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On this balmy evening of November 6, 2022, in Englewood, New Jersey, where temperatures approached 80 degrees, music lovers entered the gleaming new lobby of BergenPAC to enjoy a performance by Broadway actress and recording star Linda Eder. An evening of music dedicated to you.

In the beautifully renovated BergenPAC auditorium—featuring new theater seating, carpet, and an improved sound system and acoustics—the stage featured a grand piano, an upright bass, a drum kit, an electronic Keyboards and various wind instruments.

The lights in the room were dimmed and the young men who made up the BergenPAC Special Events Choir entertained tonight’s audience with a selection of Broadway and pop songs accompanied by piano accompaniment.

Confident and talented young people who shine through their performances with a love of music and theater.

After a short intermission, five musicians—pianist Billy Stritch, bassist David Finck, keyboardist James Olmsted, drummer Eric Halvorson, and saxophonist Aaron Heick—take their places on stage, and the audience applauds them.

“Welcome Linda Eder!” Stritch announced, cheering and clapping as the music lovers rose to their feet. Looking stylish in a black suit, Eder looked down at the crowd with a smile before gracefully bowing and motioning for the band to kick off the night with a rocking rendition of “Almost Like Being In Love.”

Eder’s effortless vocals of “What a Wonderful Day/What a Wonderful Mood I’m in” filled the BergenPAC auditorium in this uptempo arrangement, which transforms into a jazz version of “This It can’t be love” (This Can’t Be Love). As the arrangement slowed, Eder’s voice soared with power and feel, and before she finally struck a high note, she struck a long note that was met with cheers and applause.

“Thank you!” Eder joked, “It’s so nice to be back in this lovely place on the first day of summer!” Eder explained that her current tour is a tribute to some of her favorite artists, revealing Her opening track is her personal tribute to Judy Garland.

Following a country version of Patsy Cline’s “Sweet Dream” and an uptempo ballad arrangement of Connie Francis’ “Where the Boys Are,” Eder declared, “We can’t do a concert with a tribute song without doing a This guy’s in it!” Here, Eder begins his interpretation of Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon.”

Aaron Heick solos tenor sax, music lovers’ toes tap on this wobbly arrangement, and ends with Stritch on Count Basie triad piano end.

“That’s funny!” Ed exclaimed, before announcing, “How about a shout out to the choir?” and joked, “I’d give anything to get back that age!”

Eder introduced Billy Stritch, her musical director, and praised, “He’s a great singer.” Eder and Stritch’s voices crooned in harmony as they performed Kay Stritch together. Their voices blended perfectly on Kay Starr’s “Side by Side.”

Sitting on a stool, Ed explains, “I can’t sing this song standing up.” Bow bass, flute, and piano combine to support Eder’s flawless voice on “Take Him Home.” Pitiful. The bell-like voice of her legato is real and clear, and Eder’s pure tone is like painting with her voice, making the crowd stand on their feet. Clearly moved by the song, Eder explained her emotion, revealing: “When I sing the song, I think of Jake; I have to try not to think about my son.”

Eder pays homage to Olivia Newton-John for her rich and full rendition of “I Love You Sincerely,” before nodding to Barbra Streisand with “Before the Parade Passes By,” starting slowly and then picking up the tempo of the march. Aaron · Aaron Heick played the piccolo in this dynamic arrangement that left the audience shaking their heads. The crowd cheers for Eder and Co.’s brilliant performance.

lights swirled across the walls and ceiling of the auditorium during eder’s performance sunset stripOn “As If We Never Said Goodbye,” the rich instrumentation provides a cushion for Eder’s voice, allowing it to float and soar.

Eder introduces world-class bassist David Finck and says, “It’s a song we love working on together.” Finck’s slow, sensual bassline introduces “Stormy Weather.” The bent strings bend along with Eder’s exposed voice along with the bass, the band members add clanging piano keys, wailing sax, electric keys and steady drums, then Eder strikes a long note while Finck under her sultry voice Bang bang.

