“Completely Transcendent!” Linda Eder LIVE! at BergenPAC

It’s practically 80 levels in Englewood, NJ, this heat November 6, 2022 night as music lovers enter BergenPAC’s gleaming new foyer for a heartfelt night of music by Broadway actress and recording star Linda Eder.

Contained in the beautifully-renovated BergenPAC auditorium — that includes new theater seats, carpeting, and an improved sound system and acoustics — the stage is about with a grand piano, a stand-up bass, a drum set, an digital keyboard, and various wind devices.

The home lights dim and the kids who comprise the BergenPAC Particular Occasions Choir entertain tonight’s viewers with a choice of Broadway and pop songs full with piano accompaniment.

Brimming with confidence and expertise, the kids’ pleasure for music and theater shines via their efficiency.

Following a brief intermission, the gang applauds as 5 musicians — pianist Billy Stritch, bassist David Finck, keyboardist James Olmsted, drummer Eric Halvorson, and saxophonist Aaron Heick — take their locations on the stage.

Stritch proclaims, “Please welcome Linda Eder!” and music lovers cheer and applaud as they rise to their toes. Wanting fashionable in her black ensemble, Eder smiles as she appears out over the gang earlier than graciously bowing and cueing the band to start tonight’s present with a swinging rendition of “Virtually Like Being In Love.”

Singing, “What a day this has been/What a uncommon temper I’m in,” Eder’s easy vocal fills the BergenPAC auditorium on this uptempo association which transitions right into a jazzy model of “This Can’t Be Love.” Holding out a protracted word because the association slows, Eder’s voice soars with energy and feeling earlier than she hits a excessive word on the finish which is greeted by enthusiastic cheers and applause.

“Thanks!” exclaims Eder, joking, “It’s so good to again on this pretty venue on the primary day of summer time!” Explaining that her present tour options tributes to a number of of her favourite artists, Eder reveals her opening medley to be her personal private tribute to Judy Garland.

Following a countrified model of Patsy Cline’s “Candy Dream” and an uptempo energy ballad association of Connie Francis’s “The place the Boys Are,” Eder declares, “We are able to’t do a live performance that has tribute songs with out doing one which has this man in it!” Right here, Eder launches into her interpretation of Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon.”

Aaron Heick solos on tenor sax and music lovers’ toes faucet on this swinging association which ends with Stritch taking part in a Rely Basie three-chord piano ending.

“That was enjoyable!” exclaims Eder, earlier than asserting, “How a couple of shout out to the choir?” and joking, “I’d give something to be that age once more!”

Eder introduces her musical director, Billy Stritch, acknowledging, “He’s a beautiful singer.” Crooning in concord, Eder and Stritch’s voices mix completely as they carry out Kay Starr’s “Facet by Facet” collectively.

Eder takes a seat on a stool, explaining, “I can’t sing this track standing up.” Bowed bass, flute, and piano mix to assist Eder’s flawless vocal on “Deliver Him Residence” from Les Miserables. Her legato bell-like voice ringing out true and clear, Eder holds pure tones out as if portray together with her voice, bringing the gang to its toes. Clearly moved by the track, Eder explains her emotion, revealing, “After I sing this track, I consider Jake; I’ve to attempt to not take into consideration my son.”

Eder presents a tribute to Olivia Newton-John together with her wealthy, full interpretation of “I Truthfully Love You,” and follows up with “Earlier than the Parade Passes By,” a tribute to Barbra Streisand that begins slowly then picks up into an uptempo march. Aaron Heick performs piccolo on this dynamic association which has viewers members’ heads bopping and toes tapping. The group cheers for Eder and Co.’s spirited efficiency.

Lights swirl on the auditorium partitions and ceiling throughout Eder’s rendition of Sundown Boulevard’s “As If We By no means Stated Goodbye” the place lush instrumentals present a cushion for Eder’s voice to drift on after which soar above.

Eder introduces world-class bassist David Finck, acknowledging, “It is a track we love to do collectively.” Finck’s sluggish, sensual bass line introduces “Stormy Climate.” Bending strings as Eder’s uncovered voice bends together with the bass, band members take part with tinkling piano keys, wailing sax, electrical keys, and regular drums, earlier than Eder holds out a protracted word whereas Finck plunks away beneath her sultry vocal.

Eder impresses the gang as she effortlessly croons, “One thing at all times brings me again to you,” on Sara Bareilles’ “Gravity,” and she or he follows up with “a really gentle nation duet with Billy” on “Carry You Residence,” a tribute to nation music icon, Loretta Lynn.

