Vocalist Linda Purl will take center stage March 23 in the next Live At The Orinda!
The possibilities are endless when it comes to Linda Purl and her myriad of talents. The actress, jazz singer, entrepreneur and active supporter of a wide variety of causes comes to Orinda March 23 with a show titled, not surprisingly, “Possibilities . . . Songs of Hope, Risk and Maybe.”
Part of the uber-popular Live at the Orinda! concert series, Purl and her long-time music director, jazz great Tedd Firth, take the stage at 5 p.m. for a jazzy look at what might lie ahead.
“I first met Tedd when I was hired to do a job in New York, and they said I had to use their young music director,” said Purl. “I was very hesitant but agreed. Then Tedd put his hands on the piano and my life completely changed. He’s brilliant and so intuitive. I approach the music as an actress first. Each song is like a little one-act play, and he’s right there with me. He keys into the feel, the theme of the lyric, the emotional arc behind it. So as an actress and a singer I feel so supported.”
Purl and Firth will perform music from her many albums as well as American songbook favorites. Songs include “Possibilities,” originated by Linda Lavin, and Mel Torme’s “Swinging on the Moon.”
Even so, most audiences think of Purl as primarily an actress – and for good reason. She played Fonzie’s girlfriend on “Happy Days,” Matlock’s daughter on the TV show of the same name and was a regular on “The Office,” not to mention numerous films, Broadway and regional theater. But singing was always one of her loves.
“I grew up in Japan and did musicals, while recording mostly pop tunes there. Then when I was 18, we came back to California and I got into television,” Purl said.
While she didn’t have much time for singing, she became involved in the various AIDS’ fundraisers at the time and found herself meeting other performers who loved music.
“I was grateful to be part of supporting people suffering with AIDS and realized it also reopened my life to the possibility of music,” she said. “I connected with my first music director, Ron Abel, and we created a cabaret act. It was absolutely terrifying because you break the fourth wall and you’re out there all alone. Thank God, you have your musicians.”
Purl also realized that with cabaret she had more control over her performing life. She didn’t have to just sit around and wait for a job. Instead, she could get together with her musicians and music director and build a show.
“It was never intended as a career move. It was really just for the joy of music – a way to keep art moving and active in my life,” Purl said.
Now, after 16 years with Firth and four albums, her cabaret act has definitely become an important part of her career.
“Doing the shows is just so joyful,” Purl said. “At this point after 16 years, Tedd and I have known each other so well and working together is very intuitive and fun. It’s in the moment and for better or worse – things happen.”
Purl also finds time to do stage work, most recently starring as the title character in “Mame” at Florida Theatre and Theatre Jacksonville.
“It’s such an unbelievable role,” Purl said. “I always loved the music, but I didn’t realize the humanity of it and the gorgeous orchestrations until I started rehearsals.”
Immediately following her show in Orinda, Purl heads back to Los Angeles to open in the world premiere of “Crazy Mama,” one-woman show by Sharon Scott Williams. In this tour-de-force, Purl plays 16 characters.
“It’s a 64-page monologue,” Purl said.
Purl and her real-life partner Patrick Duffy (star of “Dallas” and “Step by Step”) performed in “Love Letters” at the Orinda Theatre for Valentine’s Day 2024 and were very impressed with the venue and Orinda.
“It’s a magical venue and a jewel for a special community. I’m happy to return because I so loved the audience and the beautiful area,” said Purl. “I have a friend moving to the Bay Area to be near her daughter in Berkeley, and I told her she had to check out Orinda.”
And Orindans should check out Linda Purl.
For tickets to Linda Purl at Live at the Orinda!, go to orindamovies.com/concert-series/.
With a plethora of awards and kudos between them, music director and pianist Tedd Firth and actress, singer Linda Purl bring Songs of Hope, Risk and Maybe to Live at the Orinda! March 23. Best known for such popular TV shows as “Happy Days,” “Matlock” and “The Office,” Purl surprises with her warm and inviting singing style and a voice that just draws you in.
