Emily Drennan

“…It was a simply delightful two hours, the first half spotlighting Simon’s work with Art Garfunkel, and the second half focusing on his solo efforts. The vocalists brought their own takes to the familiar hits and lesser known work, introducing them with interesting stories behind the material and taking turns as the featured voices.

The arrangement for the “59th Street Bridge Song (“Feeling Groovy),” was presented as a classical twist on a pop song. (I once shared with Art Garfunkel the story of my falling on that very bridge in one of my four New York Marathons, playfully assuring him I didn’t feel so groovy at that moment. Drennan also is a New York Marathon finisher.)

It was interesting and quite enjoyable to hear a female voice (Drennan) take the lead on “America.” She encouraged the audience when they broke out in cheers as she sang the familiar line, “As we boarded a Greyhound in Pittsburgh.” She also was the lead voice on the lovely Peruvian folk song, “El Condor Pasa (If I Could),” with its memorable lines, “I’d rather be a hammer than a nail. Yes, I would, if I only could, I surely would.”…

And perhaps…as we move forward into what lies ahead, it may offer some solace to remind ourselves that, if nowhere else, we can always, always find and take joy from our musicians. Saturday night with the “Paul Simon Songbook” we feel we are off to a new beginning.” - Indiana Gazette

"Emily Drennan as Doatsey Mae (in the Best Little Whorehouse in Texas) gave the most memorable performance of the evening as she sang "Doatsey Mae." - Broadwayworld

"The divas in question were vocally gifted, attractive and vivacious. Rebecca Covington Webber, Emily Drennan and Shayna Steele, displayed awesome range and power in their singing, pizzazz in their choreography, and a spunky charm that effortlessly won the crowd’s hearts. They performed with intimate knowledge of the songs while adding their own modern vocal flourishes." - Long Beach Gazette

"Soprano soloist Emily Drennan [in her Lincoln Center debut]…was delightful with her passionate delivery throughout. Her voice is ideal for these pieces, from the child-like innocence of A Child is Gonna Come, to the unbridled joy of Go Sing it on the Mountain, but she saved her best for Star Eternal, which soared to the heavens." - New York Concert Review, Inc

“A neat Christmas-inspired piece which all sundry will enjoy.  Harmonic vocals, tight production, and crisp instruments make this album endlessly-playable.” – Wouter Kellerman, GRAMMY winner

“Emily Drennan’s Amneris (in AIDA) fascinates due to Ms. Drennan’s not using “My Strongest Suit” as Square One and flouncing through the role for easy laughs (though she is an appealing comedienne) but, rather, keeps Amneris’ untapped dignity in focus so that her opening and closing narration are consistent and believably linked…I cannot remember when was the last time I cried during a theatre performance, if at all, but I did so, here—and with pleasure.”– Carl A. Rossi, Theatre Mirror