"Thought-provoking [and] soul-stirring...The production bursts at the seams with themes relating to religion, mysticism, philosophy, science, and human nature. And most of it is addressed through lush solo and eight-part harmonic choral performances jam-packed with dense and rapid-fire verbiage, which this cast manages brilliantly."
​- The Boston Globe

DIRECTED BY JOSH SHORT
MUSIC DIRECTION BY MILLY MASSEY
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RHODE ISLAND PREMIERE
DECEMBER 4 - 21

From the celebrated author of Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 comes a hauntingly original new musical about the search for human connection in the digital age. Featuring rich harmonies and intricate vocal arrangements, Octet finds compelling human drama in our middle-of-the-night anxieties about the impact of technology on the nature of our relationships. Winner of the 2020 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding New Musical, Dave Malloy’s new musical offers a hilarious, intimate, and deeply moving exploration of human connection in the digital age.
 
Lucille Lortel Award – Outstanding New Musical
Drama Desk Award– Outstanding New Musical
Outer Critics Circle Award– Outstanding New Musical
Obie Award– Outstanding New Musical

This production of OCTET is presented by Wilbury Theatre Group is made possible with support ​​from ​​the Susan F. Gonsalves Charitable Fund, ​and audience members like you.

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NEWS + MEDIA
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"Thought-provoking [and] soul-stirring...The production bursts at the seams with themes relating to religion, mysticism, philosophy, science, and human nature. And most of it is addressed through lush solo and eight-part harmonic choral performances jam-packed with dense and rapid-fire verbiage, which this cast manages brilliantly."
- The Boston Globe

"A stirring, exceptional work, and one of the most original things you’ll see all year....This is not your everyday musical. I don’t think I’ve ever seen something “everyday” at Wilbury, and they’re not going to start now. And that’s wonderful. Catch this thought-provoking work before it closes…and for now, put down your phone and go talk to someone three-dimensional. In both cases, you’ll be glad you did."
- WPRO

"In a nondescript church basement on a rainy evening, eight strangers gather for a support group unlike any other. Playwright Dave Malloy has conjured them here to sing away their "Monster," and this outstanding production of his 2019 work Octet at the Wilbury offers a thoughtful, polished look at the twists and turns that follow...Octet is bracing, strange, and formally adventurous, and this fine production is very much worth your time. Recommended."
- Broadway World

"Not even the stunningly beautiful voices in "Octet," Dave Malloy's haunting, brilliantly-directed a cappella musical on stage through Dec. 21 at Providence’s Wilbury Theatre — can brighten the darkness of this play's message: we are all addicted to the internet — and to our phones — in one way or another. But let not that disturbing reminder deter you from attending a performance, for I can guarantee that this must-see theatrical work is unlike anything you've ever seen — or heard — and is well worth the trip to Providence."
- The Westerly Sun

"'Octet' is a natural fit for Wilbury, which specializes in edgy and thought-provoking productions. This show is proof that musicals do not have to be brainless spectacles, they can actually be about something important.…and could not be more timely.”
- New England Theater Blog

"Beautifully immersive. You really feel that church basement at the beginning, but through the lighting design, you are transported like you are falling into the monster of the internet....Octet portrays some extreme examples of internet addiction, but I think there’s really something for everyone to relate to in some way."
- Ocean State Media

"Directed with precision by WTG artistic director Josh Short, Malloy’s hauntingly original new musical features richly layered harmonies and intricate vocal arrangements plus a comical, intimate, and deeply moving exploration of human connection in the digital age...Under the expert music direction of Milly Massey, the eight actors, each portraying a member of this unconventional support group, excel at balancing the technical demands of the score with the emotional depth of their characters...The ensemble’s voices blend seamlessly, underscoring the emotional turbulence of the group dynamic so incredibly well that their harmonizing alone is worth the admission."
- MOTIF Magazine

"INTERVIEW: Director Josh Short and actor Michael Yussef Greene on NBC Studio 10 discuss 'Octet' w/ Mario Hilario
- New England Theater Blog

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CAST + CREATIVE TEAM

Chelsea Aubert

Jason Cabral

Helena Tafuri*

Jenna Benzinger

Michael Yussef Greene

Naomi Tyler

Alexander Boyle

Jason Quinn

Octet
Music, lyrics, book,
and vocal arrangements by Dave Malloy

Directed by Josh Short
Music Direction by Milly Massey

Set Design by Monica Shinn
Sound + Light Design by Andy Russ
Costume Design by ​Dustin Thomas
Choreography by Ali Kenner Brodsky
Asst. Direction by Jeff Ginsberg
​
Stage Manager, Allison Marchetti*
Asst. Stage Manager, Maxime Hendrikse Liu
Asst. Stage Manager, Zoe Nadig
Costume Assistant, Arianna Davey
Sound Board Op, Caoilfhionn Farrell

Technical Director, Jason Sall
Production Intern, Z. Ferrara

House Management by Christine Treglia
Volunteer Management by Renee Bessette
​Production Photography by Erin X. Smithers
​Press / Media Inquiries: Niki Healy

​*Appears courtesy Actors' Equity Association, ​the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT: DAVE MALLOY

Dave Malloy is an award-winning composer, writer, performer, and orchestrator. He has written music for eighteen musicals, including Three Houses; Roald Dahl’s The Witches; Moby-Dick; Octet; Preludes; Ghost Quartet; Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (12 Tony nominations; 6 Olivier nominations); Little Bunny Foo Foo; Black Wizard/Blue Wizard; All Hands; Three Pianos; Beardo; Beowulf - A Thousand Years of Baggage; The Sewers; Sandwich; Clown Bible; and (The 99-cent) Miss Saigon. His awards include three Obies, a Smithsonian Ingenuity Award, a Drama Desk Award, a Lortel Award, the Richard Rodgers Award, an ASCAP New Horizons Award, and a Jonathan Larson Grant. Upcoming: Black Swan at American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) from May 26, 2026 through June 26, 2026. He lives in Beacon, NY. davemalloy.com.

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Join us at for Season 16 at Providence's home for groundbreaking artists and adventurous audiences. Membership includes admission to our 2025/26 Main Series productions and special events, including Rhode Island premieres of Bess Wohl's Small Mouth Sounds and Girl from North Country by Conor McPherson with music by Bob Dylan, the New England premieres of Dave Malloy's Chamber Musical Octet and Lilana Padilla's How to Defend Yourself and the world premiere of From Here to Where by Umberto Crenca with music by The Gillen Street Ensemble.

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An award-winning, not-for-profit professional theatre company, the Wilbury Theatre Group engages our community in thought-provoking conversation through new works, reimagined classics and adventurous playmaking. We are idealistic, ambitious, and stubborn in our resolve to create theatre that entertains, enlightens, and inspires.

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