Octet

See it if Very creative with timely themes. Great singing and choreography. Unique and special. Fun and very thought-provoking.

Don't see it if There is one scene that had nothing to do with anything else. It is interesting in itself but it's jarring on the continuity of the whole.

See it if Really inventive concept for a show. The music and the vocals are VERY impressive. Subject matter is relevant to today.

Don't see it if You dislike the format of A Chorus Line or Assassins. This is similar where each character has a song but it's all connected by a theme.

See it if you want to be entranced by 8 people singing a cappella basically non-stop for 2 hours, flawlessly.

Don't see it if you're looking for something that really has something to say. This show keeps hinting at a deeper meaning but never quite finds the payoff.

See it if far ranging/imaginative exploration of our addiction 2 technology "monster", how tech defines us; striking music/lyrics; amazing a/c singing

Don't see it if u don't like modern a cappella or complex, poetic lyrics w obscure techno-speak; little plot development/character interaction

See it if you’re looking for something entirely original, fresh, and contemporary. It’s the best a capela musical about Internet addiction out there.

Don't see it if you prefer the classics or don’t want to be challenged. This show goes to strange places, so if you’re not into quirk this isn’t for you.

See it if You enjoy a capella singing. You enjoy self-help groups where actors sit around in a circle. You want some of the free coffee on stage.

Don't see it if You'd be bored by the (too-long) piece in the second part that runs about 30 minutes. Everything else except that piece was entertaining.

See it if you enjoy a cappella singing, new plays & librettos with a current topic; talented ensemble with beautiful voices and harmonies.

Don't see it if not interested in seeing a bare bones set, a rare Signature musical or a self help meeting for people with internet/technology addiction.

Also Slow second half could use some editing. The play is interesting and worth seeing, especially if you appreciate originality.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see an intelligent and innovative piece about internet addicts. The a cappella style suits the story perfectly.

Don't see it if you don't care about innovation in the theatre. "Octet" pushes boundaries in the art of theatrical storytelling. JUST GO!!

See it if You like Dave Malloy music and attempts at new formats.

Don't see it if You don't like accapella songs

See it if you're interested in an acapella musical about internet/technology addiction. Beautiful arrangements/singing, fun but also thought-provoking

Don't see it if you're looking for a traditional musical, or something family friendly. Lots of crude language and adult references.

See it if interested in how tech’s made ppl faster but not better (and arguably faster at being worse); you’re good at following unpredictable lyrics.

Don't see it if bothered that the show illustrates a situation, rather than a plot; dislike so much cleverness; turning to God fixes all of your problems.

Also How quickly can we get a cast recording?! I didn’t get any of the tarot references (whoops). But these compositions can be enjoyed either way. I’m glad the designers resisted the obvious option of sticking the show in a soulless black set to showcase Malloy’s funny, canny, erudite, and introspective book of secular hymns. Elite Off-Broadway experience: everything about this show reflects uncompromising creative independence & top notch production standards.

Octet references some corners of the internet I'm not familiar with (incel, red pill rooms, etc.). You don't have to know every trend, but you get more out of it if you're comfortable following complex lyrics. Each character has a stellar voice but their confessions are the substance of the show.... Read more Read less

See it if A talented cast performs a cappella songs, often in 8-part harmony, that illuminate the problems of internet addiction.

Don't see it if If you’re looking for a more traditionally linear show. Sometimes the lyrics were hard to understand.

See it if curious about a bathos-rooted, semi-pretentious, thoroughly mind-opening a cappella (mostly) performance about 21st-century tech-addiction.

Don't see it if expecting the luscious world of Dave Malloy’s The Great Comet; listening to people wax-on about technology/internet obsessions don't appeal.

Also Dave Malloy’s Octet is clever, fast-paced, and performed by eight exceptional singer-actors, although the real power is in the harmonious songs in the first half. The second half (there’s no intermission) loses some power, mostly because the “confessions” of our addicts go from marvelously performed solos (with some accompaniment) to more riffs and talking. I’d have loved for all eight confessions to be focused on a single character throughout—by the latter half, it’s as if Malloy and his team felt like it was going on too long and needed to combine three-in-one, plus add a spoken portion to rest the voice (and ears?). I also found the agnostic/atheistic moments a bit too much (and potentially detracting to believers), and there’s some lewdness (porn addiction), but everything is done with a dash of cleverness and vocal integrity. I’d be interested in a cast album—it’s amazing how something like web browsers and blue-glows of screens can sound so gorgeous in the right hands and voices.... Read more Read less

See it if you like very strong vocalist singing a cappella. I didn't know what it was about and it was an "Aha!" moment! 7/8th of a great show!

