A stylized promotional image featuring eight diverse individuals, each captured mid-song or mid-expression, against a dark background with blue lighting. The central figure, a woman with long dark hair, appears joyful with her eyes closed and head slightly tilted back. The surrounding individuals show a range of emotions, including serenity, intensity, and passion, suggesting a musical or choral performance.
Photo of Zorana Sadiq, Hailey Gillis, Alicia Ault, Giles Tomkins, Ben Carlson, Jacqueline Thair, Andrew Broderick, Damien Atkins by Dahlia Katz.
Photo of Zorana Sadiq, Hailey Gillis, Alicia Ault, Giles Tomkins, Ben Carlson, Jacqueline Thair, Andrew Broderick, Damien Atkins by Dahlia Katz.

Octet

A Crow’s Theatre, Soulpepper Theatre, and The Musical Stage Company Co-production
Music, lyrics, book, and vocal arrangements by Dave Malloy
Directed by Chris Abraham
Music Direction by Ryan deSouza
Choreography by Cameron Carver

Canadian Premiere
Sep 9, 2025 - Oct 12, 2025
Guloien Theatre

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Octet is part of the Complete Crowsnest, Signature Series, and Signature Series Preview Subscriptions. Also, it may be included in any 4-ticket or 6-ticket Design Your Own Flexible subscription. Subscribe today and save!

 

From three-time Tony Award nominee Dave Malloy (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, Ghost Quartet) comes his latest off-Broadway sensation, Octet—directed by Chris Abraham.

In a tech-obsessed support group, eight internet addicts grapple with everything from doomscrolling to Candy Crush to conspiracy theories.

Blending razor-sharp contemporary critique with haunting choral harmonies, Octet 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

A sublime chamber opera that promises to be the most original and topical musical of the year.

- The New York Times

Octet once again reveals Dave Malloy to be one of the most creatively audacious talents working in musical theater today.

- The Hollywood Reporter

Videos

OCTET Teaser

OCTET Teaser: Solo

A man illuminated by green lighting stands against a dark background, looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression. Colourful gummy bears in red, yellow, orange, blue, and purple appear digitally overlaid and float around his face. The image has a vertical format with black bars on either side.

