Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Thrilling vocals course through LINDA EDER’s pop, jazz, and Broadway-infused set at 54 Below

• By drediman
• February 25, 2025
• No Comments

Last night, I had the great privilege of attending Linda Eder’s popular cabaret show at 54 Below, her go-to venue to play when touring New York. For those unfamiliar with the singer, she is the longtime muse (and eventual wife) of prolific musical theater composer Frank Wildhorn. In 1997, she originated the role of Lucy on Broadway in Jekyll & Hyde — arguably Wildhorn’s most well known and successful musical — after having sung the part on the concept album. Since then, she has become a recording artist of note and has also diligently shaped herself into an A-list cabaret artist.

Few can deny the visceral excitement of hearing Eder sing live, especially in intimate cabaret clubs such as 54 Below. Although she clearly vocally channels both Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand, her sound is uniquely her own — a full throated belt that can disarmingly flip to creamy head voice on a dime. Over the years, she’s also acquired comfort across various genres of music, which was evident during Monday night’s show. Indeed, her set list seamlessly straddled both popular standards — often performed with jazzy flair — and an eclectic selection from the musical theater songbook, which she put across with a fascinating combination of thrilling vitality and a “throwaway” kind of ease. Some highlights included a soulful rendition of Burt Bacharach’s “Alfie”, a triumphant “Before the Parade Passes By” from Jerry Herman’s Hello, Dolly!, and a show-stopping “As If We Never Said Goodbye” from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard. Unsurprisingly, she concluded the evening with a soaring fashion with “Someone Like You”, her anthemic signature song from Wildhorn’s Jekyll and Hyde.

Suffice to say, Eder was in fine voice throughout — effortlessly cementing her reputation as a vocal virtuoso and a seasoned professional. Although she largely stayed within her comfort zone, once in a while she tried something new, as in her tender and straightforward delivery of “No One Is Alone” from Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods. Overall, the singer had an easy vibe about her, appeasing her fans with laidback banter and appealingly presenting herself as a sort of Everywoman. Backing her was an exceptional musical ensemble, which included in-demand music director Billy Stritch on keys, Aaron Heick on woodwinds, David Fink on bass, and Eric Halvorson on drums.

RECOMMENDED

LINDA EDER
Cabaret
54 Below
1 hour, 15 minutes (without an intermission)
Also on March 16