By Bart Greenberg***After 15 years, sisters Liz and Ann Hampton Callaway brought their celebration of the music of the 1960s and ’70s, Boom!– the songs they grew up with – back to 54Below. And the show was just as funny, moving and heart-warming 
as the first time around. Tying their varied song list into their personal stories of growing up and how the musicalways helped to unite them, despite having very different personalities, gave the evening a special glow. Backed up by an impressive trio of musicians (two of them from the original show), the “Boom Boys” included Ron Tierno (drums), Ritt Henn (bass) and music director-pianist Alex Rybeck, while Dan Foster served as director. All were at th
e top of their game.
But it was the Callaway sisters who were at center stage where they belonged.Each took their own turns with solo numbers, at points with their sibling providing back up vocals (both Rybeck and Henn contributed more as well). But when their voices blended, it was thrilling, with both the sound quality and the effortless merging carrying the audience away. Such numbers as “Come Together” (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) and a fabulously campy “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’” (Lee Hazlewood)—with appropriate footwear and glasses – were sheer delight.
Each of the women also took their 
solo spots. Liz was a powerhouse on “(There’s) Always Something There to Remind Me” (Burt Bacharach, Hal David), her favorite composer from the ’60s. Later, she gave a strong acting performance with a mashup of two Jimmy Webb tunes: “Didn’t We” and “MacArthur Park,” coupled with the story of an amusing encounter with the songwriter. Ann accompanied herself on the piano (and oh, can she play) for a beautifully delivered “A Case of You” (Joni Mitchell). But nothing could top her “Blowin’ in the Wind” (Bob Dylan, with her own additional lyrics), in part a tribute to her father, John Callaway, a well-known Chicago journalist and 
television/radio personality. The number began quietly and evolved into a show-stopping gospel rave. As Liz observed afterwards, “that’s my sister!”
There were many other highlights along the way: Liz singing the wordless “Star Trek Theme” (Alexander Courage, Gene Roddenberry) and a perky medley of “I Know a Place” and “Downtown” (both Tony Hatch), plus a mega medley of Stevie Wonder tunes that they shared. The show certainly made a strong argument for the power of the pop music of a generation, and an even stronger one for the magic that is the Callaway Sisters.
Photos by Maryann Lopinto
