Emily K. Herring takes to the CAT Cabaret stage to sing the music of Patsy Cline

Singer, actor, teacher and music director Emily K. Herring has been a fixture on stages around Alabama, in New York and beyond. One of her shows, “Always … Patsy Cline,” has spawned a concert show in which she sings the music of the country legend. She’s bringing her show, “The Music of Patsy Cline,” to the CAT Cabaret this weekend. Here, she shares her journey — from growing up in a musical Mobile home to playing iconic roles like Mother Abbess and,  yes,  Patsy Cline.

Tell me a little about yourself, just basic biographical information.

I am the second child of four from Mobile. My father was a veterinarian and my mom, a homemaker. We grew up in a house filled with music and lots of love. My dad loved to play his stereo (all styles) and listen to us practice the piano. We all took piano and my mom is a beautiful pianist. So my childhood was filled with non-stop music: at church, in a playhouse, recitals and with our grand piano and stereo at home. I began formal singing lessons at the University of South Alabama when I was 11. I mostly studied classical music, but occasionally my teacher let me sing church music or classic musical theatre. After graduating St. Paul’s Episcopal (the year I was Mobile County’s Junior Miss) I went to Southern Miss on a vocal scholarship. I continued with my master’s degree at the University of Tennessee. After graduation, I began my musical theater career, singing showtunes at an outdoor dinner theater in Pennsylvania. I then went on to perform on cruise ships, regional theater, national tours and a sit-down revue show in Athens, Greece. While living in New York City auditioning for the next gig, I began my teaching career at AMDA (American Musical and Dramatic Academy). This led to many more teaching jobs in Alabama: Birmingham-Southern, UA, UAB, Montevallo, Daphne High School, Foley High School and Bayshore Classical Christian School. I currently live in Fairhope with my 10-year-old maltipoo, Maisy. I enjoy teaching in my private voice studio, being a music director for high schools in Baldwin County, and the occasional singing gig.

What’s your first memory of being on stage?

Well, my first musical was “The Wizard of Oz” at Pixie Playhouse — a children’s theater in Mobile. I was a munchkin. My mom made my costume, flower-pot hat included. My first “major” role (haha) was Pepper in “Annie” at the same theater. I will never forget my mom teasing my hair and coloring dirt and bruises on my face and arms right before the curtain opened. The bug had bit. But I sure wasn’t going to play a tomboy again … alas, my next role was Tiger Lily!

How was the move to New York?

I moved to NYC in the late ’90s when we had black-and-white headshots that cost close to $1,000. I remember getting three jobs my first week there: hostess, temp at a law firm and babysitter. I auditioned every chance I could for non-Equity shows. My first show was “Into the Woods” in Brooklyn. It was a tiny theater but was considered Off-Off-Broadway. I got my dream role, Cinderella! We didn’t think anyone would come see our little show, but to our surprise a young casting director came to support her friend. A few months later, I was cast as Mother Abbess on the national tour of “The Sound of Music” with Barry Williams. (She is now one of the top casting directors with Bernie Telsey in NYC.) Everything you did mattered in NY — I never turned down an invitation or chance to meet everyone I could in the industry. I remember walking out the door each day with a smile on my face and a pep in my step. Oh, the possibilities! Life was good.

What’s your favorite role you’ve played or show you’ve been in?

“Mother” in “Ragtime” (and “Mother Abbess” in “The Sound of Music,” a close second).

When did you first play Patsy Cline, and what is your history with that show?

It was 2010 when Norton Dill contacted me and said he would like for me to play Patsy Cline in “Always … Patsy Cline” at Virginia Samford Theatre. I was a trained coloratura and didn’t even listen to much country. I was flattered, but unsure I could pull it off. I told him I would work on “Crazy” and a few other songs and he could come over and listen to them — I wanted to do her justice. Needless to say, I fell in love with her voice and these short but powerful songs, and he hired me on the spot. If anything, I’m a perfectionist and stubborn so I was going to give it all I had. Since my Patsy debut in January 2011, I have performed her music many times all over the state in my one-woman show. I also did “Always … Patsy Cline” again at Virginia Samford with Norton Dill and Celeste Burnum in 2019.

Have you done an evening of her songs like this before? What brought this new show up?

Central Alabama Theater is near and dear to my heart. What Carl Peoples is doing for the Birmingham community is truly special. These cabarets give artists a chance to tell their stories or just sing their favorite tunes to a smaller audience in an intimate atmosphere. It’s an interactive experience for the artist and the audience. I have performed this show once before at CAT Cabaret back in 2017. I thought I was hanging up my hat and then Carl called and said they want me back! I’m so excited to share these songs again with my Birmingham friends and family.

