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Liz Callaway
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Liz Callaway (born April 13, 1961) is an American actress, singer and recording artist, who is best known for having provided the singing voices of many female characters in animated films, such as Anastasia in Anastasia, Odette in The Swan Princess, Jasmine in the Aladdin sequels The Return of Jafar and Aladdin and the King of Thieves, adult Kiara in The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, a dancing napkin ring in Beauty and the Beast, and the Speaker of God in Hazbin Hotel. She was also the original Ellen in the Broadway production of Miss Saigon.
Key Information
Early life, family, and education
[edit]Callaway was born in Chicago, Illinois to Shirley Callaway, a singer, pianist, and vocal coach, and John Callaway, a journalist.[1] Her sister is actress, composer, and singer Ann Hampton Callaway, with whom she sang the theme song for the Fran Drescher comedy series The Nanny, which Ann Hampton Callaway also composed. Both sisters attended New Trier High School (New Trier East) in Winnetka, Illinois.[2][1] Callaway has also appeared in a number of cabaret and stage productions with her sister. Recordings of two of them, Sibling Revelry recorded live at Rainbow and Stars in 1995 and Boom! recorded live at Birdland in 2011, have been released.
Career
[edit]Liz Callaway made her Broadway debut in Stephen Sondheim's short-lived Merrily We Roll Along (1981). This began a long-term professional relationship with Sondheim: Callaway has performed in a number of live concerts in his honor, appeared with Sondheim on Inside the Actors Studio, and also played the role of Young Sally in the Lincoln Center concert production of Follies with Mandy Patinkin, Barbara Cook, George Hearn, Lee Remick, Carol Burnett, Elaine Stritch, and the New York Philharmonic. Follies was recorded live and also filmed as a documentary.
Additional stage credits include Lizzie in Baby (for which she earned a Tony Award nomination), The Three Musketeers, The Spitfire Grill (for which she earned a Drama Desk Award nomination), Sunday in the Park with George, Evita, and Miss Saigon. Liz also performed in The Look of Love, a 2003 musical revue of the songs of Burt Bacharach and Hal David. As a replacement on Broadway, Callaway played the role of Grizabella for five years in Cats.[3] Callaway also had her own children's television show on WNEV-TV in Boston, Ready to Go, which ran from 1987 to 1991, winning her an Emmy Award.[4] She left this series to begin rehearsals for Miss Saigon on Broadway.
In July 2012, she starred as Norma Desmond in the Pittsburgh CLO's new production of Sunset Boulevard[5]
Callaway has also provided the singing voices for a number of animated characters, including Anya/Anastasia in Anastasia, Kiara in The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, Princess Jasmine in The Return of Jafar and Aladdin and the King of Thieves, and Princess Odette in The Swan Princess.
She has performed various cabaret acts at Joe's Pub, Rainbow and Stars, the Russian Tea Room, 54 Below, and Lincoln Center in New York City, and at the Donmar Warehouse in London, among other venues.
Callaway's solo recordings include Anywhere I Wander (1993), The Story Goes On (1995), and The Beat Goes On (2001). She released her fourth recording, Passage of Time, for the record label PS Classics, on October 20, 2009, which featured an appearance with her sister Ann Hampton Callaway. In 2015 she released an album of songs from her most recognized work, The Essential Liz Callaway. In 2022 To Steve with Love: Liz Callaway Celebrates Sondheim was released, a live performance from 54 Below. Callaway has also released two Christmas recordings.
