Terry Fator is the funny man who, without a doubt, melts our hearts and leaves a smile on our faces long after walking out of his new show… He took America by storm with his rousing victory on, “America’s Got Talent”. After winning one million dollars (on season 2), Fator was recruited as the headliner by the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas. A very smart move on the part of the Mirage, may I add. Now, Terry Fator is live on stage with his hilarious show at The Mirage in “Terry Fator & His Cast of Thousands”. He is abundantly talented and throughout his performance you can feel the warmth and gratitude for his success coming from his heart. His show has some brand new impressions, new celebrity voices, new puppets, and is more fun then ever. Terry and his Cast, bursts the stage with celebrity singing impressions and unequaled stellar ventriloquism, backed by his brilliant live band. Sharing the stage with Fator are his puppet co-stars including: Winston, the Impersonating Turtle, the loveable Emma Taylor, and new addition Vikki “The Cougar”, all making for quite a unique theatre experience with comical teasing and hilarious takes on music Super Stars. He effortlessly performs (and nails it) the singing styles of an eclectic group of stars including: Cher, Justin Timberlake, Elvis Presley, Garth Brooks, The Pussycat Dolls, Tony Bennett, Maroon Five, Garth Brooks, Nat King and Natalie Cole, Roy Orbison, Marvin Gaye, Gnarls Barkley, James Blunt, Brooks & Dunn, members of The Rat Pack, Louis Armstrong, Kermit the Frog, and more. One of the funniest bits in his show is when Terry brings a male audience member on the stage to do Cher with him while he does Sonny. It is hysterical.
It took ventriloquist, singer, comedian, and celebrity impressionist Terry Fator 32 years to become an overnight sensation when he was selected on “America’s Got Talent” in 2007. His brilliant decision to combine his incredible skills with his uncanny ability to imitate famous singers won over the judges and millions of fans who voted for him, and are attending his sold out concerts nationwide. I mean, it is one thing to do impressions. It is another thing to sing impressions. It is another to be a ventriloquist. It is yet another thing to be a comic. However, it is a completely different ballgame combining all of those talents into one person performing all at the same time and it is nothing short of magnificent and miraculous.
The multi-talented Fator believes that he is an illusionist with puppets. He states that, “I look at myself as a talk show host and the characters are my guests. I can guarantee anyone who comes to my show, within a second or two will feel that the puppet is the real entity. I love creating life out of wood and felt.” I see his point because as an audience member, I found that I had to pinch myself back to reality and realize that it is Terry and not the puppets speaking. All the back and forth dialogue, it is amazing how he keeps it straight. I myself have trouble just speaking for me.
Fator combines his wholesome family comedy with a touch of dirty jokes. A few of the puppets, including Winston the Impersonating Turtle and Vicki the Cougar, spice up the act with a tad of sexual innuendo. But parents really have nothing to worry about for there’s no swearing and most of the jokes would be lost on young kids. Another touching part of the show was about halfway through, when Fator does a marvelous tribute to those who serve or have served in the military by performing a beautiful rendition of “Home”, by Michael Buble.
Terry Fator was born June 10, 1965 in Mesquite, Texas. His mother is Marie Sligh, a real estate agent. Marie Sligh’s husband, David Sligh, is the uncle of Chris Sligh, an American Idol (season 6) finalist. The beginning of Fator’s ventriloquism career dates back to when he was in fifth grade. While searching for a book for an assignment on Valentine’s Day, he came across a book about ventriloquism. Later, he purchased a Willie Talk dummy from Sears. Throughout his childhood, Fator entertained family and friends with his ventriloquism and did impersonations of singers and actors. When he was in sixth grade, he appeared on a popular children’s show in Dallas called Peppermint Place. Peppermint Place starred “Mr. Peppermint” Jerry Haynes. Fator got his start touring as the lead singer of a band called “Freedom Jam” in 1987-88, produced by Young American Showcase. They performed at over 200 high schools and middle schools across the United States, averaging three performances per school day.
Show lovers, do take my word for it; you don’t want to miss this very talented and entertaining new star while in the city that really doesn’t sleep. Terry’s show is top notch, he is a polished entertainer, and the show has it all and is for all ages. Bravo Terry, you have another hit!
Show Schedule: Terry Fator will perform Tuesday – Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; dark Sunday and Monday. Guests must be 5 years of age or older to attend.
To reserve tickets: Terry Fator tickets can be purchased by calling The Mirage Box Office at (702) 792-7777 or (800… or online at www.themirage.com.
