The Voice - The Official Linda Eder Newsletter

The story of Camille Claudel's life is both a tragedy and a triumph. The talented actors in the cast of CAMILLE CLAUDEL truly brought the story to life. The Editorial Staff of THE VOICE caught up with some of the cast members to discover what being a part of the production meant to them.

LINDA EDER ( Camille Claudel)

“My favorite memory of the run of CAMILLE CLAUDEL is all of it. I loved everything about that show and that cast. It was a special time that will most likely never be recreated. I think the cast party we had at our house was the most fun we all had together. No one wanted to go home.”

Broadway: JEKYLL & HYDE, Theatre World Award: Best Broadway Debut; Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle Award nomination. In concert: Linda Eder on Broadway, The Gershwin Theatre. Solo Recordings: Atlantic Records- “Broadway, My Way,” “It's Time,” “It's No Secret Anymore,” “Christmas Stays The Same.” Angel Records- “And So Much More.” BMG Records- “Linda Eder,” “ Vienna .” Broadway Cast and Concept Albums: Atlantic Records- “Jekyll & Hyde: The Cast Album,” “Jekyll & Hyde, The Complete Work,” “The Civil War,” “The Civil War Nashville Sessions.” Angel Records- “The Scarlet Pimpernel” concept album. BMG Records- “Jekyll & Hyde Highlights.” Next Album Release: “Storybook” due in September. In 1980 Linda was the undefeated winner on “Star Search.” Today she performs throughout the country as one of the nation's most successful touring artists, including three sold-out shows at Carnegie Hall. Linda dedicates this performance to Camille Claudel.

MICHAEL NOURI (Auguste Rodin)

Michael Nouri has starred in a broad range of productions in movies, television and legitimate theatre including such critically acclaimed roles as Julie Andrew's leading man in the hit Broadway musical VICTOR/VICTORIA; Broadway's FORTY CARATS, opposite Julie Harris; the lead role of Lucky Luciano in the highly rated NBC series “The Gangster Chronicles;” the leading man in the classic film “Flashdance;” and, recently, he completed a seven-month national tour as the star of SOUTH PACIFIC. Late last year, Nouri starred in “Stuey,” starring with Michael Imperioli (“The Sopranos”) who limns the title role. Michael's film career includes his recent starring roles in Lions Gate's “Lovely and Amazing;” starring as Joe DiMaiggio in Billy Crystal's “61*;” and a starring role opposite Sean Connery in “Finding Forrester.” His role in “Goodbye Columbus” was the first of more that fifty films to date, which includes the cult favorite, “The Hidden,” for which Nouri won the Best Actor award at the Avoriaz Film Festival in France. Nouri also received an Emmy nomination for his performance on the daytime drama “Search For Tomorrow.” Recently, Michael guest-starred in NBC's “Law & Order: Criminal Intent;” and in two CBS series, “Touched By An Angel,” about the environment; and “The District” about biological terrorism. He has also starred in movies and miniseries. Nouri serves as an ambassador to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society; is involved with the Seeds of Peace Organization; and supports the ALS Society which is a charitable activity he became interested in while starring in the television movie, “Quiet Victory: The Charlie Wedermeyer Story,” in which he portrayed his friend Charlie Wedermeyer.

MATT BOGART (Paul Claudel)

“I enjoyed the great sense of camaraderie amongst the cast and creative team. We all believed in the show and in each other. I also enjoyed our Blackout Opening Night. It was a testament to our show, cast and creative team that we were able to fill every seat and give an amazing performance the night of the great Eastern Blackout sans electric, sans turntable, sans costumes, sans microphones, sans everything. ‘Go with Passion' was Frank's mantra he drilled into our dear little ears as we implemented changes into the show while also hosting New York producers and visitors. Frank, Linda, Nan and Gabriel are very passionate artists. Their good and giving spirits infused us with the ‘Passion' needed to make this workshop production a success.”

Matt Bogart is honored to return to The Norma Terris Theatre. He has appeared on Broadway as Sam Taylor in Frank Wildhorn's THE CIVIL WAR, as Radames in Elton John and Time Rice's AIDA, as Chris in MISS SAIGON, and as the White Guy in SMOKEY JOE'S CAFÉ, also filmed for television and available on home video and DVD. Matt appeared in the Kennedy Center 's Sondheim celebration as Paul in COMPANY, reprising his role for the 2002 Kennedy Center Honors. Regional Credits include Starbuck in 110 IN THE SHADE, and Terry in SIDESHOW at Signature Theatre, Billy in CAROUSEL and Lancelot in CAMELOT at the Paper Mill Playhouse, Curly in OKLAHOMA! and Tony in WEST SIDE STORY at Music Theatre of Wichita . Also in NYC, Matt was a soloist in the Sondheim Celebration at Avery Fischer Hall and workshopped shows with Lincoln Center Theater, Roundabout Theater Company, Manhattan Theatre Club, New York Theatre Workshop and The York Theatre. He earned his BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Cincinnati 's College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). Matt's first solo musical theatre album, “Simple Songs,” is released on the Jay Records label and is available on his website, www.MattBogart.com . Much love and thanks to his friends, family, and Jessica.

TIMOTHY W. BISH (Ensemble/Dance Captain- Gaspar/Waltzing Couple)

“I cannot say that I enjoyed one thing more than the other. CAMILLE CLAUDEL was one of the most fun experiences I have had and I was happy to be there. I think if I had to pick one thing that I enjoyed the most, I would have to say that it was the entire cast. I felt that we really created a great energy on stage and I had a connection with each person while on stage. A touching moment that I will not forget was when we did our first run through and had the opportunity to watch each other perform. There was such a feeling of excitement and support for our fellow performers.”