Revealing, “I can by no means take this one out of my present — it’s a fantastic track,” Eder launches into “Somebody Like You” from Jekyll and Hyde. Crying, “If somebody such as you/Discovered somebody like me/Then abruptly/Nothing would ever be the identical,” Eder sings from the guts together with her extraordinary expertise and touches music lovers within the crowd who leap to their toes applauding on the finish.

Eder explains to the viewers, “I did some grasp courses throughout the pandemic and one scholar particularly stands out. Let’s convey out Gianna Grosso from New Jersey!” Grosso and Eder take turns singing with emotion on “In His Eyes,” a duet from Jekyll and Hyde, in a efficiency which has viewers members standing and applauding for the 2 musical divas.

Eder graciously provides her scholar a chance to shine within the highlight as Grosso delivers a dynamic solo interpretation of “A Change in Me” from Broadway’s Magnificence and the Beast.

The group bursts into applause, Eder returns to the stage, and Grosso acknowledges, “I can’t consider that simply occurred! Linda Eder’s legendary voice is my favourite voice on the earth!” earlier than Eder replies, “You’re going locations, child!”

Aaron Heick solos on sax beneath crimson sizzling lights as Eder sings Lesley Gore’s “You Don’t Personal Me,” and Eder invitations the viewers to sing alongside together with her on a soulful rendition of Dusty Springfield’s “Son of a Preacher Man.” She follows up with a medley of Judy Garland staples together with “Come Rain or Come Shine,” “San Francisco,” and “The Trolley Tune,” which elicits avid cheers and applause from the gang.

Following her Latin-inspired rendition of Shirley Bassey’s “Charade,” Eder introduces the members of her band and launches into an beautiful rendition of her energy ballad, “Vienna,” which has viewers members enthusiastically responding with a standing ovation.

To conclude tonight’s present, Aaron Heick’s saxophone introduces Eder’s highly effective Latin-style association of “Man of La Mancha” the place Eder sings excessive and free, her voice hovering on the climax of the quantity on a lingering excessive word which she executes with perfection.

A roar of cheers from the gang brings folks to their toes wanting extra as Eder takes a bow and exits.

Eder retakes the stage for an encore of Judy Garland’s “Over the Rainbow,” that includes solely piano and voice. Stritch makes the piano sound like an orchestra and Eder provides a grasp class in vocal approach and expression — each phrase crystal clear, sung with intention, and that includes an excellent tone. On the conclulsion, the viewers leaps to its toes as Eder blows a kiss and waves goodnight.

As viewers members make their approach out of the auditorium, we chat with a number of who share their ideas about Linda Eder’s live performance tonight. Whereas Anne from Flanders calls Eder’s efficiency “Fabulous!” and Gina from Woodbridge characterizes it as “Wonderful,” Eddie from Flanders remarks, “I’ve been following Linda Eder since she was in Jekyll and Hyde. I noticed that present 12 occasions and I’ve seen her in live performance six occasions,” previous to declaring, “She was unbelievable tonight each by way of her voice and her persona!”

Susan from Bogota acknowledges, “Earlier than tonight’s present, I had by no means heard of Linda Eder, however I used to be pleasantly stunned. She was improbable! Her musicians had been excellent, Billy Stritch was improbable, and I favored that she did jazz, Broadway, and basic songs,” previous to exclaiming, “I can’t wait to see her once more!”

Whereas Donna from Edison feedback, “Linda Eder’s vocal management is superb, and when she sings, you may inform she actually enjoys what’s doing,” Marty from Staten Island contends, “She has an unbelievable band. I particularly loved the flute taking part in and Billy Stritch’s stunning piano work.” Marty’s buddy, Marcus from Staten Island, declares, “I like Linda Eder and I believe she’s phenomenal,” earlier than joking, “If Barbra Streisand and Judy Garland had a child, it could be Linda Eder!”

Lastly, we chat with Jerry from Milltown who exclaims, “That is my second time seeing Linda Eder, and I really feel so blessed to have been capable of see her once more tonight! Her voice reached out and touched my soul,” previous to concluding, “She was completely transcendent!”

To study extra about Linda Eder, please go to lindaeder.com. For data on nice upcoming performances at BergenPAC — together with Darlene Love on Dec. 9, Artwork Garfunkel on Dec. 15, and Marie Osmond on Feb. 18, 2023 — please click on on bergenpac.org.