What can people expect if they come to the show?

They can expect to step back in time to the ’50s! I have picked out Patsy’s very best hits and will do my best to channel her vocal cry, yodel and her heartfelt singing! I have Michael King on keys and vocals, and Jim Burford on guitar and slide. Also, Celeste “Lessie” Burnum will sing a couple of tunes with me. After all, she was Louise to my Patsy, twice!

Is this rare for you to perform these days? Are you performing a lot in Fairhope?

Since leaving NYC in 2022 for the Gulf Coast, I have not had many opportunities to sing in shows but have had fun singing “gigs” here and there: restaurants, private events, church, concerts and nursing homes.

Who are your favorite composers?

Richard Rodgers, Frank Wildhorn, Sondheim.

Who are your favorite playwrights?

Tennessee Williams, Terrence McNally.

Do you have a favorite show?

“42nd Street,” “Les Miserables,” “Aida,” “Waitress,” “The Sound of Music.” …  so many!

Do you have a favorite song from a show?

“Climb Ev’ry Mountain” and “Back to Before” and “The Boy From” are my favorite songs I’ve sung in a show. But one of my favorite songs from all musicals (tough question) is “One Day More” from “Les Miserables.”

What’s a performance (on stage or screen) that sticks out to you as an audience member?

I saw “Company” in 2022, and one of the large picture frames fell on Katrina Lenk. She was OK, but it scared all of us. They all left the stage, and the house lights came on. While we waited for it to resume (we were hoping!) some cast members came out and entertained us with jokes and songs. It was brilliant. (It’s probably a good thing Miss LuPone was out that night.) The show continued about 30 minutes later, and the house was filled with thunderous applause!

What is a role you wish you will or could have played?

Margaret in “The Light in the Piazza,” Helen in “Fun Home,” Desiree Armfeldt in “A Little Night Music,” Baker’s Wife in “Into the Woods,” Norma in “Sunset Boulevard,” Velma in “Hairspray,” to name a few!

Any great advice you’ve been given by a director or anyone else about being on stage?

“Try not singing so much…” Referring to speak-singing verses, making it too pretty or having vibrato. I choose to say it differently to my voice students. Haha,

Do you have any pre-performance rituals?

Stretching/yoga, praying, vocal exercises, Ricola cough drops, sipping hot water/steaming. Also, I have to have an Altoid right before I sing!

Tell me about a time something went wrong on stage.

Red Mountain Theatre’s “Mary Poppins” in 2015, I was playing Mrs. Banks and I was about to begin singing “Being Mrs. Banks” (and was the only actor onstage) and the power went out… I hear, “Actors, leave the stage.” I was so “in the moment” and in shock, and thought, wait, really leave the stage and stop the show? I believe it was about 15 minutes later, they rolled out a grand piano onto the stage and we continued the show. (I honestly don’t remember if a generator kicked in or not… I was asking cast members the details, but they can’t remember either.) On tour with “Kiss Me, Kate,” we were in a theater in Georgia (no names) and there was so much dust in the air that I basically needed to cough through the entire song “So In Love.” It was awful! I literally could see it flying around in the air… we guessed the thick curtains hadn’t been used (or cleaned) in a while.

Tell me something people might be surprised to know about you.

I am currently an elementary music teacher at a private, classical Christian school in Fairhope. I was named after our governor, Kay Ivey — Emily Kay. Her first husband was in vet school with my dad at Auburn. She was one of the first people to hold me as a newborn. I lived in Athens, Greece, and performed “The Magic of Musicals” for four months at the turn of the millennium. I studied voice with the legendary Marni Nixon and was writing a show with her for both of us to perform when she passed away.

What kind of music do you listen to when you’re not performing?

Depends on the day; usually show tunes, jazz, or singer-songwriters like Brandi Carlisle, Sara Bareilles.

What’s the last book you read?

“Rock Your Midlife”!

What’s the last TV series you binged?

“The Handmaid’s Tale.”

What’s next for you?

Good question. I will continue teaching in my private voice studio and music directing for high-school theater programs next school year. But I’d really love to find a spot somewhere to sing jazz with a guitarist or pianist along the Eastern Shore.

Emily K. Herring, singing “The Music of Patsy Cline,” May 17 at 7:30 p.m., CAT Cabaret, Steeple Arts Academy in Crestline Village.