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]