The Kerr Campaign: Vegas Veteran Kenny Kerr makes flamboyant return but did he ever leave?

Thursday, July 15, 2004 | 8:13 a.m.

He's back. Or is it "she?" And did he/she ever actually leave? Female impersonator Kenny Kerr is lighting up the stage at Sunset Station with his sequined gowns and often ribald comedy that has fans in stitches.

"I never left," Kerr said.

True. The 51-year-old Kerr has a home in Vegas, where the comedian has lived for 27 years P since debuting in "Boy-lesque" at the long-gone Silver Slipper in 1977, his professional residence for 13 years.

Kerr, the first female impersonator to headline in Las Vegas, was at the Sahara and the Stardust for several years after leaving the Silver Slipper, but his last major performance locally was at the Plaza, where he spent two years. That production closed in September 2000 following a dispute with the leaseholder of the showroom.

Kerr said after the Plaza he was at the New Frontier "for about 20 minutes P a big, big mistake."

And he has done a few other local gigs, including one at the former Regent (now the JW Marriott) at Summerlin.

However, most of his performing has been out of state, or out of the country. "People don't see you performing in Vegas and they think the worst," Kerr said. "I'm not in the gutter. I'm not broke. I still have a car, furniture and jewelry. Rumors get started, but I have been very, very busy."

Kerr was at at the Fantasy Springs casino in Palm Springs, Calif., for several months.

Also, he has performed a one-man show in Europe, including England and Italy. Cruise ships. Alaska. Philadelphia. New York. A New Year's Eve party for Donald Trump.

"I've been traveling all over," said Kerr, a native of New Jersey who became a female impersonator when he was a teenager who bore, and still bears, an amazing resemblance to Barbra Streisand.

But after almost four years of being on the road, Kerr is ready to settle down. "I'm not the traveling type," Kerr said. "I love my home."

And so he is now focusing on a new production, "Patrick Jackson Presents Kenny Kerr & Friends."

Kerr is committed to a couple of road engagements, including one in Tacoma, Wash. But for the most part he's now firmly anchored in Las Vegas.

"I'm ready to come home," Kerr said. "I got worn out living out of a suitcase. It's not like I just have a suit to pack. When you do what I do you have to pack wigs and costumes. There are a lot more details."

He says last week's opening night felt wonderful.

"I received a standing ovation," Kerr said. "It was a welcome home for me." Kerr has a large local fan base, which he attributes to many factors.

"I bring my audiences into the show," Kerr said. "I make them feel like they are part of it. I play with people in the audience."

And he says he truly loves his fans.

"This is not about money or fame, it's about giving back to your fans," Kerr said. "The more successful you are, the more grateful you should be."

For 25 years he was billed as the longest-running headliner in Las Vegas history. Although he left under a cloud of bad business deals and increasingly humble venues, Kerr says he was glad to get out of town for a while.

"I needed a break," Kerr said.

But now he's eager for another shot at the Strip.

Kerr says his gig at Sunset Station is a showcase, one to convince hotels and casinos that he is still a major attraction.

"I'm coming back, definitely," Kerr said. "How many more Cirque du Soleils can you put on the Strip? Six is enough. I don't mean to sound negative about Cirque, their shows are wonderful. But we need something different -- a variety of everything."

And he is just the man -- er, woman -- to do it.

"(Producer) Patrick Jackson's goal is a big production wrapped around me," Kerr said.

The show at Sunset Station is small, geared to the small stage and small room (about 300 seats). When Kerr finds a larger home, he will have a larger show.

It is evolving, as Kerr and Jackson (who produced the "Tournament of Kings" at the Excalibur) try different acts, looking for the right mix.

Judging from one recent performance, they are still looking.

"I would say we are 90 percent complete," Kerr said.

Last weekend, when the show premiered, Kerr was joined by a three-piece band, a vocalist (Amanda) and female impersonator Chad Michaels, doing Cher, and several others in pantomime routines.

The cast will grow. And they won't all be female impersonators. Kerr says the production isn't one about female impersonation, but about entertainment of all kinds -- comedy, music, celebrity look-alikes and more.

"I'm just a man in a dress playing a part," he said. "People don't really look at me as a drag queen, but as a comedian and a singer.

"We're going to do something avant-garde and different," he said.

Sandy Ross and Ralph Perkins are choreographing and directing the production.

"Sandy is tough," Kerr said. "She gets things done, and that's what I need. Good, ambitious people behind me. I feel comfortable. I know this show will succeed."

He says Jackson, the show's producer, is proving aggressive in his approach.

"He's wonderful," Kerr said. "He knows the business and he's sparing no expense. He's even bringing in a designer to design gowns for my show."

Kerr said the secret to success is surrounding himself with successful people, which may have been the reason his Vegas career took a dive.

"Patrick will try anything once to see if it works," Kerr said."A lot of people have closed minds, but he will take chances. If it doesn't work, he will pull it out.

"He will listen to some of my suggestions and say, 'That's kind of sick -- let's do it.' "