Review: Broadway's Linda Eder at the Scottish Rite Theater

Yes, composer Frank Wildhorn's Jekyll & Hyde had found a voice that was destined for great tunes, of which he wrote seemingly just for Linda Eder.  Few singers know their way around a Frank Wildhorn song like Linda.

Eventually with Broadway and Frank behind her, Ms. Eder went down her own path, collecting a loyal fan base and marching to a different drum with new songs, new musicians and new sounds from country/pop to her tribute to Judy Garland. 

Over the years Frank & Linda created a catalogue of songs, some from shows, others a collection of music from the heart waiting to be rediscovered. Six years later her latest album NOW is the first collaboration with Frank. Everyone hoped she would eventually work with the composer again and most people are pretty excited about this.

 On Saturday March 19^th The Scottish Rite Theater in Collingswood, NJ played host to Linda Eder and her incredible band as she once again takes her show on the road.

Opening the evening with "Bells of St. Paul", followed by "Not Gonna Fall" and "I Will Wait for You", Eder clearly commands these songs in splendid style. She jokes about being in only one Broadway show and then breaks into what is now called her signature song "Someone Like You" from Jekyll & Hyde.  She performs the playful/wacky "Mad Hatter" from Wildhorn's upcoming Broadway Show "Wonderland" and breaks right into an up tempo of "Charade".

The acoustics and seating at the Scottish Rite make this an ideal venue for this powerhouse vocalist who uses her incredible instrument to both raise the roof and brings chills to the audience with her wide vocal range and ever changing repertoire.  

Highlights of the night are the dramatic "No Finer Man" a Wildhorn/Bricusse tune from Cyrano de Bergerac, "A Woman in His Arms" a Wildhorn/Knighton song from Camille Claudel, a show where Linda fondly recalls playing the leading role. Both songs bring out the passion and sensitivity of the Austrian/Norwegian songstress.

Eder seems excitedly comfortable with these vintage Wildhorn songs as if they are exactly what she was meant to sing.  Breaking the pace, she offers Falling Slowly" from the movie "Once," beautifully backed by her violin and keyboard player, Allison Cornell on harmony. Again expanding her pop talents with a lovely rendition of Bryan Adams' "Everything I Do". 

Another concert favorite "Vienna" thrills the crowd. Linda dedicates "More Than Heaven" from the Now CD as a tribute to the victims of the devastating Japan earthquake touching the audience in a somber fashion. She finishes out the evening with the wonderful Billy Stein her pianist/musical director with a piano and vocal solo of "Valley of the Dolls", leaving the audience in awe of her incredible vocal talent and versatility as a singer.

The Band:  Piano/ Musical Director - Billy Stein Guitar - Peter Calo, Drums - Jerry Marotta, Bass - Zev Katz, Keyboards, Vocalist, Violinest - Allison Cornell

Song List: Bells of St Paul, I Will Wait For You, Not Gonna Fall This Time,  Someone Like you from Jekyll & Hyde, Mad Hatter from "Wonderland", Ordinary People (Brenda Russell / Frank Wildhorn), Falling Slowly, In The Heat of the Night from "Waiting for the Moon", Woman in His Arms from Camille Claudel, Charade,  Now (Frank Wildhorn/Maury Yeston), Everything I do, Blue skies, No Finer Man from Cyrano de Bergerac, Waiting for the Fall, What's Never Been Done Before from Camille Claudel, Vienna, Valley of the Doll

For more information about Linda Eder: www.lindaeder.com

For more information about the Scottish Rite Theater: http://www.ccparks.com/events/eventsbyvenue_list.php?vnu_id=13

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