When two creators are commissioned to write a cantata that allows four comedians to explore church music in a production performed in four churches the result is Mass Hysterical. This new comedic cantata is composed by Matthew C. Reid with Carly Heffernan. The production explores church music in an entertaining and slightly cheeky way with participation from four Second City comedy troupe alumni. Mass Hysterical celebrates more than 1000 years of ecclesiastical music, taking a satirical but loving look at the repertoire, the composers, the personalities, and even the congregations themselves. The repertoire will begin somewhere in the 8th Century and march through the years with nods to composers like Bach, Handel and Mozart. This production includes a small chamber group and four Second City actors who will perform a variety of songs, dialogue and comedy. The musicians will be a string quintet, oboe, flute and keyboard. Choristers from local churches will participate in the performance by filling the role of the church choir in the performance.

Presented by the Kingston Road Village Concert Series in conjunction with Kingston Road United Church, Toronto; Emmanuel United Church, Waterloo; and St. John’s United Church of Georgetown and Glen Williams