Critics rave as Melissa trades the concert stage for a powerhouse theatrical turn at Bay Street in the Hamptons.
The reviews are in, and critics are officially falling in love with Melissa’s turn as James Cagney’s devoted Irish mother “Ma Cagney” in Cagney: The Musical. Portraying the fierce, loving matriarch raising her family on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, Melissa delivers a beautifully grounded performance that proves her stage presence is just as magnetic in a theater seat as it is in a concert hall.
Industry reviewers over at Hamptons point out that she beautifully “tugs on hearts”, while writers at 27east highlight her “loving dedication” as she anchors the family through early hardships and inspires her son to stand up for what’s right. The Times Square Chronicles also agree that she brings a brilliant, heartfelt depth to the stage. Melissa delivers one of the evening’s most generous performances as Ma Cagney. You will definitely be carrying the melodies of “Some Other Guy” and “When Your Heart Sings Out” with you long after the final curtain falls.
Melissa is proving once again that she can truly do it all, and stealing hearts along the way. Come for the high-energy tap dancing, but stay to see our favorite leading lady command the stage—though we always knew she could!
Photo: Lenny Stucker
Text: Lena Ringstad
Performance Dates & Tickets
The production runs from June 30 through July 26, 2026. Cagney the Musical tells the story of James Cagney’s rise from a New York street brawler to a silver-screen icon, featuring a high-energy score and plenty of tap dancing.
Location: Bay Street Theater, Sag Harbor, NY
Tickets: Available at Bay Street Theater, Sag Harbor or by calling 631-725-9500.