"M'Lynn, Shelby's mother and friend of the other women, is played perfectly by Nancy Hays, who accurately shows the delicate balance of love, pride and fear, mothers have for their children." 
Sammantha Pidde,
My Carroll County News
​Steel Magnolias
​​​"Nancy Hays nearly threatens to walk off with the show wrapped around a come-hither finger with her turn as Biggley’s bimbo mistress Hedy LaRue...”
​Patrick O’Brien, Chicagoland Musical Theater Review

​
​“Nancy Hays nails Hedy’s voice while playing her lovable enough to avoid the groan-worthy stereotype of office bombshell”
Ellen Beth Gill,
Splash Magazine Review


​"Nancy Hays, another Music Theater Works alum, is delicious as sexy Hedy La Rue... Ms. Hays plays Hedy as if the role had been written expressly for her. As foxy as she is beautiful, Nancy, who practically erupts out of her low-cut dresses, makes the most of her physical prowess, mining comedy from every line and movement. Her schmaltzy duet with Rapp, “Love From a Heart of Gold,” becomes a sweetly welcome moment of sincerity, in a show stuffed with so much broad comedy.​
​Colin Douglass,
​Chicago Theater Review
"The Divine Miss M. is played by the terrific Nancy Hays"
​Chris Jones, CBS TV News Chicago
"As for Hays, her performance was especially stellar when it came to the play's more serious and dramatic scenes. In fact, the woman seated next to me began to sob uncontrollably during the parts in which Hays was lamenting her daughter’s circumstances." 
Robert Harling,
River Cities Reader Review
​Steel Magnolias
“The very sexy Nancy Hays as Hedy LaRue
​(she is a delight).”
Alan Bresloff, Around Town Chicago​
“As the odd woman out, skilled comedienne Nancy Hays turns Ruth into a fairly nice nemesis”
Lawrence Bommer, Stage and Cinema Review, The Pirates of Penzance 
"Nancy Hays’ Amanda is strong and bombastic when necessary, but knows precisely when to slip on the sticky, southern charm. Much like the recent revival that starred Sally Fields, Ms. Hays’ best scenes are her conversational, telemarketing monologues with her friends, along with her melodramatic, mock flirtation with the Gentleman Caller. This is when Nancy Hays truly shines as Tennessee Williams’ fading southern belle... Once on a roll, particularly when lecturing Tom, this actress absolutely commands the stage". 
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Colin Douglas, Chicago Theatre Review 


​​“A comic touch by the delightful Nancy Hays”
​Alan Bresloff, Around Town Chicago Review, The Pirates of Penzance

"Hays did a wonderful job emulating a tumultuous mother-and-daughter relationship while also convincing us of her unconditional love for her daughter"
Robert Harling,
River Cities Reader Review
​Steel Magnolias
"Hays and Lauto captured nuance after nuance, detail after detail in phrasing, gestures, asides, hugs and hurrahs of Garland and Liza. Very impressive. 
​Hays had plenty of persona down to bring us up to our feet to cheer"  
Rob Lester, NYC Nite Life Exchange Review of Once In A Lifetime
“A central performance from Nancy Hays that emphasizes vocal style and finesse. As Mames go, Hays' interpretation is heavier on survival and determination, which works for me particularly when Patrick grows up and Justin Adair, takes to the stage. The pair quickly forge a very moving relationship.” 
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune
"In the starring role of Auntie Mame, Nancy Hays is terrific. Ms. Hays, has a gorgeous, velvety voice and a captivating smile. Graceful and svelte in her every move. As a singer and dancer, Ms. Hays is sensational, belting out brassy tunes like “It’s Today,” “Open a New Window,” “That’s How Young I Feel” and, in her finest, most truthful moment, the soul-searching torch song, “If He Walked into My Life." 
Chicago Theatre Review by Colin Douglas


​"Nancy Hays is an outstanding singer, dancer, and actress. Hays has a versatility-testing role. She not only sings and reprises more than a half dozen songs, she dances the tango, cakewalk, Charleston, and lindy hop in fine style. And Hays doesn’t fake her hoofing, relying on a talented chorus to carry her. She high steps with her own skill set." 
Chicago Theatre Review by Dan Zeff
"I am happy to report that Nancy Hays, as Mame Dennis, is  a fabulous Mame. Nancy Hays charismatic, charming and in command of all that presents to her. She lives live to its fullest. She captures the nature of this rare soul who displays an unstinting love of her young nephew, “opening windows” of experience for him by defying convention. It is a very demanding role, as Mame is onstage in nearly every scene. Nancy Hays makes Mame hers."
Chicago Critic, Tom Williams
“The leading lady of Light Opera Works's 50th-anniversary revival of the show, belter Nancy Hays, looks good and sounds great”
Chicago Reader by Albert Williams
“Running the Mame gauntlet from the pizzazz of “Open a New Window” to the heartbreak of “If He Walked Into My Life” (one of Herman’s best), Hays never drops her energy. She can hoof up a storm to Clayton Cross’s spirited choreography or go goofy in the disastrous “The Moon Song” production fiasco”. 
Stage and Cinema by Lawrence Bommer
"Nancy Hays is a powerful Judy Garland" 
Around Town Chicago, Alan Bresloff
Peter Allen also briefly became the “boy toy” of the unsteady, love-wounded Garland (ideally embodied, rather than imitated, by Nancy Hays).
Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times review of The Boy from Oz.

"Cabaret star Nancy Hays is sensational as Garland"
NWI Times, Phil Potempa
"Galvanic support comes from cabaret star Nancy Hays as a wonderfully convincing Judy Garland: Her hair-trigger vulnerability ("All I Wanted Was the Dream") exposes the edge to every emotion. (Her stewardship was never more sardonic than in the glibly grandiloquent "Only an Older Woman."
Lawrence Bommer, Stage and Cinema Review of The Boy From Oz
"As Judy Garland, Nancy Hays is terrific. Returning to her theatrical roots, Ms. Hays has a fantastic, professional voice. She’s matched by Michelle Lauto in her portrayal of Liza Minnelli. Both eschew the temptation to play their iconic roles as caricatures, while still portraying the essence of these women. The mannerisms, the voices, the demeanor and charisma are all there, with both actresses almost stealing the show". ​
Colin Douglass, Chicago Theatre and Concert Review of The Boy From Oz