The Wilbury Theatre Group latest production is “Octet”, a chamber choir musical that explores the damaging effects of technology on our lives and relationships. Directed by Josh Short, it’s the Rhode Island premiere of the award-winning play, with book and music by David Malloy.
Ocean State Media afternoon host Mareva Lindo and producer James Baumgartner saw the play and have this review.
AA for internet addicts
Mareva Lindo: The whole thing takes place in a church basement at a support group for internet addicts. As each of the eight characters drift into the meeting, they place their phones in a box and trade them for pitch pipes. And those pitch pipes are the only instruments we hear in the musical.
Coasting through the world with candy
James Baumgartner: Each of the characters has a song describing their particular facet of internet addiction, and each of the performers in this production shines during their solos. One of the stand-outs for me was the song “Candy,” with Jason Quinn playing the role of Henry, who is addicted to tile-matching games. It’s a rapturous, gospel music-like tune, as Henry sings about how he finds joy as the numbers go up and up, and how he lays in bed for two days in a row swiping at the game.
The dark side of online dating
Lindo: One of the darkest and most interesting parts of the play was a piece called “Solo,” which is really a duet. It features Karly, played by Naomi Tyler, sharing her experiences with online dating. Her parts are intercut with Ed, played by Michael Tussuf Greene, portraying the men she encounters. There’s a poignant moment where Karly is talking about rejecting people on the apps. She describes a kind of switch-flip where some men will then suddenly start bullying and insulting her, and her fear that that rejection could be the thing that pushes them into radicalization. That’s mirrored by Ed then talking about the corners of the internet where that kind of rhetoric thrives, appealing to lonely men like him, encouraging them to blame women for their problems, and suggesting violence and extremism as the solution.
Final notes
Baumgartner: The stage design and lighting are 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.
Lindo: Overall, Octet portrays some extreme examples of internet addiction, but I think there’s really something for everyone to relate to in some way.
Baumgartner: This is a dark play, and I’d recommend it if you like musicals like “Sweeney Todd” or “Assassins” since it does have some of that Sondheim-like satirical energy.
“Octet” is on now through Dec. 21 at the Wilbury Theatre Group in Providence.
Want more tips on what to do this weekend in Rhode Island?
In this week’s Weekend 401: A speakeasy choir at the United Theatre, a holiday variety show at The Vets, a Krampus holiday market at The Met, and “Songs of Darkness and Light” at Community Music Works.
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