Kerr and Co. a good fit downtown

Joe Delaney

Friday, Sept. 4, 1998 | 11:15 a.m.

The Kenny Kerr Show, currently in Jackie Gaughan's Plaza Theatre, is the newest Fremont Street experience. It was the first and remains the best of its genre, men in outstanding costumes depicting famous female stars. Kerr, a master comedy monologist, is also the definitive Barbra Streisand duplicator. He uses Streisand's voice in a well-constructed medley. Kerr works in costumes throughout, using his own voice in a variety of other song selections.

"Once In A Lifetime" is Kerr's opener. He welcomes the audience and introduces Rolando Obando as Gloria Estefan. Kerr makes a costume change, and sings "It Had To Be You." James Causey is next as Marilyn Monroe and James Williams makes an effective entrance from the audience as Diana Ross. It's time for big fun as longtime Kerr regular, Howard Benway, portrays a king-sized (queen-sized?) Madonna.

Kerr returns in his third costume, sings "Come Back To Me" then settles in for his monolog and chat with the audience, very funny, closing with a serious, jazz-tinged version of Billie Holiday's "God Bless The Child." Sammy Gonzalas is a hot Liza Minnelli, doing "New York, New York," and Larry Edwards is an even hotter Tina Turner with "Proud Mary." Kerr is a dead-on Streisand; then Howard Benway, also known as Little Lil, does the "Hiccup Song," introducing George, an important part of Benway's anatomy. Kenny follows an elaborate finale, singing "Good Times," then heads for the showroom entrance to say individual "Good-byes" and thank the departing audience. The Jackie Gaughan's Plaza Theatre was once one of our town's better small showrooms. It could be again if Gaughan and Co. fully supports Kerr and Co., a Las Vegas showroom fixture these past 21 years, they deserve it.

Our review would be incomplete if we neglected mentioning Kerr's two male dancers, Boris Ianaviev and John Almanza.