Job: The HipHop Musical --- I have seen the future of the musical/and yo, this aint no Cabaret or Carousel. 

That I would attempt even that much of a rap lyric indicates how excited I am about Job: The HipHop Musical. The story of Job has inspired many a playwright, but as far as I know, no one has ever set it to music before. Eli Batalion and Jerome Saibil’s collaboration revives not only the musical but also the moribund tradition of verse drama, transforming it in the process. This show is not out of place in the dance space, since every second is choreographed. Batalion and Saibil have created a new theatrical form, and it’s ready for Off-Broadway. 

— Amy Barratt 

June 27, 2002 

One way or another, it looks like we’ll also have another chance to catch Job: The HipHop Musical, which overall was the most impressive of about 15 shows I saw at this Fringe. At least a runner-up in every category it was eligible for, this show was the outright winner in one: Best Text, sponsored by Chapters bookstore. I can’t wait to see how they manage the “public reading” that is part of the prize. A straight reading of the rap lyrics would be a scream, but I can’t see the astonishing duo of Eli Batalion and Jerome Saibil giving anything less than a full performance complete with sweat and headsets. Possibly a first for Chapters.

— Amy Barratt