Terry Fator, winner of Season 2 of “America’s Got Talent,” entertained a thrilled H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center audience on Saturday with impressions, puppets and singing. 

Fator made an unexpected decision to open the show without his puppets and just his voice. He covered several songs during the opening medley including Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud.” 

The show was told as a story of his life before, during and after “America’s Got Talent.” 

About 10 minutes into the performance, Fator introduced his first puppet, Winston the Impersonating Turtle. Winston and Fator then performed one of the highlights of the show, “What a Wonderful World.” This was a song Fator covered on “America’s Got Talent.” 

What was truly impressive was when Fator sang in four different voices during one song. Fator wowed the audience by alternating between his, Winston, Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney voice during a cover of “The Girl Is Mine.”

A mid-show standing ovation occurred after Factor performed a tribute to Las Vegas, Nevada, and all of the people who were affected by last week’s mass shooting. The topic was close to Fator because he has a residency at The Mirage on the Las Vegas strip. 

Fator also acknowledged that the tragedy was close to the Shippensburg community, as Bill Wolfe Jr., a Shippensburg resident, was killed during the attack. He performed a touching rendition of “The Prayer” by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli. Audience members were brought to tears after an image of Bill Wolfe Jr. was put up on the video screen. 

Fator himself was brought to tears by the end of the song and expressed his gratitude for all of the first responders who saved lives during the attack.

Throughout the show Fator mentioned to the audience how many times he almost gave up on his dream. 

“I remember that moment at a state fair where one out of 1,000 seats were filled for my show,” Fator said. “I still did the show but was feeling defeated.”  

Fator also reminisced on his highpoint of being on “America’s Got Talent.” 

“I didn’t think I would make it that far yet alone win,” Fator said. “How crazy is it that now three ventriloquists have won the show?” 

The crowd loved the performance and there was a good reason behind their adoration — what was there not to love? 

Fator managed to make his dreams come true after years of trying to make it in show business. His performance not only showed that he is talented but also humble in the fact that he loves to give back. All of his merchandise proceeds go to numerous charities supporting the military.  

Fator had mentioned that years before “America’s Got Talent” he auditioned in front of Las Vegas producers who told him he was “not the Vegas type.” Fator has proved those producers completely wrong.

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