Lin-Manuel Miranda to Adapt Musical ‘Octet’ into a Movie

94th Oscars® nominee Lin-Manuel Miranda arrives at the Oscar Nominee Luncheon held at the Fairmont Century Plaza on Monday, March 7, 2022. The 94th Oscars will air on Sunday, March 27, 2022 live on ABC. Credit/Provider: Michael Yada / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

Preview:

Lin-Manuel Miranda will direct a movie version of ‘Octet’.
It’ll be based on Dave Malloy and Annie Tippe’s show.
It follows people struggling with digital dependence.

While off-Broadway musical ‘Octet’ didn’t enjoy the longest run on stage back in 2019 (more on that below), its fortunes certainly appear to have changed on the movie adaptation front.

No less a stage/film icon than ‘Hamilton’ creator/star Lin-Manuel Miranda is attached to direct a film of the show.

It would mark the talented musician/actor and filmmaker’s second time adapting a musical following his version of Jonathan Larson’s ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’ in 2021.

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What’s the story of ‘Octet’?

The New York cast of stage musical ‘Octet’. Photo: Joan Marcus/WNYC Studios.

With a script and score by Dave Malloy, directed by Annie Tippe, the logline is as follows an octet of people struggling with digital dependency, charting their compulsions using only the analog vibrancy of their own 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.

It opened off-Broadway on May 19, 2019, at the Signature Theatre in New York City, before ending its run on June 30. That was followed by a west coast premiere with a five-week run at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre in 2022.

‘Octet’: Lin-Manuel Miranda talks

Here’s Miranda’s statement on tackling the musical for the screen:

“I haven’t stopped thinking about ‘Octet’ since I saw Annie Tippe’s premiere production in November of 2019. Dave Malloy’s score is versatile, brilliant and grows more relevant with each passing year. It won’t leave me alone so here we are.”

Lin Manuel Miranda at the Governors Ball following the live ABC Telecast of The 92nd Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, February 9, 2020. Credit/Provider: Kate Noelle / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.