Paul Zerdin talks of the “vent community” and “vent culture,” and reveals that ventriloquism is at once universal but to be enjoyed uniquely. “Everyone loves ventriloquism, and everyone loves puppets,” says the Strip’s newest ventriloquial artist, explaining the popularity of puppetry, then later notes, “In the vent community, you don’t have much to do with other vents. If you’re in a comedy club, you don’t have two vents together in the same lineup. You might have other specialty acts, like a magician or a juggler, but never two vents.”
This information is all pertinent as Zerdin’s Mouthing Off production moves into Planet Hollywood Showroom. This is a “cheeky” British showcase, in which the ventriloquist enlivens such puppets as a little smart-ass named Sam; the character simply known as Baby; and a requisite figure for professional ventriloquists, an old-man figure named Albert.
Zerdin is well-known in his native England for his many appearances at the Royal Variety Performance, where the Queen Mum appreciated his contemporary “new twist” on a classic form of entertainment. He became famous in the U.S. for his winning run on America’s Got Talent, ascending to the title by topping, among others, Piff the Magic Dragon (a headliner himself at Bugsy’s Cabaret at Flamingo Las Vegas) and the stuttering comic Drew Lynch.
“I thought Drew would win,” Zerdin says during a media lunch at P.F. Chang’s at Planet Hollywood. Zerdin would seem a more natural fit for the U.K. version of the Got Talent franchise, Britain’s Got Talent, but the first prize of that show is … an appearance on Royal Variety Performance. “I thought, What’s the point?” Zerdin said. “I was already well-known ’round England, and not at all in the States, so I thought I could at least reach a new audience over here.”
With his championship on AGT, Zerdin claimed a $1 million prize. He moves into the PH Showroom on April 30, toggling times with Frankie Moreno’s Under the Influence show.
The theater that opened with Stomp and was home to Peepshow has been cut to about 760 seats, curtained off at the balcony and lower half of the room to create a smaller, proper theater. But there’s true big-scale production planned for Zerdin’s show. As he says, “If I want to have a puppet flying around the room, I am not looked at as if it is impossible.”
The most pressing issue for Zerdin is not whether he can deliver an effective, if somewhat adult-themed (suggested for ages 14-and-over) performance. He was a fan favorite in the three performances of America’s Got Talent finalists—co-headlining with Piff and Lynch—in the PH room in October. Rather, it’s how many ventriloquists can the Strip absorb?
Across the Strip, of course, is Terry Fator, the 2007 AGT champion and lord of the Terry Fator Theater at the Mirage. (Another AGT titlist, magician Mat Franco, headlines at the Linq.) And the comparison and possible competition between Zerdin and Fator bears examination as Zerdin sets up a show in the same genre and in similar scope to Fator’s.
“I absolutely feel there is room for everyone,” Zerdin says. “I know Terry, we’re friends—I was just in email with him this morning—and we agree that we can both succeed here.” As a point of reference, veteran vent star Jeff Dunham did solid business last year in the Planet Hollywood.
As a way of proving he can break from what is commonly accepted, Zerdin actually worked with Fator during the Results Night of AGT. Fator turned up with Elvis impersonator Maynard Tompkins as Zerdin worked with Sam.
Zerdin’s director, Jim Millan, adds, “We have seen Cirque succeed with multiple shows, and I think that when people come to Las Vegas, if they have seen Terry perform they will come to the city with an open mind. Somebody who really enjoyed Terry a few years ago will want to see this show.” Puppet Up—Uncensored!, which is helmed by Jim Henson’s son Brian and opens in late June at the Venetian, is another production that can spark interest in the general art of puppetry.
“This could be a case of a high tide raising all the boats,” Millan says. “You can have more than one type of ventriloquism show.”
Zerdin can set himself apart with some guerilla marketing, moving outside the theater for video clips of him throwing his voice while walking next to startled tourists. And he’s certainly aware of the expectations of an AGT champ operating on the Strip. Showroom success is not a guarantee, regardless of TV pedigree. (Example: 2010 AGT champ Michael Grimm has settled back to the same types of venues he booked before he appeared on the show.)
“When you win, you have to work harder,” Zerdin says. “The pressure is on, and that’s great. You have to raise your game.”
Paul Zerdin: Mouthing Off Tuesday-Sunday, 7 p.m., $51-$106. Planet Hollywood, 800-745-3000.
