outgoing Artistic Director, Weyni Mengesha directs THE WELKIN.
Performance Details
Performances take place September 9 to October 12 in the Guloien Theatre, the mainstage space at the Crow’s Theatre centre. Opening night is September 17.
OCTET runs Tuesday to Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
- Find tickets and show details [HERE].
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