Messiah Rocks Tickets

I'm not really sure what I was expecting. I sang Messiah with my church when I was a teenager, so I am familiar with it in general. I think Handel would be rolling over in his grave if he saw it. But once I set aside what I thought it would be like, the music was good and I did enjoy the performance. Using the Hallelujah chorus as an audience participation son was good though the song itself lost a little in the "competition" between audience sections. Overall I liked it.

Soprano screechy....no handels messiah music till the last song..disappointed!

A very amateur production. Not the professional quality I expected at this venue. Very disappointing

Sound was bad for vocal leads. We couldn't understand most of the lyrics, electric guitar was not loud enough until middle of show. Male lead singers strained to reach higher notes. Female lead was good and clearly enunciated most of her lyrics. Choirs, both young adult and children, were very enjoyable with a nice mix of voices. The combined orchestra and rock band was both aurally and visually exciting. Choosing electric or acoustic guitars made some songs more meaningful. The careful use of the orchestra in the rock songs really increased the fullness of the sound. The images projected on the screen behind the performers was repetitive, distracting and annoying. Way too many scenes of razor wire, fences and gates and not enough of emotionally uplifting views. Would have been better with no video at all.

When the billing shouted "Handel's Messiah Rocks", it was in instant invitation to a rousing and moving show. The reality was that it was inexpensively produced with poor technical execution and no sign of the power and majesty one would expect from such a title. Only the lead vocalists were dressed in costume - simple but effective but there was no costuming for the chorus, or band members that often occupied the stage. Instead, they looked like they were pulled off the street for the performance...an observation that's very close to the truth. The chorus consisted of young adults from local churches who sang on stage but weren't miked or amplified. Instead, a previously recorded chorale was used as a backing track and the chorus simply sang along with the recording. The musicians were adequate but their performances were swallowed by the size of the venue and the lack of an adequate sound reinforcement system. The paltry FOH system was more suited to a church sanctuary than the Fox Theater. It didn't "thump" so it didn't inspire. The lead vocalists were very good and their lyrics were fairly clear to understand in the mix. But it was the lack of presence in the music that killed the atmosphere. If one can hear a cough at the back of the house over an orchestra accompanied by a rock ensemble, then the message is going to be lost. Handel's Messiah is far too moving and inspirational to have it presented as a mere whisper of it's real glory.

Glad we went. Wouldn't go again. Rock music concept was great but felt as if we were in a revival meeting.

The music was good, but they started 30 min. late - so at 7:30 - and it was done around 8:40 p.m. The tickets were $64.00 each and I expected a LOT more for my money. Would not recommend to anyone.

I have viewed several events at Atlanta's Fox theatre and have always been pleased. However, handel's Messiah Rocks leaves much to be desired. It features thee main vocalists: mike eldred, Ramona Keller, and Marty thomas. All three were excellent vocalists. Together, they harmonized beautifully. But the showmanship and the production was sub par. Many times, the singers appeared awkward when interacting with the composer and/ or each other. Marty was funny and I was always pleased when it was his turn to perform. Mike Eldrid and the young lady were okay. The show also featured two guitarists. I think Alex and chris were their names. Chris had the most solos and may have been very talented. However, when he was supposed to be revving up his guitar, I was straining to hear them as opposed to covering my ears. The guitar sounded more like a kitty than an electric guitar. An easy fix to this may have been to simply turn up the volume. I am leaning more towards the fact that the Fox was too large of a concert hall for this event. I don't think their equipment could support the volume needed to fill a room this size. Also, I did not go for a theological experience. But the words to some of the songs were less than biblical to say the least.

The event title was Handel's Messiah, however almost none of Handels music was included --- not even the entire version of the Hallelujah chorus! Most of the music was religious gospel music. The singers (especially the tenors) were great, but the event bordered on being cheesy. There was even a makeshift "pep rally" at the beginning. Besides the performance not being what the event was billed as, the event started at 7:30 rather than 7:00, which was totally unnecessary and very presumptious. This is the first event that I have attended at the Fox Theater that I felt was a waste of my money.

I've heard better music in church. I was somewhat disappointed in the production....it was a "fair" production....not that inspiring.