Eder impresses audiences with her effortless crooning, “There’s always something that brings me back to you” on Sara Bareilles’ “Gravity,” and she follows up with Billy on “Carry You Home.” “A Very Light Country Duet” in tribute to country music icon Loretta Lynn.

Revealing, “I can never take this song off my show — it’s a great song,” Ed begins with “Someone Like You” Jekyll and HydeCrying, “If someone like you / Find someone like me / Then suddenly / Everything will be different”, Eder sang from the heart with her extraordinary talent, touching the music lovers in the crowd, They jumped up and applauded at the end.

Eder explained to the audience, “I took some masterclasses during the pandemic and one student in particular stood out. Let’s bring out Gianna Grosso from New Jersey!” Grosso and Eder Take turns singing duets on “In His Eyes.” Jekyll and Hydeduring a performance, the audience stood up and applauded the two queens of music.

Eder generously offers her students a chance to shine in the spotlight as Grosso delivers a dynamic solo rendition of Broadway’s “A Change in Me” beauty and the Beast.

The crowd erupted in applause and Ed returned to the stage, with Grosso admitting, “I can’t believe this is happening! Linda Eder’s legendary voice is my favorite!” before Eder could answer, ” Where you’re going, boy!”

Aaron Heick plays sax solo under blazing lights, Eder sings Lesley Gore’s “You Don’t Have Me,” Eder invites the audience to join her Join us for a soulful rendition of Dusty Springfield’s “Son of a Preacher Man.” She went on to perform Judy Garland hits, including “Rain or shine,” “San Francisco” and “Trolley Song,” to cheers and applause from the crowd.

After a Latin-inspired rendition of Shirley Bassey’s “Charade,” Eder introduced her bandmates and began her beautiful rendition of the power ballad “Vienna,” with the audience Enthusiastic standing ovation.

Capping off the evening’s show, Aaron Heick played Eder’s powerful Latin-inspired arrangement “Man of La Mancha” on saxophone. Lingering, perfect interpretation.

As Eder bowed and left, the crowd erupted in cheers, leaving people on their feet wanting more.

Eder returned to the stage for an encore of Judy Garland’s “Over the Rainbow,” featuring only piano and vocals. Stritch made the piano sound like an orchestra, while Eder gave a master class in vocal technique and expression – every word was articulated, sung with heart and with beautiful timbre. At the end, the audience jumped when Eder blew a kiss and waved goodnight.

As the audience walked out of the auditorium, we spoke to several who shared their thoughts on Linda Eder’s concert tonight.While Anne from Flanders called Eder’s performance “fantastic!” Gina from Woodbridge described it as “excellent” and Eddie from Flanders commented, “Since Linda Eder in Jekyll and Hyde. I’ve seen that show 12 times and I’ve seen her in concert 6 times,” before announcing, “Her voice and personality are unbelievable tonight! “

Susan from Bogota admits, “Before tonight’s show, I had never heard of Linda Eder, but I was pleasantly surprised. She is amazing! Her musicians are great, Billy Stritch is great, I love her playing Jazz, Broadway and the classics,” before exclaiming, “I can’t wait to see her again!”

Donna from Edison commented, “Linda Eder’s vocal control is amazing, and when she sings, you can tell she really loves what she does,” argues Marty from Staten Island, “She has an amazing Incredible band. I especially love the flute playing and Billy Stritch’s beautiful piano work.” Marty’s friend, Marcus from Staten Island, declared, “I love Linda Eder, I think she’s amazing,” and joked, “If Barbra Streisand and Judy Garland have a baby, and that’s Linda Eder!”

Finally, we chatted with Jerry from Milltown who exclaimed, “This is the second time I’ve seen Linda Eder and I feel so lucky to see her again tonight! Her voice touches my soul,” Before summing up, “She’s absolutely transcendent!”

To learn more about Linda Eder, visit lindaeder.com. For information on exciting upcoming shows at BergenPAC – including Darlene Love on December 9th, Art Garfunkel on December 15th and Marie Osmond on February 18th, 2023 – click here www.bergenpac.org.