Lynda Carter back on casino circuit

You mean Wonder Woman can sing?

Lynda Carter always could. "I'm very at home on the stage," says the TV icon and former Las Vegas headliner, who returns for shows at the Suncoast this weekend.

Even before the role that made her a star in 1975, Carter was acquainted with Las Vegas lounges. A singer since age 14, she worked the Mint and Sahara singing in groups with names such as Justus and The Relatives.

"I knew I needed to do something else," says Carter, who turns 61 on July 24. After winning the Miss World USA pageant in 1972, she took her savings and moved to Los Angeles. But she had to be careful.

"Trying to be an actor, you couldn't tell anyone you were a singer," she says. "The era of the musical was long gone. They wanted actors. They didn't want singers who wanted to be actors."

That all changed with "Wonder Woman." The comic-book-inspired television series made Carter's star-spangled britches a TV staple on two networks for three seasons. When it ran its course, Carter magic-lassoed Las Vegas, first as an opening act to Rich Little and George Burns, later as a headliner.

Being an empty nester prompted Carter to get back on the casino circuit after performing on the West End in "Chicago" in 2006. Her new album, "Crazy Little Thing," is a collection of pop and swing classics creatively reimagined by Carter and veteran Nashville producer Kyle Lehning.

Many of the seasoned players on the album travel as part of her 10-piece road ensemble.

"They are all kind of featured; it's not just a mention at the end of the show," she says.

Contact reporter Mike Weatherford at
mweatherford@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0288.