Liz was honored at the 25th Annual Bistro Awards in New York City.[6]
Personal life
[edit]In 1985, Callaway married theatre director and producer Dan Foster, a founding producer of the Hudson Stage Company, a nonprofit, professional theatre company in residence at Pace University in Westchester County, New York.[7] They have a son.[8]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Beauty and the Beast | Additional voices | |
| 1994 | The Return of Jafar | Princess Jasmine (singing voice) | Direct-to-video |
| The Swan Princess | Princess Odette (singing voice) | ||
| 1995 | Pocahontas | Chorus (voice) | |
| 1996 | Aladdin and the King of Thieves | Princess Jasmine (singing voice) | Direct-to-video |
| 1997 | Anastasia | Anastasia (singing voice) | |
| The Brave Little Toaster to the Rescue | Singer (voice) | Direct-to-video | |
| 1998 | The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars | Singer (voice) | Direct-to-video |
| The Lion King II: Simba's Pride | Adult Kiara (singing voice) | Direct-to-video | |
| The Swan Princess: Sing Along | Princess Odette (singing voice) | Direct-to-video | |
| 1999 | Bartok the Magnificent | Ensemble cast (voice) | |
| 2002 | The Princess and the Pea | Princess Sara (singing voice)[citation needed] | |
| 2012 | Didi Lightful | Mrs. Lightful (voice) | Short |
| 2013 | Despicable Me | Various (voice)[citation needed] | Uncredited |
| 2014 | The Rewrite | Mrs. Lerner |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Senior Trip | Judy Matheson | Television film |
| 1987 | Lyle, Lyle Crocodile: The Musical – The House on East 88th Street | Mrs. Primm (singing voice) | Television film |
| 1993 | The Nanny | Performer on the opening theme | Performed with Ann Hampton Callaway |
| 2016 | The Mentors | Mentor | Episode: "Liz Callaway & Lauren Ashley Carter" |
| 2025 | Hazbin Hotel | The Speaker of God[9] (speaking & singing voice) | Episode: "Storyteller" |
Discography
[edit]- Anywhere I Wander (Varèse Sarabande) (September 28, 1993)
- Magical Selections from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack of Disney's Aladdin (Walt Disney Records, 1995) - performer on "Forget About Love" (duet with Gilbert Gottfried) & "Out of Thin Air" (duet with Brad Kane)
- Sibling Revelry (DRG, 1996) with Ann Hampton Callaway
- The Story Goes On (Varèse Sarabande) (August 29, 1995)
- The Beat Goes On (Varèse Sarabande) (May 15, 2001)
- Passage of Time (PS Classics) (October 20, 2009)
- Boom! Live at Birdland (PS Classics, 2011) with Ann Hampton Callaway
- The Essential Liz Callaway (2015)
- Merry and Bright (2013)[10]
- Comfort and Joy (An Acoustic Christmas) (Working Girl Records) with Peter Calo (December 4, 2020)
- To Steve with Love: Liz Callaway Celebrates Sondheim (Working Girl Records) (November 11, 2022) [11]
- Hazbin Hotel: Season Two (Original Soundtrack) (2025) - performer on "Sera's Confession" (duet with Patina Miller)
References
[edit]- ^ a b Reich, Howard (June 20, 2000). "She Did It Her Way: Ann Hampton Callaway Makes It To Broadway On Her Own Terms". Chicago Tribune. New York. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
- ^ "Award-winning Broadway actress and singer Liz Callaway to perform with New Trier Choir-Opera on April 26". newtrier.k12.il.us. New Trier High School. April 26, 2016. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
- ^ "Liz Callaway: Credits, Bio, News & More". www.broadwayworld.com. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
- ^ Amodeo, John (November 18, 2021). "In Front of Audiences Again, Cabaret's Liz Callaway 'Feels Amazing'". Retrieved June 1, 2022.
- ^ Eberson, Sharon (November 24, 2011). "Theater Notes: CLO lands Callaway; City actor makes mean cocktail". Pittsburgh Post Gazette. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
- ^ Elli (2010). "Review: 25th Annual Bistro Awards". NiteLifeExchange.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016.
- ^ "Hudson Stage Company becomes artist in residence at Pace University Briarcliff Campus". News Coverage and Releases. Pace University. February 28, 2005. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
- ^ "Croton-on-Hudson Resident Liz Callaway's Life as an Actress, Wife, and Mother". September 26, 2012.