OCTET Teaser: Candy

Photos

Photo of Damien Atkins, Alicia Ault, Andrew Broderick, Ben Carlson, Hailey Gillis, Zorana Sadiq, Giles Tomkins by Dahlia Katz
Seven people pose dramatically on a lit, grid-patterned floor, with arms extended forward and expressive faces. They are dressed in casual clothing, kneeling or crouching in a tight formation. The background features a piano, bulletin board, posters, and string lights, indicating the setting is a church basement.
Photo of Damien Atkins, Alicia Ault, Andrew Broderick, Ben Carlson, Hailey Gillis, Zorana Sadiq, Jacqueline Thair, Giles Tomkins by Dahlia Katz
A group of eight people sit in a circle on folding chairs in a brightly lit room with a wood-patterned floor, resembling a community or church hall. The background features a stage area with a piano, a bulletin board, a wall clock, decorative string lights, and various posters and crafts on the walls. The room includes elements like a coat rack, bookshelves, and a globe, suggesting a multipurpose space. The individuals appear engaged, possibly participating in a discussion or support group.
Photo of Damien Atkins, Alicia Ault, Andrew Broderick, Ben Carlson, Hailey Gillis, Zorana Sadiq, Jacqueline Thair, Giles Tomkins by Dahlia Katz
Eight people stand in a diagonal formation on a glowing white square in the centre of a dark, reflective floor. Each person has one leg raised in a stylized pose, and they appear to be mid-performance with expressive facial expressions. The group wears casual clothing, and the background reveals a church basement with folding chairs, a piano, bulletin boards, and religious-themed decorations. A metronome sits on the floor to the right.
Photo of Hailey Gillis by Dahlia Katz
A woman in the foreground sings with her hands raised and expressive face, illuminated by vibrant purple and red stage lighting. Two other people stand in the background near the steps of a stage area, slightly out of focus. The setting is a church basement, with folding chairs, a bulletin board, and wall decorations partially visible in the dim light.
Photo of Damien Atkins, Alicia Ault, Andrew Broderick, Ben Carlson, Hailey Gillis, Zorana Sadiq, Jacqueline Thair, Giles Tomkins by Dahlia Katz
A man sits alone at the centre of a highly reflective floor with his arms raised and face lifted, framed by a glowing square of light. Behind him, eight people sit in a row on risers against the wall of a church basement. The background includes a piano, bulletin boards, religious decorations, a globe, and various signs and crafts, creating a warm, lived-in environment. The man’s reflection is clearly visible on the glossy floor beneath him.
Photo of Alicia Ault by Dahlia Katz
A woman sits on a step in front of a piano, looking upward with a thoughtful expression. She wears a striped long-sleeve shirt under dark overalls and yellow shoes. The setting is a church basement, with items such as a children's toy, bookshelf, lamp, and a cup and saucer on the floor. A clipboard and papers rest on the piano, and various decorations and signs are visible in the background.
Photo of Damien Atkins, Alicia Ault, Andrew Broderick, Ben Carlson, Hailey Gillis, Zorana Sadiq, Jacqueline Thair, Giles Tomkins by Dahlia Katz
A man stands at the front singing with one arm raised and an expressive face. Behind him, seven other people stand in a staggered formation with their hands positioned in front of their chests, facing forward. The setting is a church basement with a piano, bulletin board, clock, and colourful decorations visible on the back wall.
Photo of Alicia Ault, Hailey Gillis, Zorana Sadiq, Jacqueline Thair by Dahlia Katz
Four women stand in a row under intense red lighting, singing with expressive faces and emotional energy. They wear casual clothing and headset microphones. Two other figures are visible in the background, partially obscured and in softer focus. The setting is a church basement, with elements like a cross on the wall, a piano, and a bulletin board faintly visible in the dim red glow.
Photo of Jacqueline Thair by Dahlia Katz
A woman sits cross-legged on a folding chair, smiling with one hand resting near her ear as if listening. She wears relaxed, casual clothing and is bathed in warm lighting. Beside her is a small wooden table with a tissue box on top and board games stored underneath, including Scrabble and Yahtzee. In the background of the church basement setting are stacked chairs, a globe, and various supplies.
Photo of Damien Atkins by Dahlia Katz
A person sits on the edge of a raised platform in a church basement, resting their head on one hand and holding a mallet in the other. They wear a red hoodie, striped shirt, rolled-up jeans, and patterned high-top sneakers. The space is lit in vibrant pink and purple tones. Behind them are children’s toys, books, a boombox, and a sign with a large arrow pointing down. A folded blanket and other personal items are visible on a nearby chair.
Photo of Hailey Gillis, Giles Tomkins by Dahlia Katz
A man sits on a folding chair with his head lowered and hands clasped, appearing deep in thought, lit by blue light on a reflective, grid-patterned floor. Behind him, a woman sits on another chair under red lighting, holding one hand in the air as if making a point. Other people are visible in the dimly lit background of the church basement, including a person seated near a lit lamp and a piano.
Photo of Damien Atkins, Alicia Ault, Andrew Broderick, Ben Carlson, Hailey Gillis, Zorana Sadiq, Jacqueline Thair, Giles Tomkins by Dahlia Katz
Eight people stand in a straight line on a reflective, grid-patterned floor, all with their arms crossed in front of their chests in synchronized gestures. They are dressed in casual clothing and appear focused, with varied facial expressions. Behind them is a church basement wall with a piano, clock, cross, bulletin boards, and children’s decorations. A metronome sits on the floor in front of them.
