Terry Fator, Nathan Burton Offer

Family Friendly Shows in Las Vegas

By Pat Lindsey

Two of our favorite new shows in Las Vegas we didn’t know either performer before hand. Terry Fator and Nathan Burton were highly recommended and mostly family appropriate, the kind of entertainers who could play in Branson. Both proved to be excellent choices when you’re trying to decide where to spend your entertainment dollar in Las Vegas, especially with increases ticket prices and so many shows to chose from there.

A couple of months ago, we hadn’t heard of Terry Fator, because we hadn’t seen the second season of “America’s Got Talent.”   Recently, Terry has performed on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and he made a guest appearance on “America’s Got Talent.”

Terry Fator has brought ventriloquism to a new level of entertainment.  He not only speaks through his dozens of dummies, but he also makes his dummies impersonate famous singers.  The most remarkable thing about his act is that he can sing in male and female voices and you rarely see his mouth move.  During one show at the Mirage, we heard Aaron Neville, Bruce Springsteen, Sonny & Cher, Elvis, Garth Brooks and others in what is billed as Terry Fater and “a cast of thousands.”

And Fater’s dummies aren’t just dummies.  They’re so full of personality that you feel like you actually know them by the end of the evening.  One of my personal favorites was Vicky the Cougar, who had a penchant for younger men.  Even though she is a bit past her prime, she tries to be sexy and she can still belt out a touchy number.  Malcomb, the stuttering wanna-be Elvis, claims he’s the best Elvis impersonator in the world, but you’d never believe it until he starts to sing and then everyone is flabbergasted.

When you put all of his characters together in one jaw-dropping show, it’s easy to see why Terry Fator won the million dollar prize on the TV show and why he just signed the largest contract in Las Vegas history—a five-year contract for $100 million at the Mirage.

Nathan Burton’s  Comedy Magic show would fit nicely in Branson.. However, don’t expect him there any time soon. This family-friendly show has found a home for 4 p.m. shows at the main showroom at the Flamingo where he signed a three-year contract.   Donny and Marie Osmond were playing the same theater at night when we were there.

Burton is now only family friendly, but family involved as his sister Emily is production manager (among her many duties) and their mother is often there helping out also.

With only matinee 4 p.m. shows at the Flamingo’s main showroom, you see a lot of families. Burton’s show mixes comedy and magic offers some unique skits like the Microwave of Death and the Steammroller utilizing two beautiful showgirls who assist him in his and theirs’ disappearing act. There’s also an accompanying juggler on the show that rotates knives and bowling balls. All together the fast-paced show incorporates a lot of magic and laughs in a little over an hour show.    Nathan also a product of  “America’s Got Talent” and although he didn’t win in season 4, he received a standing ovation and “wows” from the celebrity judges.

Tickets for Burton are reasonably priced for Vegas, more comparable to shows in the Branson price range.

For more visit web sites: www.flamingvtlasvcwegas.com or www.nationalburton.com

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