The Voice - The Official Linda Eder Newsletter

Many fans traveled to Chester, CT last summer to attend the world premiere of CAMILLE CLAUDEL. Several fans have graciously shared their experiences with THE VOICE. We hope you will enjoy reliving the show through the eyes of these fans.

What could be more exciting than Opening Night of a brand new musical by Frank Wildhorn? How about Opening Night with a major east coast power failure? Imagine…the plug is pulled and the whole Wildhorn production comes grinding to a halt, just hours away from the debut of CAMILLE CLAUDEL. This might be too much excitement for average people to overcome. But remember, “There's no people like show people.” Everyone involved at The Norma Terris Theatre managed to pull it together, thanks to a generator and extraordinary professionalism from the cast and crew. We did not have to miss one moment of this beautifully crafted new musical. The stage is a place for make-believe, and for a brief time, Camille, you were there with us in that theatre. Linda brought your life to us and at least for a few hours that night, your voice was more than “just a whisper.”

-Terry Krebs

Debra Anderson and Linda Eder

Since I live just outside of Boston, I was fortunate enough to be able to attend three performances of CAMILLE CLAUDEL this summer. My tickets were for opening weekend, the closing performance, and one in the middle. While all three were terrific, they were all a little different, naturally. I am a huge, longstanding Linda Eder fan and mostly went to hear her sing… although, I also have been to countless Broadway musicals, and have been to the Rodin museum in Paris . So, all in all, a musical starring Linda Eder in the role of Camille Claudel was perfect entertainment for me.

The early show had some stumbles, not surprisingly. A few missed lines, forgotten phrases, actors looked a little nervous, Linda Eder almost losing her nightgown during “In His Arms”… that sort of thing. Overall though, I thought it just lent to the charm. The show was longer and included more music than the later shows did and I really liked that. I can appreciate there has to be a time limit…but in my dream world, Linda Eder just goes on singing and singing and singing. So, I didn't mind in the least. I was completely impressed by the staging and props… inventive, creative, spartan yet appropriate, versatile, convincing… brilliant, really. Michael Nouri was perfectly cast and pulled off Rodin very well, I thought. Milo O'Shea was also terrific. Of course, I was watching hard to see if Ms. Eder would be a convincing Claudel… and she was. I was most struck by three things…the magnificent ballet/waltz sequence, using live actors as sculpture, and the actors showing Claudel's most famous works at the end. This was a late Sunday performance and the crowd was an Eder crowd… applauding loudly and frequently. Generally, I prepare for musicals before I go, becoming completely familiar with the songs, so I can follow all the dialogue/lyric. While I absolutely loved the music, I so wished there was a recording I might have had in advance. Yet, like hundreds of other Eder/Wildhorn/Knighton fans, I am also patiently (well, sort of) waiting for the Original Broadway Cast Recording.

The second performance was in the middle and also on a Sunday, but earlier in the day. The show was shorter and more polished. I was alert for changes… afraid it would detract from the overall performance, but I never got that impression. I missed Mrs. Claudel's song, but it didn't hugely detract from the show. I enjoyed this performance in a different way. I was ready for the impressive staging and looked forward to hearing the beautiful music for a second time. I wasn't disappointed. However, this was also a typical “season ticket holder” crowd. Since the crowd was a very different composition, they weren't as enthusiastic or responsive as they were for my first experience. Chatter around me wasn't as gushing as the first time, although it was still pretty positive. It really made me appreciate being in a crowd full of Linda Eder fans (where I usually am)… what an amazing difference. There's an energy, even as an audience member, that you clearly feel or don't feel. I expect the actors noticed the difference on stage, too. Man oh man, give me the energy of an adoring crowd any day.

Okay, and now, the closing performance. Wow. I will always pat myself on the back for buying these tickets. With all the hundreds of shows I have attended, this single performance will be in my mind for a long, long time. Here's why. While the performance was definitely the most perfected and smooth, there was something electric in the air from the beginning. As Linda Eder fans well know, she wears her emotions outwardly… often shedding tears during especially moving songs… and this show was no exception. At first, I thought I was imaging it… she seemed a little more emotional than at the other performances… seemed like her voice cracked a few times. But I passed it off… until the final number. When Ms. Eder began to sing “Gold,” she could barely whisper the words. She was on the verge of tears, but the consummate performer that she is, somehow managed to keep going. What first struck me was, as she made her way around the stage to her different fellow actors, each one, in some small way, immediately tried to support her. There was a smile (where one hadn't been in previous performances), holding her hands a bit longer, a kiss on the hands, grasping her shoulders, or just steadily holding her glance. It was a magical few moments where everyone else reached out to bolster Ms. Eder through those painful passages. Then, about halfway through the song, she pulled herself together and BELTED out the rest of “Gold.” Then, just when I thought I'd seen everything that could be packed into a single song, came the part where little Camille runs over to big Camille. Linda Eder reached down and stroked her cheek so sweetly and tenderly, and I thought the crowd would simply fall apart. I was stunned. In the space of a four minute song, she went from weeping and being entirely dependent on the cast for moral support… to lovingly extending a single gesture of support to a little girl looking up at her. I dunno. Maybe I read too much into all that, but it's the sort of theatre moment that will stick with me forever.

