Chicago Tribune
- Highly Recommended
"...Dave Malloy’s “Octet” is an a capella musical structured around intricate, eight-part vocal harmonies and a show that would challenge the most experienced of Chicago’s musical houses. But Raven Theatre, a venerable North Side company located in an old supermarket, has never produced a musical before in its 43-year history. For Raven to pull off the Midwestern premiere of this fiendishly difficult piece at this extraordinarily high level is nothing short of remarkable."
Chicago Sun Times
- Somewhat Recommended
"...The musical “Octet,” the brainchild of Dave Malloy (“Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812”), distinguishes itself from a 95-minute, no-intermission a cappella concert only by having the singers play characters, with some spoken dialogue. Offering a chance to lend some cool to a cappella, Lin-Manuel Miranda recently announced his plan to direct a film version of “Octet,” which premiered off-Broadway in 2019."
Chicago Reader
- Highly Recommended
"...Dave Malloy's a cappella chamber piece is pure bliss. Director Keira Fromm has staged her production simply, upon a slightly elevated platform that represents an anonymous meeting room, somewhere in Chicago. She's sensitively guided a contemporary story that's especially au courant. The group of eight talented people who've come together brilliantly explore their individual and collective addiction to the internet. In facing the Monster that's taken over their lives, eight hearts open up to us while eight souls are bared through Malloy's deceptively simple score. But please: absolutely do not miss this unique, ravishing and resplendent new musical. Raven Theatre's stellar production of OCTET connects the audience to today's cultural landscape. And, in doing so, it takes a valiant stab at slaying the Monster that tightly holds each of us captive."
Chicago Stage and Screen
- Highly Recommended
"...Keira Fromm’s direction and Nick Sula’s musical direction make sure that this plot rolls out seamlessly and the tunes are pitch perfect: this is a technically magic production that is entertaining and thought provoking. Don’t miss it, and bring a friend. "
Chicago Theatre Review
- Highly Recommended
"...Dave Malloy’s a cappella chamber piece is pure bliss. Director Keira Fromm has staged her production simply, upon a slightly elevated platform that represents an anonymous meeting room, somewhere in Chicago. She’s sensitively guided a contemporary story that’s especially au courant. The group of eight talented people who’ve come together brilliantly explore their individual and collective addiction to the internet."
Third Coast Review
- Highly Recommended
"...For more than 40 years, Raven Theatre has been a cornerstone of Chicago’s intimate, actor?driven drama. Over its long history, the company has built its reputation on revivals of modern classics and premieres of new work, but never a musical. That changes with the Chicago premiere of Dave Malloy’s Octet, the first musical in Raven’s history and a bold, beautifully realized leap into new territory."
Werner's Theatre Reviews
- Highly Recommended
"...The Midwestern premiere of Octet officially opened as the final production of Chicago's Raven Theatre's 43rd Season. Opening at the Signature Theatre in New York City on May 19, 2019, Dave Malloy's chamber-acapella musical has been receiving high acclaims, including the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music and an upcoming film adaptation directed by Hamilton composer, Lin-Manuel Miranda. Raven's production explores the harms of online dependability, as well as the healing elements of community and music."
BroadwayWorld
- Highly Recommended
"...A show like Octet, now in its Chicago premiere at Raven Theatre, is exactly the kind of work that reminds me why I love musicals. It's the kind of show we need more of. And if you don't think you're an internet addict before you see this musical, you'll walk out of the theater convinced. It's why Molloy's concept is so brilliant; it seems quirky and niche, but it ends up so relatable."