- ^ Sharpe, Josh (July 24, 2025). "HAZBIN HOTEL Sets Season 2 Premiere; Andrew Durand, Alex Newell, & More Join Cast". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
- ^ "Liz Callaway | Album Discography | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
- ^ Ganz, Andrew. "Liz Callaway to Release Stephen Sondheim Tribute Album in November". www.playbill.com. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
External links
[edit]
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|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| People | |
| Other | |
Liz Callaway
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life and education
Upbringing and family
Liz Callaway was born on April 13, 1961, in Chicago, Illinois, to parents John Callaway, a prominent television and radio journalist known for hosting Chicago Tonight, and Shirley Callaway, a skilled singer, pianist, and vocal coach who later became a celebrated Broadway voice teacher. The family lived in Winnetka, a suburb north of Chicago, though they spent five years in New York during her childhood due to her father's job transfer, where Liz experienced additional artistic influences.[4] Back in Winnetka, her childhood was marked by intellectual and artistic stimulation from her parents' professions.[5][6][7] The Callaway home was a hub of musical activity, with Shirley's expertise fostering an environment rich in song and piano practice, while John's broadcasting career introduced the family to diverse sounds, including jazz classics he admired and shared through radio and television. Liz often listened to records and joined informal family sing-alongs, though her initial shyness led her to practice show tunes privately, such as into a hairbrush when alone. Her mother played a key role in encouraging public expression, insisting Liz perform at family gatherings by having guests turn away to ease her discomfort.[8][9] Liz shared her early years with her older sister, Ann Hampton Callaway, who pursued a career as a jazz singer and songwriter; the siblings bonded over music, frequently singing duets and participating in family performances that highlighted their harmonious voices. This close relationship, nurtured in a supportive household, sparked their lifelong musical partnership. Chicago's dynamic cultural milieu, with its legendary jazz venues and emerging theater scene, enveloped the family and amplified their exposure to live performances and artistic influences during Liz's formative years.[10][11][12]Schooling and early influences
Liz Callaway attended New Trier East High School in Winnetka, Illinois, graduating in 1978.[13] During her time at New Trier, Callaway participated actively in the school's theater program, gaining her initial stage experiences through productions such as the 1977 staging of Kismet, where she performed alongside peers. She also appeared in chorus roles in other school shows, and a teacher encouraged her to audition for leading parts after recognizing her potential during one such performance. At age 16, she secured her first professional singing role at Marriott's Great America theme park near Chicago.[13][14][15] Callaway received early vocal training at New Trier, influenced by her mother, Shirley Callaway, who served as a voice teacher at the school.[6] Following graduation, she briefly attended the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati for three months before dropping out. At age 18, Callaway moved to New York City with her sister Ann Hampton Callaway, where she began auditioning and performing initial club acts to build her professional foundation.[16][17]Career
Broadway and theater roles
Liz Callaway made her Broadway debut in the original 1981 production of Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along, where she performed as a Nightclub Waitress and understudied the role of Mary Flynn.[18][19] This short-lived show marked her entry into the New York theater scene at age 20, launching a career defined by versatile roles in musicals. In 1983, Callaway earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Lizzie Fields in the original Broadway production of Baby, a heartfelt ensemble piece about parenthood that ran for seven months at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre.[20][21] Her performance as one of three women navigating pregnancy highlighted her emotional depth and vocal range, contributing to the show's seven Tony nominations overall.