Originally from Pittsburgh, Timothy began at the Larry Cervi School and the Civic Light Opera. Upon graduating from NYU Tisch Dance with BFA, Timothy transitioned into Mark Dendy Dance and Theater as a soloist. Timothy was also a member of the Parsons Dance Company. Musical Theatre credits include: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR ( Swine Palace ), CAROUSEL (Paper Mill Playhouse), SWING (National and Japanese Tours), SWING (Downtown Cabaret Theatre), and most recently participated in the workshop of SWEET CHARITY.

NATALIE HILL (Ensemble- Louise/Celine/Madeline/Gossips)

“It was such a great time getting to know everybody! I felt like we were at summer camp. All day, we'd work so hard rehearsing—and what a thrill that was to get paid to play with Linda—then at night, we'd gather at our house (the Narducci) and BBQ, play Mafia (Nan's favorite), listen to the wonderfully talented Michael Nouri play guitar or make up songs, and just share silly stories. Or, Frank and Linda would so generously treat us to dinner at the Italian restaurant across the street—they also had the entire cast come over to their house for a fantastic BBQ to celebrate Jake, Gabe Barre and Antonia's birthdays. We partied so hard and killed our bodies playing football, volleyball, tennis and swimming—it was heaven. There were so many wonderful moments that we all shared, but one of my favorite on stage memories was when Michael and Linda put in ‘Isn't It Good?'—I think that's the name of the song?!—it was toward the end of the run and Michael and Linda learned it that day… well, they put the lyrics in GIANT letters behind Jeremy's head in the pit and they also put them in a newspaper they were ‘pretending' to read so they could remember the lyrics. I can't remember who got the giggles first, but neither Michael nor Linda could hold it together. They both stopped singing and stood there laughing their heads off… it was hysterical! The entire ensemble was standing around them in a circle and we couldn't stop laughing either.”

Natalie happily returns to Goodspeed after appearing in BRIGADOON (2001). She recently created the role of “Bernadette” in ROMEO AND BERNADETTE at the Paper Mill and Coconut Grove Playhouses. Other credits include FOOTLOOSE (Rusty, National Tour), JOSEPH….DREAMCOAT with Liz Larsen (u/s and performed Narrator, North Shore Music Theatre), WEST SIDE STORY (Anita, NYU's Frederick Loewe Theatre), LES MISERABLES IN CONCERT (Eponine) and the reading of GO GO BEACH (Mindy). Originally from Utah , she was delighted to sing the National Anthem at the 2002 Winter Olympic Torch Lighting Ceremony.

TRICIA PAOLUCCIO (Ensemble- Jessie/Sophie/Gossips)

“All I can say is that Linda is one of the most down to earth, honest, and humble women I have ever met. She worked so hard during the rehearsals, in an incredibly challenging role, and I deeply admired her performance and all she brought to Camille. She was always so aware of the rest of us in the cast and expressed her desire for all of us to have more opportunities to shine in the show... a very generous gesture that is the opposite of how most stars react! I just love Linda, and am glad to consider her my friend! My two favorite memories of being in the show were when she came over to see my sculpture (of Gabe!!!) during her song ‘Coming Home'... every performance I continued to sculpt his face and it went thru many stages... she would sometimes laugh at my ‘art' and sometimes I purposefully did something to my sculpture to get a reaction from Linda... it was all in character of course! My other memory is of sitting on the stage during ‘Gold.' There was not one performance when I didn't cry or become deeply moved by her rendition. Sometimes I cried because of how I relate to that song, and what Camille went through, or how it reminds me of my father or my husband... what it is like to strive to make a difference, or make art... but sometimes I cried because of my absolute awe of Linda's instrument... her voice. When the spotlight shone down on her as she faced downstage, I felt it was like God shining His light thru her and her voice was not even hers. It's like a gift that she's been given and all she has to do is stand there, open up her mouth and let it out. It is that seemingly effortless power that she expresses, while maintaining such a sweet modesty, that is what moves me so much about Linda... and it is the combination of that, along with so many other qualities she possesses, that I think makes her Camille so extraordinary.”

Broadway: THE GREEN BIRD; A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE. Off-Broadway: Donna in DEBBIE DOES DALLAS; Cressida in TROILUS AND CRESSIDA; NIGHT BLOOMING JASMINE. Regionally she has worked at the Long Wharf Theater, the Shakespeare Theatres of Washington D.C. and New Jersey and the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. Film/TV: “Just Another Story” (Showtime); “Squeeze Play;” “Non-Disclosure;” “Law & Order: SVU;” “Guiding Light;” “All My Children” and “The Great Gatsby” (PBS).

ANTONIA L. KITSOPOULOS (Young Camille)

“While working on CAMILLE CLAUDEL I enjoyed the other actors, the orchestra and the stagehands because they were all really nice. I also enjoyed being with my parents because it made it easier for me. A touching moment for me was on opening night when I ran up to Linda and we were both hugging and crying at the end of the show.”

Antonia made her Broadway debut in November 2002 in Baz Luhrmann's production of Puccini's LA BOHEME. She studies piano and oboe and loves to sing and put on shows with her friends. Antonia is pleased to be making her Goodspeed debut and to be working with Gabe, Linda and Frank.

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Our thanks to the entire cast for so skillfully portraying the story of Camille Claudel. We hope to see many of you reprising your roles on a Broadway stage!

(NOTE: Bios as presented in the CAMILLE CLAUDEL Playbill from The Norma Terris Theatre, Summer 2003.)