Acclaimed jazz artist, composer and songwriter Ann Hampton Callaway and her sister, Broadway star, Liz Callaway, will perform in The Callaway Sisters: Sibling Revelry, with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, under Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly, Friday, September 17- through Sunday, September 19. Presented at the Hilbert Circle Theatre, the show opens the ISO's 2010-2011 Printing Partners Pop Series.
Performing songs from their 1996 CD, Sibling Revelry (recorded live in 1995 at the legendary Rainbow & Stars) on which the show is based, the program will also include many favorites from the American Songbook, pop and jazz standards, Broadway show tunes and others.
Recently, the sisters, who both live in New York, spoke separately by phone with examiner.com.
Q & A with Liz Callaway
examiner: How was "Sibling Revelry" developed?
LC: Ann and I always dreamed of doing 'Sibling Revelry' with an orchestra. Jack Everly had also spoken about it as well so when Ann did Yuletide with the ISO a couple of years ago, she got to talking with Jack and Ty about it and they said, 'We want to do it and be the first ones to do an orchestra concert version of Sibling Revelry." So we're doing a lot of what was on the original CD. Not all of it, but a lot of it will be in the concert but its expanded because it's a two act version. We are so excited and can't wait hear how the show sounds with a gorgeous orchestra.
examiner: So the show is actually a tryout?
LC: Yes. They [ISO] so such incredible concerts and shows there. I can't think of any place I would rather do 'Sibling Revelry' than in Indianapolis. Jack is fantastic. I haven't worked with him for over 25 years. We did 'In Performance at the White House' when Reagan was President. It was one of those PBS specials.
examiner: Are there any bookings for the show beyond this run?
LC: That's still in the future. We have high hopes for it. Yes, Ann and I have always felt that 'Sibling Revelry' definitely belongs in a theater-expanded and worked on---production values we would love to do in a Broadway theater. I think that in the back of our minds---a dream of ours. You never know.
examiner: Any other shows you've done together?
LC: We have a new show we premiered in New York with baby boomer era pop music, called 'Boom,' that we've been touring around with. We hope to do 'Sibling Revelry' with a lot of orchestras. Maybe 'Boom' will come back as well with an orchestra. Ann and I are really fortunate that we've had really good careers in a variety of mediums---theatre, concerts and recordings and Ann with her incredible writing of course. I'm sure she'll agree with me that we love to work together and its such a treat for us to spend time with each other and on stage together. There's just nothing like it. I think that's what audiences enjoy when they see us together. We're incredibly different. We look different, we sound different but then there's that sister-blend that happens as well. We have a great love and affection for each other. I think people enjoy our performances on many levels.
examiner: Is your interaction on stage natural or scripted?
LC: A little of both. As in all good theatre, you have to put in some time and you write certain things that work. Then again, Ann and I are both very spontaneous as well on stage. We have kind of a road map of what we're doing on stage but we like to be 'in the moment' and see what happens. We keep each other on our toes.
examiner: What else are you doing these days?
LC: I've been doing a lot of concerts all over the place. I was in Australia for three weeks this summer with Steven Schwartz. I have a new CD, 'Passage of Time,' with some songs we're doing in 'Sibling Revelry.' I've been very busy. We're also touring with 'Boom' this fall as well.
examiner: When you appeared at the Cabaret (then at the Connoisseur Room) in Indianapolis last year how were the audiences?
LC: I thought the audiences were tremendous. Very in the know about music, very smart, and very warm and lovely. I had a wonderful time when I was there. It was my first time in Indianapolis and I had a ball. Being from the Midwest, there is just a 'Midwest vibe' that is unmistakable and I feel very happy and at home performing there. I'm so pleased the Cabaret is doing well because there aren't that many cities in the U.S.that really support cabaret. People in Indianapolis---they get the best of both worlds. They can see performers in a small, intimate setting and they can also see the symphony---the production values and the musicians who are incredible. Indianapolis is a really happening place.
Q & A with Ann Hampton Callaway
examiner: Would you say you have a history with Indianapolis?
AHC: I do. I feel like the adopted daughter of Indianapolis and I get bring my sister with me. Every time I sing in Indianapolis I have an amazing time. I love the orchestra. I love the people, my conductor. I did 'Yuletide,' twenty eight shows [2008]. You can't not have an amazing time doing that show and it was a lot of fun and this show's going to be very exciting.
examiner: You apparently made a very positive impression on the cast.
AHC: It was a great experience and a great casts. It was sort of like my second experience in being in a Broadway show. The first time I did 'Swing' on Broadway. There's a kind of a family bond that happens when you work that hard, that fast and give it your all, so they're a great group of people and I'm looking forward to hopefully seeing them---the friends I made during that time. It was also a great Facebook time because I remember my first fabulous post when I was told I was going to be wearing a tiara and I'd never worn one before. So I remember posting on Facebook, 'Boys, I'm wearing my first tiara---any tips?'. And I think 70 comments from the top drag queens around the country. It was really wonderful!
examiner: What is the history of "Sibling Revelry"
AHC: We've been doing 'Sibling Revelry' since we opened the show in 1996, around the world. It has evolved and changed, updated, etc. It was always a dream do it with a symphony orchestra and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra with Jack at the helm---there couldn't be a better orchestra because he understands the music, he understands us, the production values that can make the show really special and working with Ty Johnson and his great team. It's given us an opportunity to be much more theatrical than almost any symphony orchestra in the country which is such a perfect setting for the show.
examiner: What is the content of the show?
AHC: It's a two Act show so we're doing sort of the bones of the show but we've added a lot of great signature songs and of course a huge medley and we have a lot more costume changes than we originally had dreamed of. So I'm glad we have the world famous ISO dressers so they'll get us all set for that. It's a great show for the family because I think when people come and see our show that they'll just want to call their sister, their brother, or their mom or their dad and say, 'I love you." We joke about the rivalry between us but I think that's what audiences come away.
examiner: Any family coming?
AHC: My mom is flying out to be there and my Uncle, her brother is coming out with 15 people so it's going to be a special time. My mom was born in Indianapolis. I don't how long she stayed there but her family moved to a small town in Illinois. But she has her Hoosier status. She also came in to see the Christmas show [Yuletide], when I was there and had a fabulous time and my sister came up too and sang the song I wrote with me, 'God Bless my Family,' and I think that is when the idea finally cemented itself. 'Wouldn't it be great to have the Callaway sisters?' Because the audience really responded to the two of us singing that afternoon. There is really something very special about two very different people coming together for songs and Liz and I have such different looks and voices and backgrounds but when it comes together it's something better than even our individuals acts
examiner: Do you want to see this show go to Broadway?
AHC: Absolutely! It's been a dream. Liz and I both love singing with the great orchestras around the country and it's always a treat. I'll be singing with the Boston pops on September 24. When a symphony act comes together and to travel around the country with my sister will be great. But Broadway is definitely something that Liz and I talked about doing because we both have Broadway roots and the show is so theatrical. Perhaps in some incarnation this would be a perfect show at least for a limited run on the Old White Way.
Ticket prices for the Friday 11 a.m. concert are priced from $26-$48 each, with evening concert prices from $20-$75 and special children’s tickets (ages 4-12) from $10-$75 for the Sunday 3 p.m. program only. Performance times are at 11 a.m. and 8 p.m., Friday; 8 p.m., Saturday; and 3 p.m., Sunday. Tickets may be ordered by calling the Hilbert Circle Theatre Box Office at (317) 639-4300, or online at www.IndianapolisSymphony.org.
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