Q/A: Linda Balgord of 'Jerry Springer' Gets Down & Dirty

BroadwayWorld brings an exclusive "Down and Dirty" Q/A series with the cast of Jerry Springer The Opera in Concert... What's it like for these Broadway belters to perform the hilarious lyrics of such a potty-mouth and acclaimed production? What are these scandalous stars looking forward to?

Joining Harvey Keitel as "Jerry Springer" are Max von Essen as "Tremont," a transsexual involved in a love quadrangle, and Tony Award Nominee Emily Skinner as "Andrea," whose diaper-loving husband is having an affair with Baby Jane. Plus Linda Balgord as "Zandra, Irene & Mary," Lawrence Clayton as "Montel & Jesus," Luke Grooms as "Dwight & God," Sean Jennes as "Chucky," Sam Kitchin as "Steve," Patricia Phillips as "Peaches" and Laura Shoop as "Baby Jane."

Jerry Springer The Opera is inspired by America's most lurid TV talk show host who brought worldwide television audiences episodes including "Pregnant by a Transsexual," "Here Come the Hookers" and "I Refuse to Wear Clothes." The show opened in London to unprecedented rave reviews.

The smash hit London musical Jerry Springer The Opera will play Carnegie Hall (881 7th Avenue) for two nights only on January 29 and 30, 2008.

Linda Balgord (Zandra / Irene / Mary)

TV's "The Jerry Springer Show" hit the airwaves in 1991 and recently celebrated its 3,000th episode.  Over the years, it has established a cult following.  What, in your opinion, attracts people in droves to the talk show?

I believe that the talk show has been so wildly popular because we are all a bit voyeuristic.  This has become ever more obvious with the advent of reality television which is an outgrowth of this desire of humankind to be privy to that which might best remain private.

Do you watch "The Jerry Springer Show?"  Do you have a favorite topic or episode?

I have occasionally watched "The Jerry Springer Show."  I actually don't really like it when people are screaming at one another.  Open conflict makes me very uncomfortable.  I'm a nice midwestern girl!  I have, however, enjoyed the episodes where you have to guess if the glamorous "women" are really male or female.

What excites you most about being a part of the cast of Jerry Springer The Opera in Concert at Carnegie Hall?

This project excites me because it is an astonishing work.  It is demanding, outrageous and really funny.  There is something deliciously absurd about singing these lyrics at Carnegie Hall.

If you were to guest on "The Jerry Springer Show," what would the topic be?

If I were a guest on the show the topic might be: "MOST BORING WOMAN IN THE WORLD. FOUND!"

Tickets for Jerry Springer The Opera – In Concert are $175.00 - $59.00 and are available now through CarnegieCharge at (212) 247-7800 or www.carnegiehall.org or by visiting the Carnegie Hall box office (57th Street & 7th Avenue).  Performances are Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 8PM and Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 8PM