5 Questions For...

Source: Linda Eder.com

Linda Eder is best-known to Broadway audiences as Lucy in the original company of JEKYLL AND HYDE written by her former husband, Frank Wildhorn, and Leslie Bricusse.  Her latest CD, NOW, is a compilation of old and new Wildhorn songs. Special thanks to Max Horowitz at Crossover Media for his assistance in arranging this interview.

I love the CD. One of my favorite selection is NO FINER MAN. You say in the liner notes that your interpretation was inspired by your own father. Could you elaborate on that?

It was written for a musical of Cyrano de Bergerac that Frank Wildhorn and Leslie Bricusse wrote. Leslie is very passionate about the Cyrano story. We had made demos of some of the music that Frank had written. When it came time to make this particular record, there some songs like that in his repertoire that I'd always loved. So we put them on the record.

I wasn't involved in any musical version of the show. But to me, I just couldn't help but think of my dad. My dad was always been my hero and one of the reasons I've always done what I've done in my life. At eight years old, we were watching "The Wizard of Oz" together and Judy Garland came out and sang. He said to me, "are you going to sing like that one day?" It so stuck in my mind. When hear those words [in NO FINER MAN], I just immediately think of him.

Linda Eder performs NO FINER MAN

Something that always fascinates me is the song selection process on a CD. Did you have a particular thread or theme in mind, especially since Frank's catalog is so large and prolific?

Yes, he has a large catalog and he loves everything he writes! Every writer has a batting average. They'll write great songs and good songs. Over the years, I recorded both great and good songs because we were married. Maybe I would have been better off, career-wise, if I had gone with another writer to round out the album in a different way. But that's just the way it went.

For this particular record, I had so many songs of his to pick from, but I also wanted some new up-tempos and different things. And I much fussier! Like "that's not good enough" or "bring me more." But he'll write till the cows come home - he loves to write. Even though he may say, "Well, I love it." I'll say, "No, you can do better." Because I know what's he's capable of. And it's fun. It's in no way an argumentative relationship. Some artists are very temperamental, but he's not. He's pretty good natured.

I know someone who, like yourself, is an artist and a single mom. She once told me that being mom made her a better artist and that artist made her a better mom. Do you find that's true with you and your son, Jake?

There's no question that having a child made me a better interpreter of lyrics. Living life in general will make you a better interpreter. Being a mom, it's to the higher power that you're learning about life.

As far as being an artist making me a better mother, no. It's hard to balance. That's always been the challenge -- to balance both career and motherhood. They are both children. They require time, attention and energy.

But I manage it by touring in the non-traditional sense. I stayed away from Broadway shows for that reason. I knew what they took and that I wouldn't be able to see him. I didn't want to miss out on anything. So I tour only a few days per month and try to be home on the weekends. He's with his dad when I'm away.

Linda and son Jake attending the recent opening of Frank Wildhorn's latest Broadway musical WONDERLAND. Left to right: Justin Wildhorn (Frank Wildhorn's eldest son), Jake Wildhorn, Linda and Frank Wildhorn. Source: broadway.com

Would you consider coming back to the Broadway stage when your son is a bit older?

With Robert Cuccioli in JEKYLL & HYDE. Source: jekyll-hyde.com

That's certainly something to think about. What I love about theatre is not what all these young theatre kids coming up are all craving -- the center stage, having the spotlight all to themselves and belting the eleven o'clock number. That's been my whole career as a concert performer.

When I got to theatre with JEKYLL, it was all about the fun, the camaraderie, the acting and the costumes. It was about how ridiculously fun it was for grown-ups to be doing this and calling it work. That is what I miss.

Jake is going to be 12 this summer and heading toward his teenage years so eventually down the road, I would even like to do a straight play. You wouldn't have to worry about your voice.

Complete this sentence: "I never have enough time for..."

Funny you ask that because that's always what I want more of in life -- time. I've been given so much in life. I'm so happy already with what I've been able to achieve. If I had more time it would be to enjoy the things that I've been given. Days go by so quickly and there's never enough time. Just more time to keep doing what I do.

For more on Linda Eder, her recordings or upcoming concert appearances, go to her official website, www.lindaeder.com