The Events Center in the Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino was merry and bright on December 21 when Las Vegas showman Terry Fator brought his menagerie of characters to Niagara Falls for a holiday themed show.
DJ Ben Harris got the crowd warmed up with some rocking tunes before the show.
Playing before a full house Fator opened the show with a little song and dance.
Terry Fator broke onto the national scene in 2007 when he appeared on the reality competition show “America’s Got Talent”. A 20 year showbiz veteran performing in schools and other events, Fator said that his original plan was to appear on a couple of shows so he could make a little more money. But fate had other plans and Fator won the competition and has since opened a show in Las Vegas that has become one of the most popular performances on the Strip.
Kicking off the puppet parade was his AGT cohort Winston the Impersonating Turtle who regaled the crowd with stories of his experiences in Hollywood since relocating there to become a movie star.
Fator’s puppet family includes nearly three dozen characters that feature some 200 impersonations. During the December 21 performance, the show included The Bee Gees, Ethel Merman, Cher, Michael Jackson, Nat King Cole, Stevie Wonder, Elvis Presley, Kermit the Frog, Louis Armstrong, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Rod Stewart, and Frank Sinatra.
Next came Country music artist Walter T. Airdale to regale the crowd with stories of his many wives.
The Beatle talked…and sang…about the many songs he helped Sir Paul McCartney and John Lennon write for The Beatles. The Beatle also performed a duet with Michael Jackson.
Apollo Theater star Julius sang Nat King Cole and Stevie Wonder songs. Julius also made the Puppet Service Announcement that it is now a federal law that all cups of cocoa must include marshmallows.
Next up was the worlds greatest Elvis impersonator Maynard Thompkins but he didn’t want to sing an Elvis song. Maynard eventually did sing an Aaron Neville song and announced to the crowd that he is a proud maniquin American who loves his tree heritage.
Everybody’s got one, that annoying neighbour. Terry’s most annoying neighbour Duggie Scott Walker stopped by to tell everyone about the newest holiday Juana – a time of prolific baking where everyone wishes each other Merry Juana…or just Hiiiiiiiiiiiii. On Juana people waits for Willie to bring the baggies.
Winston returns to the stage to perform a Kermit / Louis Armstrong duet with Fator and to perform the song that won them AGT – Roy Orbison with “Crying”.
After recognizing the veterans, active military, and first responders; Fator spoke on his foundation. The Terry Fator Foundation which assists children and veterans. Fator autographed the shirt he was wearing for the performance and auctioned it off to benefit the TFF. Proceeds from sales at the merchandise table also went to the Foundation.
For a little fun, Fator had the ladies volunteer their husbands to be a human puppet. Claudia volunteered her husband Jim. Jim joined Terry on stage to have Fator do a little talking for him.
After a performance of “Baby,It’s Cold Outside” by Dolly Parton and Rod Stewart, Old Blues Eyes himself Frank Sinatra stopped by.
And after a return visit from Maynard, Fator had a little question and answer session with the audience.
Winston returned to the stage for one final performance to close out the show with an Italian rendition of “The Prayer”.
It was a night of fun and laughs with Terry Fator and his parade of puppets at Seneca Niagara with a show worth remembering.