Don't see it if You are looking for anything like Comet. It's a different show, with its own life, and message. see below. Needs a little trimming.

Also I hope this gets worked on and goes on. The music is beautiful, and moving. I'm older but I still got most of the references. Very relevant.

My biggest issue was that I believe the scientist character jumps the shark. It stops being relatable & becomes a diatribe about religion - which is very different that the rest of the piece. Also, because they use the format of an AA meeting, there is mostly listening with monologues with little dialogues - so be prepared. Please note, It didn't bother me. The ending was a bit dark, & unnecessary. Used as a vehicle to allow the "New" girl to say her piece. - but she wasn't shy, just new, and had much to say during a transition, so the plot didn't make sense and felt dark and cultish. (It's also a divergence from the rest of the show. Not sure if it was an anti AA message. Not sure why it was really there.) A couple too many themes to tackle in one show. But really glad I went, and I think it has much promise.... Read more Read less

See it if Aca-mazing support group of tech addicts. Beautiful singing of how tech's consuming our minds and perhaps our souls.

Don't see it if You don't use tech (i.e., smart phones) — this would make little sense to you. No main plot, more anecdotes of various ways tech addicts us.

Also Diversity diverse octet of half female, Black, Latino, South Asian, White, and one out gay character.
Ticket from box office for $35.... Read more Read less

See it if excellent signing with really interesting harmonies and melodies.

Don't see it if essentially just songs with a minimal book. show could get dated very quickly.

See it if you're a fan of Malloy; you enjoy a cappella; you want to contemplate time and space and existence; you're looking for something new

Don't see it if you're looking for traditional structure; you're tired of shows that ponder about social media and technology; you need an orchestra

Also This show is on the verge of brilliant. It's a quirky, unexpected pondering on our interaction with technology. Many of its ideas are well-trodden, but there are a few moments that really caught me off guard. Most of its songs are too long, and the vignette structure was uneven. But I trust Malloy to keep working on this, and I'm really excited to see how it evolves.... Read more Read less

See it if You love great singing and musicianship. Are interested is addiction, technology, counseling. Like Malloy's immersive approach to theatre.

Don't see it if Don't enjoy wonderful vocal performance and witty writing.

Also Loved, loved, loved it!

See it if you're a big fan of Malloy and want to hear a talented cast sing his music. If you like themes of modern addictions.

Don't see it if you're not a fan of a capella. Or if you're not a fan of the occult.

Also I really was enjoying this piece and still do overall. I just found the ending to be completely strange even with the tiny line in the beginning that sets it up.... Read more Read less

See it if The brilliance of Dave Malloy.

Don't see it if Sold out!

See it if You enjoy a cappella singing & are concerned about the many ways we become addicted to technology. Imaginative!

Don't see it if You prefer less complex entertainment,

See it if a QUIRKY theater piece sounds entertaining to you.

Don't see it if the thought of a musical with out music doesn't even make you say "huh."

Also Beautiful voices. Talented cast. WEIRD everything else.

See it if You want to see something that's like Black Mirror meets "Life Support" from Rent. You enjoy a cappella music, and/or Malloy's work.

Don't see it if You have absolutely zero tolerance for theatre that is non-linear in its dramaturgic construction. It is more akin to a series of stories.

Also "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." Arthur C. Clarke

I would argue that sufficiently advanced theatre is indistinguishable from magic as well. Octet is just that, pure magic.

I should begin by noting that, forgetting all the piece's other successes, "Little God" is one of the most intense and absorbing songs I have ever heard. That piece alone is worth the price of admission.

Okay, with that out of the way, let's start. Octet eschews easy answers. It is full of mystery and doubt. The framing device evolves in small and unnerving waysas the piece continues.

The performances are all astonishing. You might have to wait quite a while to hear such a wonderful ensemble of voices in such an intimate performance again.

The vignettes vary in how intriguing they are, but they do escalate as the piece move forwards.

Honestly, it's just so refreshing to see a piece that not only takes chances, but has a boundless amount of craft to back it up.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a unique, perfectly executed, beautifully sung new musical focusing on relevant social issues.

Don't see it if You only like plays with traditional narratives and plot lines.

See it if Dave malloys a cappella musical about internet addiction but also faith v reason,spirituality v worldliness, & search for connection

Don't see it if It is beautifully sung and starts off as self help group but veers wildly towards the end into mysticism and magic which may be confusing