BY LAURA MICHAELS

Every celebrity craves the limelight, and many times, is willing to get the applause at any cost. What many of us in the audience are unaware of are the dozens of behind-the-scenes technicians, artists, even performers, that create the illusion of what appears to be so grand onstage: the “star” performer. In order to create the opulence of a magnificent scene in any stage show, be it Cirque, Jersey Boys, or even Cher, it takes costume designers to make them skinny or fat, even turn a performer from a man into a woman. It takes artists to create the gorgeous “eye-candy” backdrops and stages that elevate or rotate to bring the “star” into the sky. It requires creative electricians, lighting technicians, and don’t forget audio engineers to make sure the “star” looks and sounds “like gold”.

Ventriloquist Terry Fator seems to get away without much of the behind-the-scenes hubbub that occurs in most Vegas shows. To Fator’s credit, his voice (with little technical enhancement) is the voice that is heard in the audience. Performing at the Mirage Resort and Casino, Fator and his puppets take the stage without most of the Vegas glitz and glamour, and for his many fans that adore him, it’s simply not required. The impersonator/ventriloquist gives a singing snippet of many different celebrities through a variety of his puppet personalities: an Elvis wannabe, a down-home country singer, a Dino crooner, a dope-headed headbanger that sings with the high-pitched metal scream of Axl Rose of Guns N’ Roses, a fifth Beatle, Vicky the Cougar (a 50 year-old tomcat that is still trying to hookup with young studs by singing Pussycat Dolls tunes), Winston the impersonating Turtle (who else could he impersonate, but Kermit the Frog!?!), and his newest addition to the stage: Wrex (a crash test dummy that sings automobile-related songs, like “Cars” by Gary Numan).

Fator sings each of their styles with a fair amount of similarity, and with humor. Did I forget to mention all the while with his mouth closed—only revealing a grin? Yes, Terry Fator impersonates Patsy Cline (well, his puppet does). His puppets seem to get all the glory (well, they’re doing the singing, right?...) And Fator’s talent at ventriloquism does just that—makes you think it’s the puppets that are getting away with some of those dirty thoughts and rude comments that make the audience roar with laughter.

“One of the reasons I learned how to sing as a ventriloquist was because I like singing in the car,” Fator says. “I’d see other people singing in the car, and they looked goofy, so I’d do it without moving my lips.”

As with any singer, his or her personal style will usually shine through, and though Fator’s impersonations are done relatively well, his high-pitched style tends to show through a common thread from puppet to puppet. His soul-singer character, Julius, was his best break-out style, highlighting Fator’s most diverse moment. Taking a moment to perform puppet-free, Fator sings an old 70’s rock song, with accompanying photos of himself in high school years long ago, revealing the rock star dreams of what Terry probably wished he could have been. Fator also gives a heartfelt show of appreciation to all our brave men and women that keep this country safe by singing a song in tribute to our soldiers.

This city of lights has earned its reputation in having some of the most spectacular (and sexy) shows, lights, extravaganzas—in the world, so many visitors choose to stay that route when purchasing their show tickets for the night. And yet, if you’re a Terry Fator fan, you opt-out of enjoying that “eye-candy”, those gorgeous young and beautiful women of say, Crazy Girls, the over-the-top talent of a Celine, or the jaw-dropping athletic talent of Cirque. But that’s the beauty of Vegas—we have something for everyone. SLV

Issue 48 featuring: Jordan Daniele, Darenzia & Georgia Jones