Nellie McKay

“The one thing certain about Ms. McKay is the size and range of her talent.” – The New York Times

Singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Nellie McKay may sound sweet and innocent but don’t let that fool you. A social activist with a fiercely independent intellect and disarming mastery of pop vernacular, McKay has a reputation for being witty, bright, and gloriously inappropriate. Join us when she returns to the Emelin stage to deliver her signature blend of thought-provoking, emotionally affecting –  fun – live performance.

Among Ms. McKay’s charms, is the way she playfully mixes a “tragic noir vibe” with her “wicked sense of humor.” – Wall Street Journal

McKay has produced an array of wildly varying albums, from Get Away From Me (“a tour de force” – NY Times), Normal as Blueberry Pie: a Tribute to Doris Day (“among the killer overhauls of American standards” – NY Times), My Weekly Reader, music of the 60’s (..kicks serious butt…beautiful.” – PopMatters), Obligatory Villagers (“plays like the breathless first act of a musical decrying fascism” – SPIN), to Sister Orchid (“the most lonely romantic album imaginable.” – Minneapolis Star-Tribune).

“A renegade songwriter with an ultra-flexible Great American Songbook sensibility, McKay finds modern resonances everywhere.” – Rolling Stone

As versatile as she is talented, McKay co-created and starred in the award-winning off-Broadway hit Old Hats, earned an Ovation nomination for composing/performing in A Play is a Poem, and won a Theatre World Award for her portrayal of Polly Peachum on Broadway in The Threepenny Opera. The artist has performed onscreen in the films PS I Love You and Downtown Express, on Late Night and radio. Her music was used in Rumor Has It, Monster-in-Law, PS I Love You, Gasland, Last Holiday, and Private Life, as well as such television hits as, “Mad Men,” “Boardwalk Empire,” “Weeds,” and more. 

In addition to writing three acclaimed musical biographies, McKay’s writing has appeared in “The Onion,” “Interview,” and “The New York Times Book Review.” She is a recipient of PETA’s Humanitarian Award and the Humane Society’s Doris Day Music Award in recognition of her dedication to animal rights.

“McKay comes on as a Harlem Holly Golightly, a social activist with a disarming mastery of pop vernacular.” – Los Angeles Times

“..ambitious, intriguing, and clever..” – Billboard

“McKay must have been genetically engineered under an oyster shell in New Orleans’ Frenchman St.. a bizarre sense of busker authenticity… witty, bright, and gloriously inappropriate.” – Theatermania

“…her performances are thought-provoking, emotionally affecting, and fun.. her sweet voice and innocent demeanor mask a singular ability to wield the catchiest popular music idioms of the last century in the service of a fiercely independent intellect.” – Renee Fleming