Terry Fator is playing at the Las Vegas Hilton on selected dates through at least the end of the year. He is a ventriloquist, singer, comedian and celebrity impressionist that gained his notoriety by being selected at the winner of the 2007 edition of "America's Got Talent." He is an exceedingly talented performer that does the bulk of his impressions through his ventriloquism puppets. Backed by a group of terrific musicians, Terry Fator entertains audiences of all ages with his wholesome blend of family entertainment and dazzles them with his amazing talent.
Terry Fator is perhaps the first entertainer to combine the art of ventriloquism with celebrity impressions. His puppets, including Cowboy Walter, Emma Taylor and Winston the Impersonating Turtle, effortlessly perform the singing styles of an eclectic group of stars including: Tony Bennett, Elvis, 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 and Kermit The Frog.
Fator was 6 years old when he discovered he had a knack for mimicking voices. He began by memorizing Bill Cosby comedy routines. "Friends would come over to the house and they would say ‘Do Cosby,'" he recalls. "It was something I was always able to do, and it would drive my parents, brother and sister crazy." When he was 10, he found a library book on ventriloquism and began learning how to throw his voice. He pursued a more conventional performing career in entertainment for 15 years, but in 2001 decided to follow his first ambition: mimicry and ventriloquism. His career turned a corner in 2004, when his manager heard his Garth Brooks impression and asked if he could do the country star's voice through his puppet.
Fator battles the problem of being a small show that is working a big room. There are times when he doesn't seem to fill the space...that being said, he has been drawing great crowds to his performances. His show would work better with more dates and a smaller room.
The other problem he has in his show is pacing---he needs an assistant to help him transition from one puppet to the next. Right now, there is a problem building up any momentum because after each segment, he has to stop...remove and put away one puppet, and then get out and put on the next puppet. It makes for a choppy pace, and a "sameness" begins to pervade the crowd as each section is structured in a similar manner.
None of these minor problems should take away from the fact that this is a very talented person. At his best, Fator completely thrills and awes the audience and takes them on a wonderful journey through his music and humor.
It will not surprise me in the least if, after his contract is complete at the end of the year, he is once again extended or placed in a permanent home. The adjustments to playing the big room will probably come with time and experience. He puts on a good show, but he could put on a great show with a little more direction.
Terry Fator is playing at the Las Vegas Hilton on selected dates through at least the end of the year. He is a ventriloquist, singer, comedian and celebrity impressionist that gained his notoriety by being selected at the winner of the 2007 edition of "America's Got Talent." He is an exceedingly talented performer that does the bulk of his impressions through his ventriloquism puppets. Backed by a group of terrific musicians, Terry Fator entertains audiences of all ages with his wholesome blend of family entertainment and dazzles them with his amazing talent.