What a wonder
Audiences always can tell when performers enjoy what they are doing on stage rather than giving off that all-too-familiar vibe that they are just waiting for the ink to dry on the gig's paycheck.
Actress and singer Lynda Carter is someone who loves what she can do with her talents and knows how to please a crowd with her easy and breezy style.
I caught Carter's new national tour of "An Intimate Evening with Lynda Carter" on Wednesday at the Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago, where she's headlining through the weekend.
After enjoying her 90-minute show, it's easy to see why this nearly 6-foot-tall, former Miss World USA 1973 was able so quickly to launch a successful career that has included everything from movies and television series to modeling and playing "Mama Morton" in "Chicago."
This tour marks Carter's return to singing on stage after a nearly two-decade absence and is on the heels of a new CD due this fall.
For everyone who has forgotten that Carter can sing, I can attest that her pipes are still in great shape.
After all, this is also the same woman who starred in, hosted and produced five Emmy-winning television network specials that spotlighted her singing and dancing talents.
Of course, for many people, she's still most famous for her role as TV's "Wonder Woman," from 1976-1979, a role for which she beat out hundreds of other actresses. (Remember, it was originally Cathy Lee Crosby in that title role for the original 1974 made-for-TV movie.)
Emerging on stage Wednesday in a form-fitting, long black "mermaid style" skirt, topped with a large belt and long-sleeved white, flowing collared shirt, Carter was all smiles while performing and connecting with her fans in this intimate 300-seat venue.
She also provided lots of fun banter while discussing her career.
"I loved playing the 1983 role of the great actress Rita Hayworth in the made-for-TV movie 'Love Goddess,'" she said.
"And despite her long and varied successful career, she was always known for just her most famous role in the 1946 movie 'Gilda.' Hmmmm ... Imagine that? An actress being linked to just one role?"
Carter's songs included the works of everyone from Patsy Cline, Paul Simon and Peggy Lee to James Taylor and Billie Holiday.
And this show is well worth the drive and ticket price.
Carter's remaining shows are 8 tonight and Saturday and 7 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $50-$75 and available at (773) 935-6100.
The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at ppotempa@nwitimes.com or 219.852.4327.
celebBirthdays
Actor Harve Presnell is 74. Actor Walter Koenig ("Star Trek") is 71. Actor Nicol Williamson is 69. Singer-actress Joey Heatherton is 63. Actor Sam Neill and singer John "Bowser" Baumann of Sha Na Na are 60. Guitarist Ed King (Strawberry Alarm Clock, Lynyrd Skynyrd) is 58. Saxophonist Steve Berlin of Los Lobos is 52. Country singer-songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman is 51. Actress Mary Crosby and singer Morten Harket of a-ha and country singer John Berry are 48. Actress Faith Ford ("Faith and Hope," "Murphy Brown") is 43. Actor Dan Cortese is 39. Singer Mark Hall of Casting Crowns is 38. Bassist Craig Montoya (Everclear) is 37. Actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley ("According to Jim") is 36. Rapper Nas is 34. Singer Amy Winehouse is 24. Actor Adam Lamberg ("Lizzie McGuire") is 23.
