By Spotlight Central, Photos by Love Imagery
originally published: 02/25/2026
Love is in the air this February 14, 2026 evening inside Morristown, NJ’s MPAC auditorium as concertgoers ready themselves for a With Love from Linda Valentine’s Day performance by singer Linda Eder.
Born in Arizona in 1961, Eder was raised in Minnesota where she was exposed to music at an early age. A fan of Judy Garland, Eder sang in clubs in Minneapolis and Atlantic City before winning the TV talent competition, Star Search.
Eder launched her recording career in America with her 1991 eponymous debut album, Linda Eder, and went on to star in the Broadway production of Jekyll and Hyde — created by composer Frank Wildhorn — where she won the 1997 Theater World Award for Best Broadway Debut.
Her latest project is TOSOM Live (The Other Side of Me) Concert, a live recording Eder released in 2024.
The auditorium lights dim and musicians including keyboardist Keith Cotton, bassist Michael O’Brien, drummer Eric Halvorson, and musical director/pianist Billy Stritch take the stage. The crowd cheers as Linda Eder makes her entrance.
Opening with “The Best Is Yet To Come,” Eder, 65, sings with ease and style before segueing into a slow and sultry arrangement of “The Man I Love” where, deftly backed by the band, she holds notes out in her rich full tone.
Transitioning into “Just in Time,” Eder’s vocal soars to avid cheers and applause.
“Happy Valentine’s Day!” announces Eder, as she and the ensemble present a slow swing version of “I Will Wait for You” featuring a jazzy Billy Stritch piano solo. Stepping into “‘Til You Come Back to Me,” Michael O’Brien lays down a walking bass line, Eric Halverson keeps time on the drums with style, and Billy Stritch and Linda sing together in close harmony on this upbeat and jazzy number.
After acknowledging that she’s grateful she didn’t have to cancel tonight’s show after slipping on the ice outside her home, Eder sails into “Gold,” a power ballad from the Frank Wildhorn musical, Camille Claudel, where she cries, “Through it all/And I am standing tall!” as the arrangement dramatically builds in intensity and feeling.
Eder and Stritch perform a lovely duet rendition of Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World” before Stritch exclaims, “Such a great song — let’s do another one!” and the pair renders a jazzy interpretation of “Steppin’ Out with My Baby” which gets concertgoers’ toes tapping.
Eder talks about singing songs which were originally written for male vocalists prior to presenting a dramatic version of Anthony Newley’s “What Kind of Fool Am I,” filled with swells and emotion. She follows up with a poignant piano/vocal arrangement of the Stephen Sondheim ballad from Into the Woods, “No One is Alone.”
Eder announces, “Here’s one by Edie Gormé,” as she launches into a powerful upbeat rendition of the old-time swing number, “What Did I Have That I Don’t Have Now,” from On a Clear Day You Can See Forever.
Concertgoers cheer and Eder responds, “Here’s a pretty one — a good one for Valentine’s Day.” Sailing into the ballad, “I’ll Be Seeing You,” Eder’s voice cries with emotion as she’s accompanied by the sound of a string ensemble produced by keyboardist Keith Cotton.
After Stritch provides vocal harmonies on a swinging presentation of Frank Wildhorn’s “Mad Hatter,” Eder talks about working with composer Burt Bacharach. Here, she presents a stunning interpretation of Bacharach’s 1965 composition for Dionne Warwick, “Alfie,” where her voice floats like satin as she sings, “What’s it all about Alfie?” on an arrangement that ebbs and flows with seasoned musicality.
Following up with the bawdy show tune, “Bring On the Men,” music lovers clap along on the song’s refrain as the arrangement builds in tempo and intensity.
Eder and Stritch perform an intimate duet on the Nat King Cole hit, “Unforgettable,” before perfectly blending their voices on the jazzy Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gormé tune, “Side by Side.”
After informing the crowd about her love for Judy Garland, Eder glides through a bouncy medley of Garland staples including “Come Rain or Come Shine,” “San Francisco,” and “The Trolley Song,” all accompanied with style and precision by her talented band.
A highlight of the show is Eder’s performance of her signature tune from Broadway’s Jekyll and Hyde, “Someone Like You.” Crying, “If someone like you/Found someone like me/Then suddenly/Nothing would ever be the same,” Eder sings from the heart with her extraordinary talent.
As a special Valentine’s Day surprise, Eder introduces an audience member, Rick, who comes up to the foot of the stage to say a few words. After revealing that he’s been attending performances at MPAC since he was a child, Rick proposes to Marla, who is seated in the audience, and who responds, “Yes!”
Audiences applaud for the happy couple, and Eder continues the show by shifting into a jazzy interpretation of Henry Mancini’s “Charade” where she vocalizes up and down the scale with ease before spotlighting each of the members of her band.
After inviting the crowd to sing along on a soulful rendition of Dusty Springfield’s R&B hit, “Son of a Preacher Man,” Eder concludes tonight’s performance with a powerful interpretation of “Man of La Mancha,” where she vocalizes high and free, her voice soaring at the climax of the number and inspiring a standing ovation.
“Thank you so much! Happy Valentine’s Day!” exclaims Eder as she and the band exit the stage.
Returning with Stritch, Eder acknowledges, “Judy Garland inspired me when I was eight years old, and the little kid in me still can’t believe that this is my job, and it’s all because of you!” Here, Eder and Stritch present a poignant voice and piano encore of “Over the Rainbow” where Eder gives a master class in vocal technique and expression. Leaving the audience standing and cheering, Eder responds, “Thank you so much!” prior to taking a final bow and exiting the stage.
As concertgoers make their way out of the MPAC auditorium, several comment on this evening’s performance. Remarks Rick from Somers Point, “Linda Eder was wonderful tonight! She sounded amazing and I loved the songs she did, which were all great choices for Valentine’s Day.”
Steve from Martinsville concurs, explaining, “I liked her presence, the band was tight, and she had such good material. She put on a great Valentine’s Day show which was actually a Christmas gift for my wife!”
Suzanne from Brick exclaims, “Linda Eder was phenomenal tonight! She hit all the notes perfectly — I was really impressed — and I loved her duets with Billy Stritch. The show was so enjoyable, plus the wedding proposal was a real surprise, too!”
Robin from Massapequa, NY, reveals, “My family and I have seen Linda Eder over 100 times! I love her voice — she can sing anything — her band is amazing, and she appeals to people of all ages. Seeing her here at this beautiful venue was worth the two-hour trip.”
Robin’s daughter, Randi, agrees, explaining, “We’re some of the biggest Linda Eder fans anywhere! She’s unbelievable — we can’t say enough good things about her — and she was the best ever tonight,” before adding, “but she’s always the best ever!”
To learn more about Linda Eder, please go to lindaeder.com. To find out about upcoming events at MPAC — including The Fab Four: The Ultimate Tribute on February 27, The Simon and Garfunkel Story on March 5 , and The Ten Tenors: 30th Anniversary World Tour on March 26 — please go to mayoarts.org.
Photos by Love ImagerySpotlight Central. Your source for Jersey entertainment news and reviews
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