Terry Fator Discusses His Latest Show And What Makes Las Vegas So Special

Terry Fator has enjoyed a great deal of success since he won the second season of “America’s Got Talent” in 2007. Not long after his big win, Simon Cowell told Oprah Winfrey that Fator was one of the “two most talented people on the planet,” reported The Los Angeles Times. Now he is starring in “Terry Fator: One Man, a Hundred Voices, a Thousand Laughs!” at the STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower in Las Vegas.

“Terry is undoubtedly one of the most talented performers to headline in Las Vegas and we are thrilled to be partnering with him and his hundreds of voices at The STRAT,” Adam Steck, founder & CEO of SPI Entertainment, shared with me. “This all-new show not only showcases the talent, music and humor that has become synonymous with Fator but also features state-of-the-art production and multi-media elements created specifically for this new show.”

I reached out to Terry Fator to find out more about his popular Las Vegas show and his accomplished career as a singer, ventriloquist and comedian.

Here’s what he had to say:

Can you tell us about your latest Las Vegas show?

I’ve been a headliner in Las Vegas for over 15 years and by far this is the show I am most excited about. It’s at the Strat, and it’s called “Terry Fator: One Man, a Hundred Voices, a Thousand Laughs!”…and that pretty much describes it. It’s a combination of comedy, music, impersonations, and just a great time for fans of every age.

What inspired it?

To me it was the chance to create a new show in a new venue with great production value, yet in an intimate room.

How has the process of creating your show surprised you?

To be honest, just the fact that I’m always coming up with new ideas surprises me. So many entertainers want to stick with the same show and same formula, but I’m fascinated by always experimenting with something audiences have never seen before.

How do you think the show will surprise audiences?

The fact that, despite popular demand, not once do I remove my clothes; okay, maybe not that. The incredible visuals on the screens and the fact I can do all those voices without moving my lips.

You wear many artistic hats, including being a ventriloquist, impressionist, stand-up comedian, and singer. Are there any additional hats you’d like to add as an artist?

When I was 8, I was fascinated by magic. One day I’d like to do some magic onstage. In fact, I do a bit of illusion onstage when one of my puppets levitates during the song “Defying Gravity”.

When did you first know you were funny?

Really, just with friends saying things. They commented on things the way teenagers do. Then I found out I could do funny songs—think of a Texas Weird Al—and then learned how to do it all with puppets.

What about being a ventriloquist? How did that start?

I went to the library and discovered a book on ventriloquism by Paul Winchell and decided that’s what I wanted to be. After that, I was dedicated; after all, a teenage boy who is a ventriloquist, is not exactly a chick magnet.

Who were your favorite artists and what were your favorite shows growing up?

I absolutely adored any slapstick comedian from Harpo Marx to Dick van Dyke. I spent countless hours watching and studying Jerry Lewis and Carol Burnett. Once I became a ventriloquist, of course I became obsessed with The Muppets. Their influence on me as a puppeteer cannot be measured. The shows I watched were always comedies like “The Muppet Show” and “The Carol Burnett Show”. Tim Conway was a mentor to me even though he never knew it. Any show that was about making people laugh was what I immersed myself in.

Who were your heroes or mentors who inspired you?

Paul Winchell, Edgar Bergen, and my friends Darrel and Sissy Johnson who in many ways helped raise me.

What made you decide to audition for America’s Got Talent?

Desperation. I was struggling, working at state fairs and school shows and thought, “Well, if I get on and people see me, even if I get eliminated right away, it could raise my price from $25 a show to $50!” Obviously, things went much better than I’d hoped.

What lessons do you feel you learned from the show?

That even in these challenging times, we can all find unity when we laugh together, and that even if it seems your dreams are finished, never stop working toward making them come true. There is a real comfort in knowing you are always working toward something you desire.

Do you think it changed your art in any way, and does it impact it now?

The main way it changed my art is that I could afford to have my imagined characters brought to actual creation. For decades I would have these ideas but had no money to make them become reality. America’s Got Talent and my Las Vegas residencies made that happen.

What was it like to start performing in Las Vegas? Was that something you had dreamed of doing?

For a guy who had been working small fairs, it was suddenly like a high school football player being told he’s playing in the Super Bowl.

What are your impressions of Las Vegas? What do you think of the city as a whole?

What I love about Las Vegas is it has something for everybody, for people of every age. If you want to party, you can party. If you want to see a great show, we’ve got shows. If you like great dining, it’s here. Something for absolutely everyone. And we have an amazing sense of community. I have seen countless times the community has come together for love and support in all kinds of situations. It’s an amazing city.

What are your favorite things to do in Las Vegas when you’re not performing?

Spending time at home with my wife, going to dinner with her, and watching some great movies at home. Oh, and watching Hallmark movies with my Angie cuddling next to me.

Why do you think your art is a great fit for Las Vegas?

Because it purports to be nothing but pure entertainment. There is no message, no lecturing, no agenda other than giving you a good time, and that’s why people come here.

What is the kindest thing a fan has done for you?

I have a strong heart for military and first responders, so I have done a lot of work to make sure they feel appreciated. Once I was eating dinner with my sister and the server told me that someone had paid for our meals, tip included, to thank me for it. It actually brought tears to my eyes. They did it anonymously, so I never found out who it was, but it was so sweet. Of course, I still tipped the server, but it was so sweet.

You can now see “Terry Fator: One Man, a Hundred Voices, a Thousand Laughs!” at The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower in Las Vegas, Nevada.