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Ventriloquist headliner Todd Oliver coming to the Ford

Todd Oliver, who has appeared on national talk shows and America’s Got Talent, is scheduled to perform at the Ford Theatre, Saturday, April 26 at 7 p.m. COURTESY PHOTO

• His dog, Irving, is going to “talk up a storm”

Ventriloquist Todd Oliver and his dog, Irving, are scheduled to present their show, “The Funniest Night in Town” on Saturday, April 26 at 7 p.m. at the Ford Theatre. Todd and Irving, among other friends, offer a night of surprises and laughs for the entire family.

“The Funniest Night in Town” Comedy Event began as a kid’s dream. “I was 10 years old when I received my first ventriloquist dummy on Christmas morning,” Todd explained in a press release.” Three days later, my father died from cancer. That little ventriloquist dummy helped me deal with my loss and sadness. I also discovered that little character could make other people happy, too.”

Raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Todd fell in love with ventriloquism and developed his craft by studying at the local library and giving shows all over the city free of charge.

Upon graduation from high school, Todd began touring schools and clubs and eventually made his way into cruise ship entertainment and then showboats in Nashville, Tennessee and Branson, Missouri. Entertainers are always looking for new show ideas, and one day Todd hit the jackpot.

“I was looking at my dog and thought, ‘I bet you would have a lot to say if you could talk.’”  Seven months later, Todd’s Boston Terrier, Irving, “premiered as America’s real talking dog.” Todd and Irving have appeared on David Letterman, The Tonight Show, The Today Show, Craig Ferguson, “Walker Texas Ranger” episodes, and in 2012, Todd and Irving were a Top 4 finalist on “America’s Got Talent.” Todd’s childhood dream now has him entertaining families in theaters across the country.

“I’ve been very blessed. TV is great fun, but a ventriloquist makes his living doing shows.” Making families laugh together with “original clean contemporary comedy and fun is the goal, so sit back and get ready, you might even be on stage yourself! Todd turns audience members into real live Ventriloquist dummies! Either way you’re going to have a doggone, rocking good time!”

Tickets are available at the door or in advance at saltriverarts.com.

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