It turns out that as children, Chicago-raised Ann Hampton Callaway and Liz Callaway spent five years in New York – on Long Island and in Riverdale. A city-centric intro admirably omits the iconic, twice-titled song. “Every Sunday, we’d go to Korvettes to buy records. Remember Corvette’s?” Descriptions of radically different Sears bedroom sets both reveals and inventively draws us in.
On car trips, the sisters would “torture” their parents with pop hits. In this medley, Melanie’s “Brand New Key” and Three Dog Night’s “Joy to the World” bubble up as if carbonated. Gestures are confined to patting thighs, yet the feeling is no less buoyant. “Are we there yet?” “I don’t feel so good.” Anecdotes are engaging. This is a cozy show. One feels welcome.
When the siblings arrived to conquer New York at 18 and 21, Ann almost immediately got a series of piano bar jobs, while Liz became a performing waitress. Aspiration is exemplified by a snippet of Richard Rodgers’ “The Sweetest Sounds” (from No Strings) which segues to “I Can See It” (Harvey Schmidt/
Tom Jones from The Fantasticks). Liz holds a note, while Ann’s vocal slides. Harmony is mosaic.
Referring to people met then – and kept – Ann has the first solo with a few bars of “My Buddy” (Walter Donaldson/Gus Kahn), followed by “Old Friend.” (Nancy Ford/Gretchen Cryer). Hand in her lap, she sways slightly. Ritt Henn’s bowed bass gently supports the wordless part of the vocal = Heartstrings. Ron Tierno’s subtle cymbal burnishes the parentheses like a breeze.
Ann Hampton Callaway
“When I hear this song, I can’t help thinking about how we all came together after 9/11 and how I wish we could come together again,” Ann tells us. “Blowin’ in the Wind” (Bob Dylan) begins incantatory with only piano chords, then whomps, accosting, into tough, percussive declaration – octaves whipping, hand unusually fisted.
Liz found “Meadowlark” at the Library of Lincoln Center when looking for material to sing at Applause. I first heard it from her, then tracked down the song’s origin, The Baker’s Wife by Stephen Schwartz. Performance was and is simply gorgeous. Adam Gwon’s story-song “I’ll Be Here” finds the artist becoming an ingénue again before our eyes. “I’ll be here/Even if you decide to get rid of my favorite sweater…” Sincerity and vulnerability are palpable.
Liz Callaway, Ritt Henn
Unexpected, 1955 “Cloudburst” (Jimmy Harris/LeRoy Kirkland/Jon Hendricks) is definitely in Ann’s wheelhouse, though Liz rises to the task of darting jitterbug rhythm. Both scat. Crisp enunciation adds to brio. “The Way We Were”(Alan and Marilyn Bergman), hand in hand with “I Happen to Like New York” (Cole Porter) close the show with heart. A shimmering encore of “Grateful” inspires.
MD Alex Rybeck takes best advantage of the sisters’ distinct talents to create arrangements showcasing both with originality and flare.
Credit should be given to Dan Foster whose stage direction makes relating look just right while appearing deceptively casual.
Photos by Alix Cohen
Ann Hampton Callaway and Liz Callaway: New York State of Mind
MD- Alex Rybeck
Directed by Dan Foster
Ritt Henn – Bass; Ron Tierno – Drums
November 26-30
54 Below
254 West 54th Street