[22] Callaway continued her Broadway trajectory with leading roles in the 1984 musical The Three Musketeers, where she played Lady Constance Bonacieux in a brief revival adaptation of Alexandre Dumas's classic. She then originated the role of Ellen, the American wife of a U.S. soldier, in the 1991 Broadway premiere of Miss Saigon at the Broadway Theatre, a role she reprised in performances that showcased her ability to convey complex emotional turmoil amid the Vietnam War backdrop.[23][24] From 1992 to 1997, Callaway took on the iconic role of Grizabella in the long-running Broadway production of Cats at the Winter Garden Theatre, performing the poignant "Memory" for five years as a replacement in the original production.[25] This extended engagement solidified her status as a Broadway staple, with multiple returns to the role, including a notable stint in 1995.[26] Beyond these principal Broadway credits, Callaway appeared in revue-style productions like the 2003 The Look of Love, a Burt Bacharach tribute where she performed as a featured vocalist. Her association with Sondheim persisted through the years, including her participation in the 1985 Follies in Concert at Lincoln Center, where she played Young Sally, and later tributes that drew on her early experiences with his work into the 2020s.[19] In regional and Off-Broadway theater, Callaway received a 2002 Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical for her role in the world premiere of The Spitfire Grill at Playwrights Horizons, a folk-inspired drama about redemption in a small town.[3][27] This performance underscored her commitment to new works outside the commercial Broadway circuit.Voice acting in animation
Liz Callaway has made significant contributions to animated feature films, primarily as a singing voice artist for prominent female characters in Disney and other productions. Her vocal work often involves providing the singing portions separately from the speaking roles, a common practice in animation to match distinct vocal qualities for dialogue and song. This technique allows for specialized performers like Callaway to enhance musical sequences while aligning with the character's spoken timbre.[3] One of her most notable roles was as the singing voice for Anya (later revealed as Anastasia) in the 1997 Fox animated film Anastasia, directed by Don Bluth and Gary Goldman. Callaway performed key songs including the Academy Award-nominated "Journey to the Past" and "Once Upon a December," infusing the character's emotional journey with a soaring, expressive soprano. The speaking voice was provided by Meg Ryan, highlighting the separation of vocal duties.[28][3] Callaway also served as the singing voice for Princess Odette in The Swan Princess (1994), a New Line Cinema production, and reprised the role in its direct-to-video sequels, including The Swan Princess: Escape from Castle Mountain (1997) and The Swan Princess: The Mystery of the Enchanted Treasure (1998). Her performances featured in songs like "This Is My Idea" and "Far Longer Than Forever," contributing to the film's romantic and adventurous tone. The speaking voice for Odette was voiced by Michelle Nicastro.[29][3] In Disney's direct-to-video sequels, Callaway provided the singing voice for Princess Jasmine in The Return of Jafar (1994) and Aladdin and the King of Thieves (1996), singing tracks such as "Forget About Love" and "Welcome to the Forty Thieves." These roles built on the original Aladdin (1992) character's musical legacy, with Linda Larkin handling the speaking parts. Additionally, she voiced the adult Kiara's singing in The Lion King II: Simba's Pride (1998), performing "Love Will Find a Way" alongside Gene Miller as Kovu, while Neve Campbell provided the speaking voice.[30][3][31] Callaway contributed additional voices and songs to other animated features, including background vocals in Disney's Beauty and the Beast (1991). Her versatile soprano has been praised for adding emotional depth to these ensemble pieces.[32][3] In 2024, Callaway voiced the Speaker of God in Season 2 of the animated series Hazbin Hotel, including performing the duet "Sera's Confession".[30]Cabaret and live performances
Liz Callaway has maintained a prolific solo cabaret career since the 1990s, regularly performing at intimate New York City venues such as Joe's Pub and 54 Below, where she delivers intimate sets blending Broadway standards, pop tunes, and personal anecdotes.[1][3] Early engagements included her 2001 show "Totally 60s!" at Joe's Pub, drawing from her album of the same name to showcase 1960s pop repertoire.[33] These performances evolved from her initial club acts in the 1980s at spots like The Duplex, establishing her as a versatile interpreter known for her crystalline soprano and emotional depth.