www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 20, 2003 Q1 Q_COVERstory Linda Eder: Down-to-Earth Star with a Heavenly Voice Singing Sensation to Perform at Broward Center on Halloween By Mary Damiano Eder went on the television talent show Star on Star Search, and while the experience gave Jake, live in suburban New York. She puts her Arts & Entertainment Editor Search. Eder was a hit, even though the show’s her career a big boost, Star Search was family first—she will only work a set number When Linda Eder agreed to perform at premise—being judged—was nerve-wracking. important to Eder for a more personal reason: of days each month, and she won’t tour, Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort “The performing is bad enough if you’re It was where she met talent consultant and preferring to fly home between concerts. On Lauderdale on Friday, Oct. 31, the significance nervous, but to compete and to be judged while composer Frank Wildhorn, the man whose rare occasions, she will perform three nights in of the date slipped her mind. you’re competing is not comfortable at all,” music would define Eder’s career and who a row, but usually limits it to two. “I’d rather fly “I wasn’t thinking Halloween,” she says. Eder says. “Fortunately I never had to lose.” would become her husband. out for a single show or a two-nighter and “I’m bummed because I can’t take Jake trick- Eder recognizes that Star Search was a At the time they met, Wildhorn was then fly back because I don’t want to be gone or-treating.” sort of precursor to American Idol, a show working on a musical version of the story of that long,” she says. Jake traveled with Eder While Eder may be disappointed that she she appreciates but doesn’t agree with. “It’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. In Eder, he saw the when he was a baby, and she recalls can’t spend that night with her 4-year-old son, much more entertaining for audiences, but it’s perfect person to play Lucy, the nightclub breastfeeding during intermissions. fans can be assured that Eder’s heart will be in based on cruelty, which I don’t like,” she says. singer who falls under the spell of both Jekyll In addition to her career and family, Eder her performance. Linda Eder believes in giving “It’s hard enough to get up there and do that, and Hyde. After a national tour, Jekyll & likes to paint and draw, and considered her all to whatever she does, whether it’s and they’re also going after such young Hyde—and Linda Eder—opened on Broadway becoming an artist before pursuing singing. singing to a sold-out house or being a wife people. These kids aren’t prepared for what in April 1997. Broadway barely knew what hit She loves home improvement projects and and mom. The Halloween concert is a perfect they’re going through. The psychological it. does everything she can, she says, except the illustration of Eder’s life: Suburban mom by damage that Simon is inflicting on these people Eder was an immediate success and things she absolutely can’t do. She also loves day, glamorous star by night. But Eder has is terrible. I like the fact that it’s opened some received glowing reviews for her role in the horses. Eder has four horses and is grooming managed not only to integrate those two sides doors for these people, but a lot of other show, which ran for four years. In 1998, she one for dressage, a discipline that requires a of her life but also to enjoy a soaring career people have paid a price.” and Wildhorn married. Their personal and lot of training between rider and horse. while putting her family first. Eder enjoyed a 13-week undefeated run professional collaboration has become an Eder plans to return to Broadway with “The one side of me is so average and inspiration for both of them. Camille Claudel, a musical based on the life normal,” Eder says. “It just so happens that I “What he likes the best is really what I of the French sculptress at the turn of the 20th have a talent that I was able to get up there sing the best, so in that sense, musically, it’s a century in France. Claudel’s own talents were and hone, and I really enjoy it, and something marriage made in heaven,” she says. “He can overshadowed by that of her lover, Auguste kind of clicks and comes alive in front of the help me by giving me these great original songs, Rodin. audience. That’s my job. But I’m not your and I can help him by being able to interpret The show recently enjoyed a run at the entertainer mentality. I’m too ordinary, I guess.” them and bringing something to them.” Goodspeed Theatre in Connecticut. “It’s very This ordinary woman has had But there are drawbacks to living with the operatic in it’s scope,” Eder says. “We’re extraordinary success. Eder has just released person you work with. “Frank can work 24/7, hoping to get there for this season, which her second album of the year, Storybook, a and I can do anything but work,” Eder says. “I would mean previews around April.” diverse collection of songs ranging from her have a million interests and am not anywhere Eder would love to expand her career to composer husband’s big band-tinged numbers near as motivated or ambitious as he is.” include film and wants to one day make a to Broadway showstoppers to classic ballads. Eder gained exposure outside of New romantic comedy. She would also like to do In February, she released Broadway My Way, York when Rosie O’Donnell and Kathy Lee more acting, and take on a straight role in a a collection of Eder’s favorite songs from the Gifford each attended one of her Carnegie play that doesn’t involve singing. Great White Way. She’s an in-demand Hall concerts. Both talk show hosts For now, though, Linda Eder continues performer with the luxury of deciding just how raved about Eder on air, and then to excel at juggling her roles as entertainer with often she will work. And she’s currently invited her to be a guest on their being a wife and mother. And her career so far working on a new Broadway show, based on shows. Those appearances gained has taught her to keep her priorities straight. the life of French sculptress Camille Claudel. Eder lots of new fans, including “I was very ambitious when I was Eder grew up in Minnesota, and at the many in the gay community, younger, but I’ve reached a level of success age of 8, she decided she wanted to be a singer. whose support she appreciates. I’d never dreamed of, and realized quickly that The catalyst of Eder’s decision was seeing “If you’re a singer, what you want that kind of thing isn’t what makes you happy,” Judy Garland do “Over the Rainbow” in The is to know you’re being Eder says. “Now my challenge is to balance it Wizard of Oz. Eder still looks up to Garland. appreciated, and there’s no and find time. People always ask what I want. I “She’s an idol, and it’s not just her voice, denying that for whatever reason, just want more time.” it’s her performing style, her give-it-all- gay fans are very vocal and you-got kind of a thing,” she says. appreciative, and they let you know After winning a beauty pageant it,”she says. Linda Eder will perform at Broward at 16, Eder graduated high school For all of her success, this Center for the Performing Arts on and hit the nightclub circuit. After Broadway baby is a homebody at Friday, Oct. 31, at 8 p.m. For more about seven years of touring, heart. Eder, Wildhorn and their son, information, call 954.522.0222. Q2 www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 20, 2003 www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 20, 2003 Q3 Q4 www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 20, 2003 Q_CULTURAL COCKTAIL By Mary Damiano Ft. Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus Is Better than Ever Second Annual Madrigal Feast Captivates Audience in Old English Castle Setting Lighting was dim and cozy, lending an air of discussions, was filled with a mostly male to purchase tickets. Ross Carson of the Gay Men’s Chorus intimacy to this big event. The chorus crowd eager for Leddick to read passages Dining by Design is a wonderful annual members donned period costumes, some from the book and detail his experiences event that takes place this Thursday, Oct. quite elaborate, for the show, and served a writing the book. Sprinkled throughout the 23, at the Moore Building in Miami’s Design delicious dinner catered by Costello’s, to the discussion were Leddick’s own pearls of District. Hundreds of guests will be served a several hundred people who attended. wisdom about life: In order to live your life to gourmet dinner at elaborate three- The evening had all the trimmings—an the fullest you have to go for it, whatever dimensional tables created by 50 different enthusiastic and campy royal court, the that “it” is to you, and his belief that in renowned and award-winning designers. presentation of the food preceded by a relationships, compatibility is overrated but Dining by Design raises money for various whimsical take on the taxidermy boar’s head being nuts about the other person is crucial.