Toronto (2015 Production)
What I learned by attending three Toronto Messiahs in one night | Musical Toronto
“This was a hip, exposed-brick Messiah… The young singers, all in barefoot, sang from memory that heightened the drama by removing barriers between performer and audience.”
Rehearsing “a Messiah that moves” | Schmopera
Schmopera’s Jenna Douglas takes you behind the scenes of a dancing Messiah rehearsal.
Against The Grain Goes Full On Oratorio | Musical Toronto
“I see a lot of Messiahs every year, and each is amazing in their way. But a special shout out goes to AtG’s Messiah, as it made me rethink the fundamentals of related musical form and the meaning they present us. It’s refreshing to say the least.”
A Tale of Two Messiahs | La Scena Musicale
“It made a surprisingly powerful impression… the chorus sounded and looked like they lived every note and every word.”
AtG’s Messiah | Stage Door
“No ordinary production: Against the Grain has indeed liberated Messiah… Let’s hope AtG revives it again soon.”
A Joyful Noise | Play Anon
“Baroque music: ballsy, brave, and… fun? In AtG’s hands, you bet.”
Review: AtG’s Messiah | Opera Going Toronto
“Dynamic indie collective Against the Grain Theatre rocks Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre Theatre with a fresh, restyled revival of its 2013 dance-drama Messiah.”
Concert Sampler: AtG’s Messiah | Toronto Star
“Against the Grain’s nu-opera is the most exceptional of exceptions.”
Barefoot Messiah | Opera Ramblings
“This is a very different Messiah and one that’s come a long way since the 2013 edition.”
Toronto theatres offer three unique versions of Handel’s Messiah | Musical Toronto
“For those with an affinity for the avant-garde, an excellent choice is the re-imagining of Messiah by the stage director Joel Ivany and his Against the Grain Theatre.”
Toronto theatres offer three unique versions of Handel’s Messiah | The Globe and Mail
“The ATG Messiah promises to be a bit slicker this year, moved to the Harbourfront Theatre with four performances, but retains the spirit of adventure and enjoyment that characterizes all the work of this company.”
How Do You Like Your Messiah? | Toronto Star
“Joel Ivany, co-artistic director, says the singers are in modern dress and are barefoot because “it is earthy and grounded.””
What’s On | Toronto Life Magazine
“The ever-inventive Against the Grain Theatre troupe’s take is the most original—barefoot, costumed, choreographed, memorized and even occasionally funny (watch for the All We Like Sheep chorus).”
VIDEO: AtG’s Messiah: A Preview | Schmopera
“We caught a few moments of rehearsal, and chatted with the soloists and a few keen chorus members about adding movement and new meaning to Handel’s masterpiece.”
Straddling the Old and New | The Whole Note
“It lives more in the world of ballet and contemporary dance. This Messiah will be the largest-scale production AtG has ever mounted…”
Going Against the Grain: Holiday Edition | Soundboard Magazine
A feature interview with Joel Ivany conducted by Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall’s editorial team.
Rockin’ barefoot Messiah to play at Harbourfront Centre | Toronto Star
“Against the Grain artistic director Joel Ivany says the troupe’s gamble to take traditional works and present them in a modern way, while respecting the text and music, has paid off.”
Annual Battle of the Messiahs Just Got A Little More Serious | Musical Toronto
“…an impressive Against the Grain Theatre came out with an unorthodox production that reminded us that it is not the size that counts, but the creative vision behind it.”
From rape to crucifixion | Opera Ramblings
“AtG’s Messiah was a blast the first time round, especially Geoff Sirett’s sheep impersonation. This will probably sell out fairly quickly.”
Toronto (2013 Production)
What makes Messiah endure? | The Globe and Mail
“The most exciting Messiah over the past week or so may well have been that of the small, experimental musical/theatre company Against The Grain.”
Messing with Handel’s Messiah | Toronto Star
“Against the Grain Theatre is producing a dancing, barefoot, costumed, shortened Messiah this weekend at the Opera House on Queen St. E. Not only will half of the hundreds of patrons be standing, but they’ll be drinking alcohol and eating poutine as well.”
A different hallelujah | NOW Magazine
“This was not a stand-and-deliver performance, but one filled with gesture and movement by soloists and chorus. The four solo singers – soprano Jacqueline Woodley, alto Krisztina Szabó, tenor Isaiah Bell and bass Geoffrey Sirett – were all put to untraditional use; they were barefoot for most of the production.”
Review: AtG’s Messiah | Mooney on Theatre
“Though Against the Grain‘s Messiah was only two nights, they have won me over. I will be sure to catch their next productions.”
Messiah Review | Opera Going Toronto
“Toronto’s inventive musical co-op, Against the Grain Theatre, shakes the dust off the perennial Handel favourite with a new, decidedly untraditional offering rich in originality and surprise.”
Review: (Toronto) The Messiah | The Charlebois Post Canada
“Stage director Joel Ivany masterfully walks the line between edgy and faithful without rupturing the spirit of Handel’s Messiah, and Jennifer Nichols’ choreography brings clarity and artistry to the work.”
AtG’s Messiah | operaramblings
“So, in two years we’ve gone from an upright piano to piano quintet to an eighteen piece band with trumpets and timpani. It sounded great and Topher conducted with a suitable combination of precision, delicacy and passion.”
AtG’s Messiah: without a net | barczablog
“We were promised something different, and they delivered. Against the Grain Theatre’s Messiah took a familiar piece and added something without disturbing the essential gold.”
Musical Toronto | Preview: Against the Grain Theatre turns to a Messiah with movement
“Given the dozens upon dozens of amateur and professional Messiahs we can choose from in southern Ontario every December, experiencing it anew is at once a welcome proposition and a direct challenge to a Christmas tradition — and few traditions are more sacred than our personal and collective Yuletide habits.”
10 Questions for Joel Ivany | Barczablog
Our artistic director, Joel Ivany, talks with Leslie Barcza about AtG’s Messiah.
Rejoice Greatly | Opera Ramblings
John Gilks at Opera Ramblings looks forward to AtG’s Messiah.
