BWW INTERVIEWS: Lynda Carter talks new album, new gig and, of course, Wonder Woman

Before she was crowned Miss World USA or donned Wonder Woman's star-spangled bustier, Lynda Carter was on stage singing. While still in high school, she started singing with a couple of local bands. In fact, Ms. Carter played an extended run in lounge of The Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas before she was legal gambling age.

On television, in addition to three seasons in the iconic role of Diana Prince/Wonder Woman in the late 1970s, Ms. Carter also starred in a handful of one-hour variety show specials through the early 1980s.

After taking time off to be with her family and raise her two children, in 2005, Carter played the role of Matron Mama Morton in the West End production of Chicago. The experience renewed Ms. Carter's love of performing on stage in front of an audience. Since then, she has regularly been playing jazz clubs and music festivals.

In 2009, Ms. Carter released her second studio album 'At Last'. Her first album, 'Portrait', was released in 1978. With 31 years between that album and the release of 'At Last', Ms. Carter has just released her third album 'Crazy Little Things'; just two years later.

On December 10^th, Ms. Carter will be playing a gig at the Wolf Den at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT. The 8:00 p.m. show is free, but seating is limited.

Ms. Carter recently spoke to BroadwayWorld.com:

Randy Rice: Thank you for taking the time to talk with me and with BroadwayWorld.com.

Lynda Carter: You're welcome. I'm happy to do it.

RR: Let's start at the beginning. Tell me about the music that you grew up listening to; the music that was played in your home.

LC: Well, I grew up in Arizona so there was a wide mix [of music]. There was a fair amount of Country, but with a Rock-a-Billy vibe. My mother used to play these fantastic old 78s. There was Judy Garland and a lot of juke joint music; Bluesy with a lot of “My man left me”. My mother also taught ballroom dancing, so there was always a lot of music [in our home].

RR: While your were still a teenager, you were playing Las Vegas, in the lounge of the Sahara. What are your strongest memories of that time?

LC: It was wild. It was all just so fabulous. It didn't matter that we were only playing the lounge. All the big names were playing The Strip at the time. I remember walking through the casino and sitting down to play; when the pit boss found out I was underage, he was alarmed. At that age, I was already pretty convinced that I knew what I wanted to do with my life. Of course, at that age, you think you know everything. (Laughs) I certainly would not let my daughter do [what I did]

RR: In 1978, when you recorded your first studio album, 'Portrait', did you tour with it?

LC: I did. By that time I was a headliner in the big rooms in Vegas. I had done a television special and my first big show was at Caesar's Palace. It was very exciting. I had written a couple of the songs on that album. I had a full-time television series. I was recording at night and rehearsing on the weekends. There were endless photo shoots. It was exciting, but very focused, very isolating. The people I spent the most time with during that period were Hair, Makeup and Wardrobe. (laughs) It's true!

RR: Does it seem as strange to you as it does to me that there is more than 30 years between the release your first two albums? 

LC: (Long pause) I hadn't really put that together. After releasing 'Portrait', I did go to (pauses and chuckles) Motown. They were trying to do some cross-over stuff with me. But...it was great to get back into the studio. It is a labor of love and now I have a lot of control over my material. That is very satisfying.

RR: So, there is obviously new momentum to your singing career, with only 2 years between 'At Last' and your new album 'Crazy Little Things'. Tell me about your new record.

LC: I decided that I just didn't want to do what was expected. I wanted to re-imagine, on a creative level, some of the songs that I love. Having lived life a little, being a parent, I was much more capable of interpreting songs from a wider set of experiences. There is also a sense of humor...on 'The Locomotion' which is about dance...well, dancing is sexual, so I slowed the song way down. I have a wonderful group of Nashville musicians, who can, and have done, everything. I am very proud of [this album].

Randy Rice currently resides in Providence, RI with his husband Aron. His love affair with live performance began in 1988 when he saw Sammy Davis Jr., Liza Minnelli and Frank Sinatra on a triple-bill at the Worcester Centrum. Since then, he has attended thousands of live performances in every conceivable genre and venue.

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