I'm Back!
Rehearsing Stephen Schwartz, a sister project, and Mother’s Day
Hello Friends,
Happy Spring! My apologies for not sending out a newsletter last month—honestly, I couldn’t think of anything to write about!
I’m currently in the throes of preparing for my upcoming Stephen Schwartz shows at 54 Below. Confession: on Tuesday, I suddenly realized that I was opening at 54 Below next week. For some reason, I thought I had two weeks. YIKES! Does that ever happen to you? I’ve had a number of “Wait—it’s Friday? It feels like Sunday” moments this year—probably because of the unusual number of mid-week gigs I’ve had.
I thought it would be fun to share some rehearsal videos I shot on Thursday. Normally, I rehearse with my musical director, Alex Rybeck, in the city, but this time he took the train up to my house to work on the show with me, Dan (who is directing), and Oliver, who is... supervising.
A little bit about Alex—we met during Merrily We Roll Along. He was an intern in the music department. We started our long collaboration in 1991, when I was doing Miss Saigon and about to begin making my first solo album, Anywhere I Wander: Liz Callaway Sings Frank Loesser. We’ve done so many albums and shows together over the years, including all my sister shows with Ann. He's truly the best.
Alex has a famously dry sense of humor. As you will see, our rehearsals are never dull.
WARDROBE NOTE: The night before this rehearsal, the Knicks miraculously won their second playoff game against the Celtics. Hence, my rehearsal attire.
The first Stephen Schwartz show I ever saw was the national tour of Pippin in Chicago—I saw it three times. Pippin is well represented in my 54 Below show.
Here’s a snippet of one of the songs I’m doing. (Cinematography by Dan) If you can’t view the video, click here.
On the train into the city yesterday, I spontaneously decided to post that video on TikTok. Previously, I only had one video up—my Once Upon a Vote video from last November.
In 24 hours, “Corner of the Sky” already has over 15K views.
Oliver is now a TikTok star! (What have I done?)
Speaking of my sweet boy, here’s one more video from Thursday’s rehearsal. This song from The Magic Show is one of my favorites, and was one of the most requested songs for this show. Oliver likes when I sing “Lion Tamer” around the house. When I practice “Bless the Lord”? Not so much.
I’m livestreaming my show next Saturday, May 17, at 7pm ET. If you can’t come in person, I hope you’ll join me from your home! It’s going to be a very fun show—albeit without the That Girl theme song.
CLICK HERE FOR LIVESTREAM TICKETS
If you can come in person, 54 Below is offering a 20% discount through May 13 with the code WIZARD20. There are also a few subsidized $15 seats available for the Friday, May 16 show, for those for whom the cost to attend is too much right now.
CLICK HERE FOR 54 BELOW TICKETS
Where in the World Is Liz?
In addition to my 54 Below shows, here’s where you’ll find me next month. I’m going to wracking up a lot of frequent flyer miles. May the Newark Airport Gods be with me!
May 14-17 NEW YORK, NY The Wizard and I: Liz Callaway Sings Stephen Schwartz
May 17 LIVESTREAM The Wizard and I: Liz Callaway Sings Stephen Schwartz
June 6-8 BAINBRIDGE ISLAND/SEATTLE, WA JazzVox House Concert Series
June 14 CHICAGO, IL To Steve With Love: Liz Callaway Celebrates Sondheim (The poster outside the Studebaker Theatre is up!)
June 21 ARCADIA, CA Pasadena Pops with Maestro Michael Feinstein and Joshua Henry
June 26 FLUSHING, NY National Anthem New York Mets vs Atlanta Braves
CLICK HERE FOR MY FULL SCHEDULE
A Fun Sister Project
Last month was my birthday, and when Ann asked what I wanted, I said I’d actually love an Amazon gift card so I could buy a bunch of books. One of the books I really wanted was The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life by Suleika Jaouad, whose Substack,
When the gift card showed up in my inbox (thanks, Ann and Kari!), the first thing I did was pre-order the book, which came out on Tuesday, April 22. It has essays and journaling prompts from 100 writers and artists. I said to Ann, why don’t you order the book too, and we can do it together? She pre-ordered the Kindle version, and we each bought matching notebooks.
We decided that every day we’d do the next prompt, take a photo of our journal when we finished, and text it to each other. When Ann saw that underneath the book jacket was a secret journal cover, she was sad not to have the physical book—so I ordered her a hard copy (with her gift card!) to be delivered the next day. Now, when she’s home, she reads the hardcover, and when she’s on the road, she reads the Kindle version.
I can’t tell you how much I’m enjoying this sister project. I’ve never kept a journal before, and the prompts are so interesting—lots of memories are being excavated. And I think it’s great for Ann to have the tactile experience of writing in a journal again.
A Note for Mother Day
And finally, tomorrow is Mother’s Day. Not the easiest day of the year for many—I’m sending much love to those of you for whom tomorrow will be hard.
Last year, I did a special Mother’s Day issue of Between Flights, which included a song with Ann and our mom, and an at-home video of Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman’s gorgeous “The Place Where Lost Things Go” from Mary Poppins Returns.
This year, I’d like to leave you with a video of “The Story Goes On” that I made during the pandemic with seven fellow Broadway moms.
That’s all for now. Thank you for reading this issue of Between Flights.
Have a great weekend!
xoxo Liz
PS I always love hearing from you in the comments. Please let me know if you have anything you’d like me to write about, or sing in future issues. You know I LOVE suggestions!
Happy Mother’s Day, Liz. Your posts are always filled with good cheer, great music, and thoughtfulness. We will be vacationing on Cape Cod on the 17th, but will enjoy watching the live stream. You must be excited about the Knicks and Mets? I hope they continue to thrill you!
Dear Liz, I just read this addition. I waited until I could really concentrate. The Knicks,Mets and Cubs have captured my attention. As you know the Knicks won #3 tonight!
I love your mother's day tributes. As I have told you, mine was very special to me.
I am looking forward to your next 54 Below streaming and seeing you in person in Chicago!
One of the first times I communicated with you, I suggested some songs. After my suggestions, I apologized for being so presumptuous. But when I met you the first time, you remembered that I had some suggestions and were so gracious.
I look forward to seeing your tribute to Sondheim, I've lost count of how many times I've seen it. But I love it!