While I read the Linda Eder sites regularly, I rarely post. I also never wait after shows to meet her. I love reading stories from others, but hesitate to do the same. However, I was so moved by this final performance that I decided to wait and meet Ms. Eder. I got her autograph and told her this was the third time I had come down from Boston to see the show… and that she blew the roof off with this particular performance. She touched my shoulder, looked at me, and simply said, “It was SO hard.” As if she needed to say that. Her triumph over all that emotion at the end said it all.

I've thought long and hard about what it is that makes Linda

Debra Anderson's Sons

Eder fans so passionate about her. Many are so devoted that it frightens me sometimes. They follow her every move and are hugely involved in her life. Some, I swear, would defend her to the death. At times, I think it's odd. But then I realize, at the root of it all, we're all essentially the same. It's just a matter of degree, I guess. Something about Ms. Eder fundamentally touches us all… whether it's her lack of pretension, maternal/marital pride and devotion, beauty, wrapping her voice around the music and lyric, availability, vulnerability, passion, candor, versatility, friendliness… maybe some of each… maybe all of some. The point is, she manages to deeply touch her fans in a way that few other performers even make an effort to do. It sets her considerably apart from all the rest.

As a real aside, I am single and in the process of adopting three little boys (brothers) from Ecuador any day now. It's long been a dream of mine to be a mom. Taped to my back door is a picture of the three boys with the following two quotes. “All the secret dreams we have, don't ever really die. They watch us from a distance, as we wave goodbye. And now and then a backwards glance, reminds us that there's still a chance. And so, we fill our sails and travel on.” CAMILLE CLAUDEL provided me with the second quote. “You have to live the life you're given and never close your eyes. You hold on… and stare into the sky… and burn against the cold. For any moment, you might find the gold.” As I await the arrival of my little boys, I'm also a little afraid of “Let Him Fly” increasingly turning me into a blubbering fool. So as my days of freely traveling around the New England/ New York area to see Linda Eder are ending, my boys will SO grow up with the magic of her music in their lives.

-Deb Anderson

Hi, Linda! I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed CAMILLE CLAUDEL in Chester this past summer. I am from Massachusetts and I drove down after work to see the play. I have been a long time fan of your music but have never had an interest in theatre before. Your husband, Frank, and you produce top-notch work, so I just had to see what the play was all about. It was fantastic! I could have watched back-to-back performances. Your acting was so passionate and real. I was taken aback. I have always heard through the years that Broadway actors and actresses were the best and after seeing CAMILLE CLAUDEL, I can really understand this. Your singing of “Gold” brought tears to my eyes as well as to the eyes of others around me, and I applaud your people for producing this kind of work.

I will begin my reaction to CAMILLE CLAUDEL with a brief story of my exposure to and ensuing love of Linda Eder. My best friend, Jill, had stoked a fire which once burned brightly but had diminished over the years. During the 1970's, I worked with people who enjoyed the Broadway Theatre. We would save money weekly and travel as a group a few times a year to see a show and have a nice evening out. Musicals were our favorite. As careers and lives moved forward, this group slowly broke apart and other interests took over.

During the 1990's, Jill and I became close friends and Jill's love of Broadway and vintage music began to infiltrate my life. Once again we traveled to Broadway and enjoyed some wonderful shows. One day Jill told me of this artist named Linda Eder whom she had seen on a video named “Broadway's Leading Ladies.” I saw the video and was also captivated by the voice of this performer. Jill had an opportunity to see Linda perform in Sarasota, Florida and came home raving. Subsequently, she was able to get tickets to a performance in New Haven, CT at the Shubert Theatre. Experiencing that performance hooked me for good. As I write this, I have met Linda several times and have been to nine venues. I am not sure whether I am more impressed with the voice she was given or the gift of kindness and down to earth qualities she exhibits to her adoring fans. In either case, this all led to hearing about and finally seeing Linda perform in CAMILLE CLAUDEL.

