Nellie McKay Added to Lincoln Center's American Songbook Series - February 25

Lincoln Center's American Songbook, the acclaimed series devoted to the American popular song, has added singer-songwriter Nellie McKay to this season's roster. Ms. McKay made headlines in early January when her second CD, Pretty Little Head, was abruptly cancelled by her label, Columbia Records. She will perform songs from Pretty Little Head in her show for Lincoln Center, set for Saturday, February 25 at 8:30 PM in the Allen Room, located in Frederick P Rose Hall, Broadway and 60th Street, overlooking Central Park.

Early word on Pretty Little Head was strong. Spin Magazine said "a record as sophisticated as the self-produced Pretty Little Head is not only a testament to McKay's talent, it's also a tribute to her artistic sense." McKay will co-star in a new Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera which begins previews in late March. She made her American Songbook debut last season and will be part of the Loser's Lounge Tribute to Burt Bacharach on February 11 (see updated listing below). She has performed with Cyndi Lauper and k.d. lang, and has opened for Sting, the Barenaked Ladies, Alanis Morisette, and Lou Reed. Nellie's other stage credits include Lily in George F. Walker's The End of Civilization, Louison in Moliere's The Imaginary Invalid, and the Cuckoo Clock in Pinocchio.

TICKETS for Nellie McKay's American Songbook performances are $30, $40 or $55 and may be purchased via CenterCharge (212) 721-6500 and on Lincoln Center's website www.lincolncenter.org. Tickets can also be purchased at the Avery Fisher Hall and Alice Tully Box Offices (65th Street and Broadway), and at the Frederick P. Rose Hall Box Office (Broadway and 60th Street).

Since it was launched in 1999, American Songbook has been dedicated to celebrating the extraordinary achievements of the popular American songwriter from the turn of the 20th century to the present day. Spanning all styles and genres from Tin Pan Alley and Broadway to the eclecticism of today's singer-songwriters working in pop, cabaret, rock, folk and country, American Songbook traces the history and charts the course of the American song from its past and current forms to its future direction.