[34] In recent years, Callaway has expanded her live concert appearances through the Broadway and Beyond cabaret series, offering retrospectives of her career with storytelling elements that highlight her Broadway roles and personal milestones. She performed this show at TheatreSquared in Fayetteville, Arkansas, from November 7 to 9, 2024, featuring songs from her albums and Sondheim selections accompanied by pianist Alex Rybeck.[35] In 2025, she brought Broadway and Beyond to Riverside Theatre Works in Hyde Park, Massachusetts, on September 20, as a one-night-only event celebrating her storied path in theater and music.[36] These concerts emphasize narrative arcs, connecting songs to life experiences rather than standalone numbers. Callaway has also participated in high-profile fundraising events, including the inaugural Broadway Dream Roles concert on April 28, 2025, at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre in New York, where she joined stars like Erich Bergen and Tom Francis to perform dream songs from Broadway shows, benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.[37] Her involvement in Sondheim tributes further underscores her cabaret evolution, with shows like To Steve With Love: Liz Callaway Celebrates Sondheim, a Grammy-nominated production that premiered shortly after the composer's 2021 death and toured through 2025.[3] This intimate program, performed at venues including Chicago's Studebaker Theater in June 2025, weaves personal reflections on her collaborations with Sondheim alongside his songs like "Goodbye for Now" and "I Remember."[38][39] Her live performance legacy includes Emmy-winning television specials that bridged cabaret to broadcast audiences. From 1987 to 1991, Callaway hosted Ready to Go, a daily live children's program on WNEV-TV (later WHDH-TV) in Boston, earning an Emmy for her engaging on-air presence and musical segments.[1] By the mid-1990s, her cabaret style had matured to incorporate more autobiographical storytelling, as seen in ongoing shows at 54 Below, such as the May 2025 presentation The Wizard and I: Liz Callaway Sings Stephen Schwartz, which highlighted her friendships with composers through medleys and anecdotes. These evolutions tie into her recordings, occasionally featuring live cuts that capture the spontaneity of her stage work.[3]Recording career
Liz Callaway launched her solo recording career in 1993 with Anywhere I Wander: Liz Callaway Sings Frank Loesser, released by Varèse Sarabande Records. The album, her debut as a solo artist, focused exclusively on the works of composer Frank Loesser, drawing from Broadway musicals such as Guys and Dolls, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and The Most Happy Fella. Produced by Bruce Yeko, it showcased Callaway's interpretive skills through standards like "I Believe in You" and "My Heart Is So Full of You," blending jazz-inflected arrangements with theatrical flair.[40][41] Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Callaway continued releasing solo projects that highlighted her Broadway roots and eclectic tastes. Her 1995 album The Story Goes On: Liz Callaway On and Off-Broadway, issued by DRG Records, compiled songs from her stage career alongside lesser-known theater pieces, emphasizing narrative-driven performances. In 2001, she explored pop standards from the 1960s with The Beat Goes On on V2 Records, featuring covers of hits like "My Cherie Amour" and "What the World Needs Now Is Love." Her holiday recordings include Merry and Bright (2013, Yellow Sound Label), a festive collection with duets alongside her sister Ann Hampton Callaway, and Comfort and Joy: An Acoustic Christmas (2020, Working Girl Records), an intimate pandemic-era project with guitarist Peter Calo that reimagined carols like "Hard Candy Christmas" in stripped-down acoustic settings.[42][43][44] Callaway's contributions extended to film soundtracks, particularly in animation, where she provided the singing voice for Anya in the 1997 Fox animated feature Anastasia. Her performances of "Journey to the Past" (nominated for an Academy Award) and "Once Upon a December," composed by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, appeared on the official soundtrack album released by Atlantic Records, capturing the character's emotional arc through soaring ballads. In 2022, she paid tribute to Stephen Sondheim with To Steve with Love: Liz Callaway Celebrates Sondheim, a live recording from Feinstein's/54 Below on CD Baby, featuring guest artists including Audra McDonald and Bernadette Peters on selections like "Losing My Mind" and "Send in the Clowns." The album earned a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album in 2023.[45][46][47] In the 2010s and 2020s, Callaway embraced independent production and digital distribution, self-releasing albums through her own Working Girl Records imprint and platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. This period saw ventures like the compilation Passage of Time (2009, PS Classics), blending theater and pop, alongside digital singles such as "Journey to the Past" (duet with Christy Altomare, 2018) and holiday tracks like "There's Still My Joy" (2024). These efforts allowed greater creative control, often tying into her cabaret shows to promote new material.[3][48][49]Personal life
