Tony, Tony, Tony...
The 40th Anniversary of my Tony Nomination
Hello Friends,
Happy June! As many of you theatre lovers know, The Tony Awards are on Sunday night. As it’s the 40th anniversary of my Tony nomination for Baby, I thought it would be fun to share my 1984 “Tony experience” with you.
A little background: Baby opened at the Barrymore Theatre on December 4, 1983. The reviews ranged from raves by WCBS-TV’s Dennis Cunningham, (back when local news stations covered Broadway openings) to not-so-good : “A musical only a gynecologist could love.”- The New Yorker. The audiences loved the show, but we struggled to fill seats. During Wednesday matinees, someone would drop off a copy of Variety to the stage right quick-change room and we would read that week’s grosses. And worry. Our closing notice would go up and then be taken down. The principals took 50% pay cuts. Our only chance of survival was to get Tony nominations. On Monday, May 8, 1984, I woke up to the happy news that Baby had received a whopping 7 nominations: Best Musical, Score, Book, Direction, Choreography, Featured Actor in a Musical (Todd Graff), and Featured Actress in a Musical (yours truly). I was thrilled to be nominated along with Todd, but I was sad that my other co-stars weren’t recognized, as it was such an ensemble piece.
With seven nominations, we had a new lease on life. A Tony commercial with cute babies was filmed and sales picked up. Side note: back in the day, standing ovations weren’t de rigueur, unlike 2024, where Broadway audiences immediately leap to their feet at curtain calls. Baby wasn’t a “standing ovation” kind of show, but in the month between the nominations coming out and the awards show, we got standing ovations for every performance!
After an exciting month of packed houses, the big day arrived.
1984 was a very strong year for musicals- Baby, La Cage aux Folles, Sunday in the Park With George, The Tap Dance Kid, and The Rink. We thought our best chance of winning a Tony that could keep us running would be Best Score in a Musical.
The producers chose “I Want It All” to be performed on the Tonys. We were scheduled to sing it about half an hour into the show after the Best Score award was given.
Picture it—Catherine Cox, Beth Fowler, and I are behind the show curtain about to sing our song and learn our fate. We hold hands and hope.
This is what we heard:
That was it. We knew we were going to close. But we still had a song to sing. And damn it, that’s what we did!
After our performance, I changed back into my evening gown and took my seat. My date for the night was my great pal, Jason Graae. My category came up about three-quarters the way through the broadcast. Until a few days ago, I didn’t know that the entire 1984 Tony Awards show was on YouTube, so I hadn’t seen this moment in 40 years!
Tony Roberts Announces Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
At the end of the evening, Baby hadn’t won any awards, and I knew the show was coming to an end. But I had so much fun, both at the Awards and the after-party at the Waldorf Astoria. It was like the Prom I never went to. I got home very late, turned on my answering machine, and stepped in a pile of dog “excrement.” There were a dozen messages from friends and family- “Good luck. I know you’re going to win…” followed by “I’m so sorry you didn’t win…” I stood there in my gown, shoe in shit, and cried.
Baby closed a month later. But all was not bleak—a few weeks before we closed, I met this guy named Dan for a drink at a Mexican restaurant called Caramba! We ended up closing three restaurants that night, and two weeks later, we moved in together. The rest is history. (There’s a long story about how Dan and I met, which I will save for another day.)
Speaking of Dan and the Tony Awards- Dan became a member of the Tony Nominating Committee this year. As you can see, he saw a LOT of shows this season, including 12 shows in the last 2 weeks of April. I was his date for many of the shows, except for when I was on the road or there was Knicks playoff game. After seeing so many plays and musicals, I’m particularly looking forward to watching this year’s Tonys. Congratulations to all the nominees, as well as everyone who put on shows this year.
When You’ve Got Friends Like Mine
A few years ago, Broadway conductor, pianist and composer Joshua Rosenblum interviewed me for a book he was writing about my dear friends Richard Maltby Jr and David Shire. What started out as a “Pandemic Project” for Joshua is now out in the world! I’ve read about half of Closer Than Ever so far and I’m loving it. Congrats to Joshua on his first book, and to Richard and David on their incredible 60+-year collaboration. As I told them at a book release event on Monday night, they changed my life, and I’ll always be grateful to them for writing Baby, and giving me “The Story Goes On” to sing.
.
Where in the World is Liz?
In my last newsletter I mentioned that I was going to be staying close to home for a while, but that was a LIE! On May 29, I flew to Las Vegas to surprise my beloved sister Ann for her birthday. I’ve never seen her so shocked!
Except for a quick trip to CA for a private event, I really am staying close to home the next few months, and all my gigs are drivable! First up: my Tonys date, the hilarious Jason Graae and I are performing at 54 Below on July 3, 5 & 6. This will be the first time we’ve ever done a show together in NYC! Happily, we will be live streaming the show on Saturday. July 6 at 7:00pm ET.
Other summer dates include concerts in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, the Catskills, Provincetown, a national anthem for the Mets, and a charity tennis/golf outing for The Actors Fund Home. (I dare you to try and ace me!)
And for my friends in San Francisco, I have GREAT news. At long last I have my rescheduled dates for my movie music show, Screen Gems at Feinstein’s at the Nikko- Sept 27 & 28!
I hope to see you in person on one of these dates or “sense” you from your homes on July 6!
July 3, 5 & 6 NEW YORK, NY Happily Ever Laughter w/ Jason Graae
July 6 LIVESTREAM Happily Ever Laughter w/ Jason Graae
July 7 ELDRED, NY To Steve With Love: Liz Callaway Celebrates Sondheim
July 19 NEW MILFORD, CT ‘S Wonderful The Sherman Chamber Music Ensemble with Special Guest, Liz Callaway
July 26 SWIFTWATER, PA Liz Callaway: Broadway and Beyond
Aug 2 HAWLEY, PA Liz Callaway & Joseph Thalken From Broadway to Hollywood
August 19 TENAFLY N.J. 2024 Jock Duncan Memorial Celebri-TEE Golf & Tennis Outing
Aug 20 FLUSHING, NY. National Anthem at the Mets vs Orioles Game
Aug 30-31 PROVINCETOWN, MA John McDaniel’s Broadway Series: Liz Callaway
Sept 27-28 SAN FRANCISCO, CA Screen Gems: Liz Callaway Sings the Movies
Click here for my full schedule.
And finally, Sunday is also Father’s Day. How I miss my Dad. John Callaway was a great father, a devoted Cubs fan who supported my Mets fandom, and one of the world’s greatest interviewers.
I wish all the Dads out there a Happy Father’s Day and send much love to all of you who are missing your Dad like I am.
Thanks for reading, watching, and listening. I always love hearing from you, so please drop me a line in the comments and say hi. I welcome your ideas, song suggestions, and recipes for future issues!
Have a great weekend!
xoxo Liz
PS If you enjoyed this edition of Between Flights, I would so appreciate it if you would spread the word about my newsletter.
Liz! This is really great- i love reading these!!!!
Thanks Liz! It worked. Oh dear, I know it’s late so sweet dreams.