Oh My Nellie Bly

The musical tells the story of Nellie Bly, America’s first female journalist. In a profession dominated by men, in the late 19th century, Nellie was determined not only to join the profession but to become one of its brightest lights.

To get herself noticed, Nellie undertook a series of daring and outrageous stunts, including committing herself to New York’s infamous insane asylum on Blackwell’s Island. The subsequent articles and book she wrote about her experiences forced the authorities to radically reform the asylum system.

In 1889 Nellie undertook her most famous and seemingly impossible stunt – a solo journey around the world to try to beat the 80 days taken in Jules Verne’s famous novel. After many exotic adventures, she returned triumphant to New York in just 72 days.

By turns comic and tragic this is the story of a woman who opened a door previously closed to all women: the story of a brave pioneer who sacrificed love and happiness to achieve her ambition.