Marriage and immediate family
Liz Callaway met her future husband, Dan Foster, an actor and director, during the first preview of the Broadway musical Baby in the early 1980s, where Foster had previously auditioned and subsequently attended the show 14 times while pursuing her romantically.[17][8] The couple married on October 19, 1985, when Callaway was 24 and Foster was 28, establishing a lasting partnership often described as a success story for theater couples.[17][8] Their son, Nicholas Callaway Foster, was born on February 17, 1991, amid Callaway's rehearsals for Miss Saigon, during which she was eight months pregnant at the start of the production.[17] The family relocated to a 19th-century Colonial home in Croton-on-Hudson, New York, in 1995, where they have resided since, allowing Callaway to maintain a grounded domestic routine including cooking nightly dinners and participating in local tennis leagues despite her professional demands.[8] Callaway has balanced her extensive touring schedule—often away for about a quarter of the year performing at venues like symphony halls and cabarets—with family life by integrating her son into her work environment from infancy, such as nursing him backstage before shows, and incorporating family travels into her career-inspired decor and experiences.[8] Her marriage to Foster has provided professional support, as he frequently directs her cabaret performances and co-writes show scripts with her, including the 2022 Sondheim tribute album To Steve With Love: Liz Callaway Celebrates Sondheim.[17][50] As of 2025, the family remains based in Croton-on-Hudson, with Nicholas pursuing his own career as a singer and performer in Chicago.[8][51]Collaborations with sister
Liz Callaway and her sister Ann Hampton Callaway share a deep professional partnership rooted in their family's musical heritage, particularly influenced by their mother, Shirley Callaway, a renowned singer, pianist, and vocal coach who instilled a love for Broadway and jazz standards in her daughters from a young age.[6][52] This bond has fueled numerous joint ventures, blending their voices in harmonious duets that highlight their complementary styles—Liz's Broadway-trained clarity and Ann's jazz-inflected improvisation.[11] Their early collaborations in the 1990s included the live album Sibling Revelry, recorded at New York's Rainbow & Stars in 1995, which captured their cabaret show featuring duets of standards and show tunes, earning praise for its sibling chemistry and vocal interplay.[53][54] A highlight was their co-recording of "The Nanny Named Fran," the theme song for the CBS sitcom The Nanny (1993–1999), written by Ann and performed together on the 1996 track, which became an iconic earworm for millions and contributed to the show's cultural impact.[55][56] The sisters' shared performances extended to tributes and cabaret revues, most notably Boom!, a concert celebrating 1960s and 1970s hits from artists like Joni Mitchell and Stevie Wonder, which premiered in 2010 at New York City's Town Hall and was later preserved on a 2011 live album recorded at Birdland.[57][58] This production, filled with zany humor and heartfelt storytelling, showcased their mutual influences in jazz and Broadway, drawing sold-out crowds and critical acclaim for revitalizing baby boomer anthems.[11] Through 2025, their collaborations continued with events like the January Broadway the Calla-way! concert series, where they performed showstoppers from musicals such as West Side Story and Wicked, further demonstrating their enduring synergy and the family's legacy of musical excellence.[59][60]Awards and nominations
Theater honors
Liz Callaway received significant recognition for her Broadway performances, particularly through nominations from prestigious theater awards bodies. In 1984, she was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical for her portrayal of Lizzie Fields in the musical Baby, highlighting her ability to bring emotional depth to the role of a young woman navigating unexpected pregnancy.[21] Her off-Broadway work also garnered acclaim, as evidenced by her 2002 Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical for playing Shelby Thorpe in The Spitfire Grill at Playwrights Horizons, where her performance contributed to the production's exploration of redemption and community in a small-town setting.[18] Callaway's contributions to cabaret, often drawing from her theater background, were honored with induction into the Bistro Awards Hall of Fame in 2010, recognizing her lifetime excellence in the art form and its ties to her stage origins in musical theater.[1]Music and broadcasting awards
