To call Terry Fator’s show at New York-New York, Who’s the Dummy Now?, intimate would be a considerable understatement. The newest version of his long-standing Las Vegas show at Liberty Lofts sits atop the Tom’s Urban restaurant, which faces the Strip. It’s a much smaller space than the one he held court at for years at The Mirage (and, before that, the Las Vegas Hilton, now the Westgate), but the amount of talent Fator packs into one show is the same.
And honestly? As someone who has seen Fator countless times, in these smaller confines, this version allows Fator to get closer to his audience—both figuratively and literally. You also get a much better look at those now-iconic dummies that propel the voices of singers like Garth Brooks, Al Green, Kermit the Frog, Lesley Gore and dozens of others that Fator imitates to a pitch-perfect shine—all without moving his lips.
Part of the fun of a Fator show is how it’s like Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates. Fator has created so many puppets over the years that he can’t squeeze all of them into one show. Thus, the format may switch wildly, depending on what Fator is in the mood for. There are some characters you’re almost always guaranteed to see, however:
• Walter T. Airdale, Fator’s first puppet and a constant backstage narrator in each performance (usually updating the crowd as to how many ex-wives he has);
• Maynard Tompkins, the World’s Greatest Elvis Impersonator who seemingly has never actually heard an Elvis song;
• Duggie Scott Walker, a stoner who lives with his mother and can’t stop saying the word “Dude!”;
• Winston the Impersonating Turtle, irresistibly cute and full of wonder about the world around him (like why he has no energy to sit up when Fator takes a vacation without him);
Complementing this core cast are characters like Fernando V. Francisco, a Latin lover who attempts to hit on a poor soul in the first row; Julius, a soulful singer who gives Fator some advice on how to impress the ladies; and Vikki the Cougar, who’s full of double-entendres regarding her, um, romantic escapades.
Fator has also crafted a sizable collection of puppets that look eerily like their real-life counterparts. On any night, you might hear Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson duet, or get appearances from Justin Bieber (complete with Dolly Parton and Ozzy Osbourne angels on each shoulder), David Bowie, Frank Sinatra or Willie Nelson.
Of course, there’s that signature Fator humor—sometimes political, sometimes punny, and oftentimes dad jokes times infinity. The comedy reaches its zenith when Fator singles out audience members and speaks to them through his many puppets. It’s very strange to consider that Fator speaking directly to these people would be a bit creepy, but through the mouths of wooden characters, it’s hysterical!
But, as Fator asks the audience at the show’s beginning, “You came to see the puppets, didn’t you?” And that’s because Fator, like his audiences, is no dummy.
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