BWW Interviews: Stephanie Adlington

Friday, November 15th, The Absinthe Cabaret will have their first performance in the Grand Ballroom of The Hermitage Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. Headlining the performance will be Johnny Rodgers, also called The Ambassador of American Music, and local favorite Stephanie Adlington.

Stephanie has an impressive career and resume, and is known locally for starring in Always, Patsy Cline, as well as for her impressive performance schedule in and around Nashville. Despite her busy schedule, Ms. Adlington was kind enough to answer a few questions for us here at BroadwayWorld.com.

The tag line on The Absinthe Cabaret's website says "Where Broadway meets Country & Gospel meets Cabaret." How do you feel The Absinthe Cabaret is bridging a gap in the Nashville music scene?

Absinthe Cabaret is filling a huge hole in the Nashville music scene. Though Nashville is called "Music City" we are currently lacking a venue for more jazz, torchsong, cabaret, and broadway genre. Absinthe Cabaret will provide artists, both out of town and local, the opportunity to perform their music to an enthusiastic crowd very eager for something different. Also, as Absinthe Cabaret has teamed up with the Historic Hermitage Hotel it is also helping to connect Nashville's music scene with downtown's wonderful history and culture. It's a terrific fit!

You have quite the impressive resume, including spending time studying at Carnegie-Mellon University, Eastman School of Music, and London's Royal Academy of Music. Do you feel that any particular school or training impacted your style of music the most?

Living abroad provided a fantastic experience for me. London is a melting pot of culture and I was very blessed to study with amazing artists and teachers, and observe outstanding performances from the best in the business. Whether it was drama, music, dance, etc, it deeply impacted my own creative way of expression. It also made me miss the American South and the roots music I grew up with. I think living abroad allowed me to see the importance of my own sense of place and it definitely shapes my songwriting and musical style.

Share with us about your first performance in front of an audience.

In the 5th grade I was cast as the Indian Princess in "How the West Was Really Won" and I had a song solo. My Mom made my costume and I was so scared I held on to the dress with both hands at my side and swayed back and forth. I still remember the song. It was called "The Iron Horse" and it was in a minor key. Good times!

We're giving you a wish. You get to perform with anyone you want, dead or alive. Who would it be and what song would you perform?

I would probably want to sing with Frank Sinatra. That man had such a swagger and confidence it makes me melt! His tone quality was exceptional and his phrasing was very conversational and real. He could make you feel many different emotions all at once. My favorite song of all time is "All The Way" because the lyrics express everything that ever needs to be said. I think that would be a nice duet.

You've studied music and worked all over the world. What do you feel sets Nashville apart from other areas?

Nashville, in my opinion, has the finest musicians in the world. They can play anything and they live to make music. You can hear it all over town any hour of the day. I've even gigged at the Nashville airport! Music is everywhere and that's how we like it.

If you could go back and re-live a moment in your career, what would it be?

In December of 2011 my cousin, Jimmy Corrothers, organized a Christmas Sing in our old hometown of Grafton, WV, at the Mother's Day Shrine. Jimmy passed away the following August. Had I of known that would be the last time we would ever sing together I would have asked to sing 100 duets.

What would you tell our readers to expect if they attend the November 15th Absinthe Cabaret performance with Johnny Rodgers?

It will be a swanky affair! Great legendary tunes, wonderful singing, amazing musicians, and the absolutely gorgeous Hermitage Hotel Grand Ballroom. It's a performance not to be missed.

You can purchase tickets for Friday's performance by visiting The Absinthe Cabaret online. For more information about Stephanie Adlington visit her website. For information about Friday's performance, you can also read the press release previously released on BroadwayWorld.com