From the moment that Scott Montgomery shuffles onstage in his silk dressing
gown and red-feathered mules, you know this isn't going to be just another
nice voice on Davenport's stage. When the back up singers and piano player
take their places in their pjs, we know this is going to be a remarkable
evening.
Scott delivers his sardonic comments on insomnia, shooting
with particular accuracy at late, late night TV, with comic timing that
might be rivaled at Zanies. Shining beyond Scott's physical grace is a voice
like a prism, clear and with a hundred shades. But above all that our true
reward is the emotional journey on which Scott brings along.
Who knew
the real depth of the song, "The Air That I Breathe," until Scott gave it
the color that makes us remember the sweet pain of intense romantic love?
When The Hollies sang that song it was merely pretty.
With that crisp
diction so needed in cabaret, Scott takes a wonderful tune in "Leave" as he
ruminates through Sunday morning moments before Saturday night's date wakes
up in our bed.
Janis Ian
who is best known for the bitter song “At Seventeen” wrote Scott’s encore
tune, the beautiful “Jesse”. "Jesse," however is about longing for someone
loved to come home. Scott takes us through those longings detail by detail.
Musical director Dan Stetzel, a favorite in Chicago's cabaret scene is
particularly on point in this show.
Sleep Deprived is worth the
thirteen-dollar cover charge by multiples. Go see it and you'll sleep like a
baby.