Liz Callaway received an Emmy Award for her work as host of the daily live children's show Ready to Go on CBS affiliate WNEV-TV (now WHDH) in Boston, which aired from 1987 to 1991.[3] In 2024, she earned a Grammy nomination in the Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album category at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards for her album To Steve With Love: Liz Callaway Celebrates Sondheim, a tribute to the composer's work that highlighted her vocal interpretations of his songs.[61] Callaway has received multiple MAC Awards from the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs for excellence in cabaret performance. In 2023, she and her sister Ann Hampton Callaway won the Major Duo/Group award.[62] They repeated the win in 2024 for their holiday show Yuletide Revelry.[63] In 2025, the sisters again took home the Major Duo/Group MAC Award for NY State of Mind at 54 Below.[64] Additionally, Callaway was nominated for the Celebrity Artist MAC Award in 2023 for her solo cabaret show To Steve With Love: Liz Callaway Celebrates Sondheim.[65]Filmography
Animated features
Liz Callaway began her contributions to animated feature films in the early 1990s, primarily providing singing voices for lead female characters in musical sequences. Her work often involved dubbing songs for characters whose speaking voices were performed by other actresses, showcasing her Broadway-honed vocal range in fantasy and adventure stories.[3] In 1991, Callaway provided additional vocal work for Beauty and the Beast, though specific character details remain limited in credits.[30] Her breakthrough in animation came with The Swan Princess (1994), where she supplied the singing voice for Princess Odette, including the ensemble number "This Is My Idea" and solo pieces that highlighted the film's romantic themes. This role marked her as a key contributor to non-Disney animated musicals during the era.[3] Also in 1994, Callaway voiced the singing for Princess Jasmine in the direct-to-video feature Aladdin: The Return of Jafar, performing songs like "Forget About Love" to extend the character's musical presence from the original film.[3] She reprised the singing role for Jasmine in Aladdin and the King of Thieves (1996), contributing to tracks such as "Welcome to the Forty Thieves," further solidifying her association with Disney's Aladdin franchise.[3] Callaway's most acclaimed animated role was in Anastasia (1997), where she provided the singing voice for the title character Anya/Anastasia, notably performing the Oscar-nominated song "Journey to the Past." Her performance helped elevate the film's soundtrack, blending Broadway-style belting with emotional depth.[66][3] In 1997, she contributed to the direct-to-video sequel The Swan Princess II: Escape from Castle Mountain, performing in the comedic ensemble song "No Fear" with supporting characters.[3] In The Lion King II: Simba's Pride (1998), she sang as the adult Kiara in the duet "Love Will Find a Way" with adult Kovu, adding a tender, harmonious layer to the sequel's romantic subplot. This contribution underscored her impact on Disney's Renaissance-era follow-ups. In 1998, Callaway provided additional voices for The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars.[67][3][1] Overall, Callaway's vocal work in these 1990s films, including Disney sequels like The Lion King II and non-Disney productions like Anastasia and The Swan Princess, cemented her legacy in the animated musical genre, bridging theater traditions with cinematic storytelling.[3]Television appearances
Liz Callaway earned an Emmy Award for her work as host of the children's television program Ready to Go, a daily live show that aired on WNEV-TV (now WHDH) in Boston from 1987 to 1991.[68][1] She has appeared in several PBS specials, including performances in Christmas with the Boston Pops and In Performance at the White House.[3][69] Callaway also featured in the PBS broadcast Inside the Actors Studio: Stephen Sondheim, discussing her Broadway collaborations with the composer.[3] Callaway made her most recent television appearance in 2025, voicing the character of The Speaker of God in the second season of the Amazon Prime Video series Hazbin Hotel, where she performed the duet song "Sera's Confession" with Patina Miller in episode 2 ("Storyteller").[30][3]Discography
