Kerr settles nicely into a new home at New Frontier

Joe Delaney

Friday, Feb. 23, 2001 | 9:48 a.m.

"The New Kenny Kerr Show," at the New Frontier, is female impersonator Kerr at his best, backed by three excellent performers -- singer Maggie Albisani and singer-dancers Raphael DeLarosa and Jay Joseph -- plus a small-but-mighty musical group under the direction of Rick Warren, on keyboards; plus Ricardo Chavez, lead guitar and vocals; Freddie Omar, bass guitar; Christine Jacobs, on drums; and Ron Stevenson, percussion.

Albisani and Joseph opened a recent show (DeLarosa was ill) with "I'm Not the Boy Next Door," joined midway by Kerr in costume, the first of many changes during the course of the 90-minute show. Working alone, Kerr sang "Old Friends," "I'm Living Alone and I Like It," chatted a bit, then sang a special lyric to "I'm Still Here," pointing out that May will mark his 24th year as a Las Vegas headliner.

Joseph was given a chance to shine on Ricky Martin's "Livin' La Vida Loca." Kerr returned in a new gown, singing "The Boy from Ipanima" to a man in the audience. Albisani took center stage for a medley best described as Connie Francis sings Neil Sedaka, beginning with "Stupid Cupid" and ending with "Where the Boys Are."

Another costume change had Kerr as Cher singing "Do You Believe in Love." Albisani and Joseph scored nicely with "How Do You Keep the Music Playing," after which Kerr, in still another outfit, sat and chatted with the audience, always a high spot in the show. In costume or not, Kerr has a brilliant comedic mind and impeccable comedy timing, a natural.

He is a master at "Where are you from?" and impromptu repartee with the audience. Still sitting and accompanied just by Warren on keyboards, he sang "Guess Who I Saw Today, My Dear," a definitive rendition. He was joined by Albisani on "A House is Not a Home"; Joseph made it a trio on "I Get By with a Little Help from My Friends." Kerr went off for the last costume change, closing with "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet."

Kerr's classic Streisand should be in place by the time you read this, and DeLarosa should have returned. To the credit of Kerr and his crew, they have made the converted bingo parlor a showroom. As always, Kerr is a class act. He has surrounded himself with strong support, and with a little help from the New Frontier and ticket brokers, "The New Kenny Kerr Show" will have found a permanent home.