For those who don’t know Terry Fator, Terry is a ventriloquist, impressionist, comedian, and singer from Dallas, Texas. Terry does ventriloquial impersonations, and uses 15 different puppets in his act. He was the winner of season two of America’s Got Talent, and received the million dollar prize. The following year, he was signed on as the headliner at The Mirage hotel and casino in Las Vegas, Nevada with a five-year, $100 million contract.
So yeah Pretty big in Las Vegas! And Terry just added 2 new characters to his show! And one of them is Michael Jackson!
One of the reasons Fator’s show is so beloved: He’s always making changes, adding new elements and keeping it fresh. He’ll typically incorporate a new character into his act every year, but last month he unveiled two new puppets that actually perform together— Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney. The King of Pop appears first to sing a medley of his biggest hits before the legendary Beatle joins him onstage for a duet of “The Girl is Mine” from Michael’s classic 1982 album Thriller. Terry’s ability to bounce between voices during this ambidextrous puppeteering performance is impressive to say the least.
“I’ve been wanting to add more real-life celebrities to the show as my audiences are coming from all over the world,” Fator said after a special anniversary show that attracted loads of his fellow Vegas entertainers to The Mirage. “Music truly is that universal language.”
Of course, other recent additions to the show—dubbed Terry Fator: The Voice of Entertainment presents Terry Fator Tonight because it’s built on Fator’s childhood habit of staging his own talk show with stuffed animals as guests—are still among the musical and comedy highlights. Sir Elton John performs a joyful assortment of classic tunes, while President Donald Trump, out from under a flailing mess of shocking blonde hair, inserts himself into some well-known songs, naturally.
Terry’s talents allow him to create a show that really feels like a collection of different characters and performances—you’ll forget that he’s just one man singing and entertaining. His original characters show off his more creative side, from the favorite Winston the Impersonating Turtle (a cute and cuddly creature with an incredible vocal range, with a little help from his friend Fator) to Walter T. Airdale, a country music legend who sings a little George Strait and talks a lot about his ex-wives. Julius gives Fator a little lesson in soul, and 12-year-old Emma Taylor teases Fator with text messages before he sings her a song by Ed Sheeran and wins her favor.
No matter which puppet is singing alongside him, Terry Fator keeps the music and fun coming fast and furious. He may have become a household name when he won America’s Got Talent, but he’s grown into a Strip standard-bearer, truly a distinct voice in Las Vegas entertainment.
The Mirage, 7:30 p.m. Mon.-Thurs., $59.99-$149.99 MVP Experience, plus tax and fee, 5+. 702.792.7777
And why not to also see Cirque du Soleil’s MJ ONE while you are out there!