Seven people pose dramatically on a lit, grid-patterned floor, with arms extended forward and expressive faces. They are dressed in casual clothing, kneeling or crouching in a tight formation. The background features a piano, bulletin board, posters, and string lights, indicating the setting is a church basement.
A group of eight people sit in a circle on folding chairs in a brightly lit room with a wood-patterned floor, resembling a community or church hall. The background features a stage area with a piano, a bulletin board, a wall clock, decorative string lights, and various posters and crafts on the walls. The room includes elements like a coat rack, bookshelves, and a globe, suggesting a multipurpose space. The individuals appear engaged, possibly participating in a discussion or support group.
Eight people stand in a diagonal formation on a glowing white square in the centre of a dark, reflective floor. Each person has one leg raised in a stylized pose, and they appear to be mid-performance with expressive facial expressions. The group wears casual clothing, and the background reveals a church basement with folding chairs, a piano, bulletin boards, and religious-themed decorations. A metronome sits on the floor to the right.
A woman in the foreground sings with her hands raised and expressive face, illuminated by vibrant purple and red stage lighting. Two other people stand in the background near the steps of a stage area, slightly out of focus. The setting is a church basement, with folding chairs, a bulletin board, and wall decorations partially visible in the dim light.
A man sits alone at the centre of a highly reflective floor with his arms raised and face lifted, framed by a glowing square of light. Behind him, eight people sit in a row on risers against the wall of a church basement. The background includes a piano, bulletin boards, religious decorations, a globe, and various signs and crafts, creating a warm, lived-in environment. The man’s reflection is clearly visible on the glossy floor beneath him.
A woman sits on a step in front of a piano, looking upward with a thoughtful expression. She wears a striped long-sleeve shirt under dark overalls and yellow shoes. The setting is a church basement, with items such as a children's toy, bookshelf, lamp, and a cup and saucer on the floor. A clipboard and papers rest on the piano, and various decorations and signs are visible in the background.
A man stands at the front singing with one arm raised and an expressive face. Behind him, seven other people stand in a staggered formation with their hands positioned in front of their chests, facing forward. The setting is a church basement with a piano, bulletin board, clock, and colourful decorations visible on the back wall.
Four women stand in a row under intense red lighting, singing with expressive faces and emotional energy. They wear casual clothing and headset microphones. Two other figures are visible in the background, partially obscured and in softer focus. The setting is a church basement, with elements like a cross on the wall, a piano, and a bulletin board faintly visible in the dim red glow.
A woman sits cross-legged on a folding chair, smiling with one hand resting near her ear as if listening. She wears relaxed, casual clothing and is bathed in warm lighting. Beside her is a small wooden table with a tissue box on top and board games stored underneath, including Scrabble and Yahtzee. In the background of the church basement setting are stacked chairs, a globe, and various supplies.
A person sits on the edge of a raised platform in a church basement, resting their head on one hand and holding a mallet in the other. They wear a red hoodie, striped shirt, rolled-up jeans, and patterned high-top sneakers. The space is lit in vibrant pink and purple tones. Behind them are children’s toys, books, a boombox, and a sign with a large arrow pointing down. A folded blanket and other personal items are visible on a nearby chair.
A man sits on a folding chair with his head lowered and hands clasped, appearing deep in thought, lit by blue light on a reflective, grid-patterned floor. Behind him, a woman sits on another chair under red lighting, holding one hand in the air as if making a point. Other people are visible in the dimly lit background of the church basement, including a person seated near a lit lamp and a piano.
Eight people stand in a straight line on a reflective, grid-patterned floor, all with their arms crossed in front of their chests in synchronized gestures. They are dressed in casual clothing and appear focused, with varied facial expressions. Behind them is a church basement wall with a piano, clock, cross, bulletin boards, and children’s decorations. A metronome sits on the floor in front of them.

Artistic Team

Damien Atkins

Henry

Alicia Ault

Velma

Andrew Broderick

Toby

Ben Carlson

Marvin

Hailey Gillis

Karly

Zorana Sadiq

Paula

Jacqueline Thair

Jessica

Giles Tomkins

Ed

Dave Malloy

Playwright & Composer

Chris Abraham

Director

Ryan deSouza

Music Director

Cameron Carver

Choreographer

Peter Fernandes

Assistant Director

Tyler Pearse

Associate Choreographer

Rachel O'Brien

Associate Music Director

Floydd Ricketts

Associate Music Director

Joshua Quinlan

Set Designer

Imogen Wilson

Lighting Designer

Olivia Wheeler

Sound Designer

Ming Wong

Costume Designer

Nathan Bruce

Video Designer

Hannah MacMillan

Stage Manager

Krista MacIsaac

Stage Manager

Delaney Small

Assistant Stage Manager

Madeline Ius

Head of Wardrobe

Lisa Nighswander

Head of Props

Sponsors

Greg Reed Heather Howe