Photos: First Look at the West Coast Premiere Of OCTET at Berkeley Repertory Theatre
Octet cast members include Adam Bashian (In Transit), Kim Blanck (Alice By Heart ), Alex Gibson (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812), and more.
By: Chloe Rabinowitz Apr. 28, 2022
Berkeley Repertory Theatre is presenting the west coast premiere chamber choir musical, Octet written by three- time Tony Award nominee Dave Malloy (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812) and directed by Annie Tippe, produced by special arrangement with Diana DiMenna and Plate Spinner Productions.
Get a first look at photos below!
Eight internet-obsessed people meet in real life to share their stories and wrestle their demons, using nothing but a pitch pipe and the transcendent quality of their voices. With witty lyrics, shimmering harmonies, and virtuosic solos, Octet sings of connection, redemption, hope-and how we can be truly present with each other.
Octet cast members include Adam Bashian (In Transit), Kim Blanck (Alice By Heart ), Alex Gibson (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812), Justin Gregory Lopez (Jesus Christ Superstar Live), J.D. Mollison (Moby Dick), Isabel Santiago (Leonard Bernstein's MASS on PBS' Great Performances), Margo Seibert (Unknown Soldier),and Kuhoo Verma (Plan B on Hulu and Monsoon Wedding). The cast is completed by understudies Dean Linnard, Roeen Nooran, Lili Thomas and Nicole Weiss.
The creative team includes Or Matias (music direction), Amy Rubin (co-scenic design), Brittany Vasta (co-scenic design), Brenda Abbandolo (costume design), Christopher Bowser (lighting design) Hidenori Nakajo (sound design), and Sam Schloegel (associate sound design).
Octet runs through Sunday, May 29. Tickets can be purchased at berkeleyrep.org or by phone 510 647-2949. Press night will be on Wednesday, April 27.
Octet was commissioned and received its world premiere at Signature Theatre Company, where Dave Malloy is resident playwright.
(center) Alex Gibson, Adam Bashian, Margo Seibert, J.D. Mollison, Kuhoo Verma, Isabel Santiago, Justin Gregory Lopez, and Kim Blanck
Alex Gibson, Margo Seibert, Justin Gregory Lopez, and Isabel Santiago
Isabel Santiago, (seated) Kuhoo Verma and J.D. Mollison
(foreground) Margo Seibert,(background, standing) Isabel Santiago, (seated) J.D. Mollison, Justin Gregory Lopez, Adam Bashian, and Alex Gibson
Adam Bashian and J.D. Mollison
Kim Blanck, (background) Adam Bashian, Kuhoo Verma, and Alex Gibson
(center) Justin Gregory Lopez, (foreground) Kim Blanck and Alex Gibson
(first row, kneeling) Justin Gregory Lopez (Toby), Margo Seibert (Jessica), and Kim Blanck (Karly) (second row) Kuhoo Verma, J.D. Mollison, and Isabel Santiago (back row, l to r) Adam Bashian (Ed) and Alex Gibson (Henry) in the West Coast premiere of Dave Malloya??s Octet directed by Annie Tippe.
Videos