Jill and I desperately wanted to see CAMILLE, but job issues and a busy summer schedule prevented us from being able to commit until tickets were almost impossible to find. A fellow Linda “addict,” who will forever affectionately be known as “Frank from Bedford,” posted on Linda's website that he had (4) tickets available since personal commitments would prevent his attending the next to final night's performance. Jill and I got two of them. I was thrilled to discover they were front row tickets, but I had no idea what I was in for.

We arrived early in Chester and were enjoying the soundtrack from THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL when who should walk by but Frank Wildhorn. Of course Jill, not being known for her shyness, yells out, “Hey, Frank!” As he approached the car, Jill proudly announced we were listening to “his” PIMPERNEL, to which he chuckled and took a few minutes to say hello. A fun start to the evening for sure! The theatre was warm on this September evening so I waited outside while Jill proceeded to get us something to drink. This resulted in a funny side story that I still get kidded about. I saw a van pull up that included some dogs. I knew without asking that this must be the infamous Janet and Rachel from the message board. Instead of being my usual smiling self, I guess I stood there staring. Later on, when meeting Janet officially for the first time, she explained how she thought I was some sort of security guard checking out arrivals. She has reminded me of that every time we meet. I should improve my first impressions!

We finally got seated and I was stunned at just how close the front row really was. For those who saw the show, there was a little point that juts out just to the right of center stage, which is where we were seated. The curtain rose, and there was Linda/Camille literally three feet away. The play began with Camille singing “In the Stone.” Having only heard “The Voice” in concerts with full amplification, I was overwhelmed with hearing her “natural” voice.

I had accidentally discovered a week before the performance that one of the Movie Channels was broadcasting the 1989 movie Camille Claudel. Despite it being in French, I watched (and read) the movie and really got caught up in what must have captivated Linda and Frank to want to tell the story. My only concern was the movie ended in a very dark tone that I hoped would not overwhelm the Chester production. I expected that between Nan Knighton's writing and Frank's music, Camille would be honored.

Michael Nouri's ability to portray a strong willed Rodin was impressive and his singing was surprisingly clear and wonderful. Linda has the unique ability to convey playfulness in Camille as well as an equal if not stronger will than Rodin himself. Matt Bogart playing Paul Claudel was wonderful. I had expected his singing to be top notch but was equally impressed with his interpretation of Paul. Milo O'Shea and Rita Gardner brought Camille's parents to life in such a way that you truly could relate to Camille's frustrations.

I did not expect any special effects or stage sets to be overly impressive since this was an early production run. Linda remained a beautiful Camille throughout the show and did not appear disheveled as I would have imagined Camille to be based on the end of the movie. To lose the love of your life, your family and finally your artistic acceptance could only have been devastating. Fortunately, I did not get the same sense of self-destruction and devastation near the end of the play.

There was very clever use of the supporting cast members in the show who were used to depict the various works of art created by Camille Claudel. The ability to freeze a pose while made up to look like sculptures was awesome as was the choreography.

The only point in the production that was a little confusing was the “Gates of Hell” segment. Rodin worked on this piece from 1880 until his death in 1917. One has to wonder if indeed Camille's haunting memory did not partially curse the finality of this piece. But the linkage of this to the rest of the story was somewhat confusing to me.

Frank would bring the story to a conclusion. I must admit the ending was an incredible concept. It could have been a dark ending to focus on her life's completion in a sanitarium. Instead, pictures of Camille's remaining works of art were displayed as she walked around the stage singing “Gold.” I felt this truly summed up the beauty her life produced and how important it is for all of us to rejoice in Camille's ability to have “touched the gold.”

The score, as expected, was brilliant and the production sensational considering that this was a trial run. I look forward to seeing it succeed on Broadway and further exposing the wonderful talent the Wildhorns possess.

The evening ended with yet another opportunity to chat with “our” Linda and the other cast members. As always, despite being exhausted after doing two shows with another two the following day, Linda was gracious and allowed for as much time as anyone wanted with her. The truly personal time she gives her fans is such a unique aspect to her career. I hope it never changes.

Hi, Linda! We managed to make it to Chester, CT to see CAMILLE CLAUDEL during its run at The Norma Terris Theatre. WE LOVED IT! After the show, we had the opportunity to meet you, Frank and Michael Nouri. That was a wonderful experience!