"Emily Yancey shapes Florence's character through her singing: her clear, powerful upper register reveals Florence's determination while her impressive vocal control conveys emotional uncertainty... the intellectual and emotional aspects of the character fuse completely in a stunning performance."
- Anthony Chase, Theater Talk
"Emily Yancey delivers emotional excellence and powerful vocals as Florence Vassy, shining brightly when belting out “Nobody’s Side,” which was a true highlight of the evening, and her performance of “Someone Else’s Story” is stunning. [She] possesses both the emotional depth and vocal prowess to make her portrayal of Florence a triumph."
- Anthony Higgins, Buffalo Rising
"Emily Yancey gives a highly nuanced performance as Florence... [her] voice has power and lyricism that perfectly fits the pop heavy portions of the score, but softens and entrances in the quieter moments. Her "Heaven Help My Heart" and "Someone Else's Story" were captivating."
- Michael Rabice, Broadway World
"Emily Yancey is breathtaking as Florence... Her voice soars in the signature selections “Someone Else’s Story,” “Nobody’s Side,” and “Heaven Help My Heart.” When she encounters... Svetlana (Sydney Conrad) their “I Know Him So Well” duet is heart-breakingly beautiful. Their voices were so well paired and the emotion was so strong, it was a highlight for sure."
- Cherie Messore, Buffalo Theatre Guide
"Emily Yancey, who 10/10 blew away this audience member and those surrounding, melodiously gives us a range of feelings through her performances. “Someone Else’s Story,” where she showcased her vibrant emotions and acting abilities, audaciously makes this production of Chess resonate emotionally with audience members."
- Steven Maisonet, Born Buffalo
"Emily Yancey, who has clearly emerged as one of Buffalo’s foremost comic leading ladies, takes on Eliza, a woman who thinks she is sensible and grounded, but who is very clearly losing her grip, with hilarious, and at times arguably shameless, gusto."
- Anthony Chase, Theater Talk Buffalo
"Emily Yancey... gives a consistently animated performance... [she] throws herself enthusiastically into all of her roles... her beautiful work with the exquisitely written end of Act 2 speech is the tour de force of the evening... This is a masterful production."
- Gail Golden, Buffalo Rising
"Emily Yancey is at her best as modern Eliza... one neurotic laugh a minute. [Her] expressions and timing are impeccable... A near perfect night in the theatre."
- Cherie Messore, Buffalo Theatre Guide
"Zanna, played with great zeal by Emily Yancey...I always enjoy seeing [her] on stage... in musicals or plays... as Zanna, [she] practically steals the show. She goes full out, playing a flirty, fun, quirky woman. I loved the character’s unpredictable nature and watching the other characters' reactions to her and the audience’s. This is a great role for [her], and she is serving it well. "
- Anthony Higgins, Buffalo Rising
"Emily Yancey shines as Zanna, creating a character whose adorable and upbeat nature belies her struggles with addiction... followed by an epilogue so satisfying it brings the audience to its feet."
- Anthony Chase, Theater Talk
"[As] Zanna... Emily Yancey delivers her signature tenacious wit and bubbly energy. [She] continues to outdo herself, showcasing her talent."
- Steven Maisonet, Buffalo Born
"Emily Yancey’s performance convinces me that our theater community has rather underrated and underused her. She is remarkable... She sings like an angel and is achingly funny."
- Anthony Chase, The Buffalo News
"Emily Yancey’s leading performance is a revelation. She is a fine comedian with earned emotion and killer instincts. I can’t wait to see more of her work."
- Ben Siegel, The Buffalo News
"Emily Yancey is perfection as Betty Downer."
- Anthony Chase, Artvoice
"Emily Yancey offers her second great performance of the season, following a star turn in Alleyway’s 'Killer Rack.' Here she’s just as captivating, and by the play’s end, deeply moving."
- Ben Siegel, The Buffalo News
"...it is startling and wonderful when Emily Yancey, as South Carolina’s Edward Rutledge, unleashes her soaring soprano on the terrifying “Molasses to Rum.”"
- Anthony Chase, The Buffalo News
"Emily Yancey, who last season presented a full recital of classical and operatic arias at Buff State, is the “real deal” and brought the house down with the dark and brooding “Molasses to Rum”"
- Peter Hall, Buffalo Rising
"Emily Yancey... seems to float on stage as a radiant angel and sounds incredible. This girl can sing... it is very pleasant to hear when she does."
- Anthony Higgins, Buffalo Rising
"Emily Yancey, who played both Aunt Em and Glinda, the Good Witch, did a phenomenal job at differentiating her characters... a true pleasure to see on stage."
- Steven Maisonet, Born Buffalo
"...what did catch my eye: Emily Yancey as Glinda. I think that she's marvelous. She can have a quirky demeanor on stage, which I think is perfect for Glinda..."
- Anthony Chase, WBFO Theater Talk
"The cast is stupendous... Emily Yancey is daftly de-lic-i-ous Eileen Evergreen, the reluctant fiancé of Jimmy Winter... It's a real good time."
- Anthony Chase, Theatre Talk
"Emily Yancey’s super vocals and comedic acting as Eileen Evergreen provided many good laughs."
- Tony Zambito, Jazz Buffalo
"Emily Yancey...brings a little comic relief to the proceedings, but also expresses true concern...in a charmingly offbeat performance."
- Ann Marie Cusella, Welcome 716
"Emily Yancey brilliantly adds to her repertoire of wise-cracking gals as wanton Miss Scarlet."
- Anthony Chase, The Buffalo News
"Emily Yancey... is often cast in roles of women in extreme circumstances and, as expected, excels in her role of prostitute Kate. She also convincingly doubles as an old Jewish mother."
- Peter Hall, Buffalo Rising
"Good acting and superior ensemble singing among the four women...made this a most enjoyable show... A special nod goes to Emily Yancey who stepped in... and didn’t miss a beat."
- Peter Hall, Buffalo Rising
"Emily Yancey plays... to the hilt, never wavering from her desire to throw herself into any situation that might result in l’amour, and always on the lookout for new opportunities to use her many talents. She is a hoot."
- Ann Marie Cusella, Buffalo Vibe
"As Laurey, Emily Yancey is the picture of impetuousness and her voice is glorious on songs like “People Will Say We’re in Love” and “Out of My Dreams.”"
- Colin Dabkowski, The Buffalo News
"Hodel may be only one of five daughters, but actress Emily Yancey makes sure Tevye’s second in line for marriage delivers one of the stronger performances of the night."
- Matt Chandler, The Buffalo News
"...Soprano Emily Yancey is invaluable."
- Ted Hadley, The Buffalo News
"Emily Yancey [is] invaluable and grounded as Allison."
- Ted Hadley, The Buffalo News
"Emily Yancey, recently seen in bawdier roles in "Philosophus" and "Killer Rack," shows off less of her bosom and more of her exceptional brain as feminist eco-warrior Bianca..."
- Melinda Miller, The Buffalo News
"Emily Yancey adds quite a bit of energy to the title track with her soaring vocals that really get me to crank up the volume."
- Jeff Nixon