Mass Hysterical: A Comedic Cantata

Mass Hysterical: A Comedic Cantata is a Canadian stage show, which premiered as an online web special in December 2020.[1] Created by Carly Heffernan and Matthew Reid in collaboration with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra as a sequel to the 2014 hit The Second City Guide to the Symphony,[2] the show presented a comedic look at the history of classical and liturgical music in the church.[1]

The show was hosted by Colin Mochrie.[1] The participating comedians were Heffernan, Ashley Comeau, Darryl Hinds and Kris Siddiqi, with Reid, Julia Dawson and Russell Braun participating as musicians.[1]

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, it premiered in an online presentation.[1] A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales were donated to the Kingston Road United Church's Raise Our Roof fundraising campaign.[1]

The webcast received two Canadian Screen Award nominations at the 10th Canadian Screen Awards in 2022, for Best Lead Performance in a Web Program or Series (Mochrie) and Best Writing in a Web Program or Series (Heffernan, Reid).[3]

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Comedian Colin Mochrie to host online presentation of Mass Hysterical: A Comedic Cantata on Dec. 15". Beach Metro Community News, December 5, 2020.
  2. ^ Trish Crawford, "They can't be serious! Second City meets the symphony: Local comedy troupe teams up with TSO to prove classical music can be good for a laugh". Toronto Star, November 27, 2014.
  3. ^ Brent Furdyk, "2022 Canadian Screen Award Nominees Announced, ‘Sort Of’ & ‘Scarborough’ Lead The Pack". ET Canada, February 15, 2022.