Significant though it was, the buzz accompanying  (merely three- day) Chicago mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel dropping in at Susan Werner’s concert, did not eclipse the buzz that singer/songwriter Werner, along with opening act Scott Montgomery, created on the stage of the Old Town School’s excellent performance space. The best love songs encompass tension and wit. During what shimmery-voiced Werner dubbed the “cabaret portion” of the show, this was well delivered with both “Let’s Regret This in Advance” and the more wistful “I Can’t Be New.” Werner also performed selections from her more recent project Gospel Truth, which she claims is the first and only “agnostic gospel CD.” The audience happily sang along with the chorus of Werner’s “Our Father,” enjoying the witty barbs aimed at evangelists ranging from Chataqua tent  preachers and politicians and to the Pope himself. Werner closed with “Manhattan, Kansas,” a wistful reflection by an unmarried pregnant woman living in a small town. The song is tender and true in Werner’s voice and would be in anyone’s.

Opening act Scott Montgomery is a delicious performer with supple tenor chops and equally supple interpretive skills. He is an edgy performer and certainly pushed the envelope—given the mainly baby-boomer-filled venue—by admiring the mayor-elect’s behind, and with George Howe’s outrageously funny song, “You’re So Gay.” The line about having “no gag reflex” is a risky choice with certain audiences, but this one laughed.

Carla Gordon
Cabaret Scenes
February 25, 2011
www.cabaretscenes.org