Solo albums
Liz Callaway's solo albums span Broadway tributes, pop reinterpretations, and seasonal collections, often drawing from her extensive theater and voice-acting background to showcase her soprano range and interpretive depth. Her debut solo effort, Anywhere I Wander: Liz Callaway Sings Frank Loesser, arrived on September 28, 1993, via Varèse Sarabande Records, compiling 14 tracks exclusively from the composer's catalog, including staples from Guys and Dolls like "I'll Know" and "If I Were a Bell," emphasizing Loesser's witty lyricism and melodic sophistication.[40][70] The album highlights her affinity for character-driven songs, produced by Bruce Yeko with orchestral arrangements that evoke mid-20th-century Broadway glamour.[71] The Story Goes On: On & Off Broadway, released August 29, 1995, also on Varèse Sarabande, features 14 selections blending covers of Broadway hits with originals from Callaway's stage roles, such as "The Story Goes On" from Baby and "Not a Day Goes By" from Merrily We Roll Along.[72][73] Produced by Yeko, it reflects her career trajectory with intimate piano-and-voice arrangements alongside fuller ensembles, capturing themes of love, ambition, and reflection central to her theatrical work.[74] After a six-year gap, The Beat Goes On emerged on May 15, 2001, from Varèse Sarabande, reimagining 16 songs from the 1960s era, including medleys like "The Beat Goes On/Feelin' Groovy" and tracks such as "You Don't Own Me" and "Both Sides Now," infused with contemporary vocal nuances.[75][43] The album, again helmed by Yeko, bridges Callaway's Broadway roots with pop history, using lush strings and horns to underscore themes of youth, rebellion, and nostalgia.[76] Passage of Time, issued October 20, 2009, by PS Classics, marks her return after another extended break, offering 13 tracks that mix timeless Broadway standards like "Make Someone Happy" with modern pieces such as "I'm Not That Girl" from Wicked and a cover of "Eleanor Rigby."[77][78] Produced by Tommy Goodman, it explores personal evolution through eclectic selections, blending orchestral swells with reflective storytelling to evoke life's passages.[79] Venturing into holiday music, Merry and Bright, a five-track EP released November 26, 2013, on CD Baby, delivers festive fare including "Joy to the World" and a duet of "Silent Night/Mary, Did You Know?" with sister Ann Hampton Callaway, arranged in warm, jazz-inflected styles.[80][81] The concise set prioritizes joyful intimacy over elaboration, produced by Callaway herself with guitar and light percussion.[82] Comfort and Joy: An Acoustic Christmas, self-released on Working Girl Records on December 4, 2020, expands the seasonal theme with 10 stripped-down renditions of carols and classics like "Walking in the Air" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," recorded remotely amid the COVID-19 pandemic.[83][84] Collaborating with guitarist Peter Calo, the album emphasizes solace and simplicity, using minimal acoustic instrumentation to convey holiday comfort.[85] Callaway's latest solo studio album, To Steve with Love: Liz Callaway Celebrates Sondheim, came out November 11, 2022, on Working Girl Records as a live recording from her 54 Below residency, presenting 14 Sondheim compositions including "Losing My Mind" and "Send in the Clowns" with guest contributions from her son Nick.[86] Produced by Callaway and Calo, it honors the composer's influence on her career through emotive, cabaret-style deliveries, earning a 2024 Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.[50][87]| Album Title | Release Date | Label | Key Themes/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anywhere I Wander: Liz Callaway Sings Frank Loesser | September 28, 1993 | Varèse Sarabande | Frank Loesser Broadway songs; orchestral Broadway homage. |
| The Story Goes On: On & Off Broadway | August 29, 1995 | Varèse Sarabande | Career-spanning Broadway originals and covers; reflective theater narratives. |
| The Beat Goes On | May 15, 2001 | Varèse Sarabande | 1960s pop/rock reinterpretations; nostalgic medleys. |
| Passage of Time | October 20, 2009 | PS Classics | Standards, pop, and contemporary mixes; personal life reflections. |
| Merry and Bright (EP) | November 26, 2013 | CD Baby | Holiday favorites; family duet, jazz elements. |
| Comfort and Joy: An Acoustic Christmas | December 4, 2020 | Working Girl Records | Acoustic holiday tunes; pandemic-era intimacy. |
| To Steve with Love: Liz Callaway Celebrates Sondheim | November 11, 2022 | Working Girl Records | Live Sondheim tribute; Grammy-nominated, cabaret format. |