Oliver & Friends Entertain at the Heckart

"Todd Oliver and Friends," which included his famous talking dog Irving, played to an appreciative crowd at the Heckart Performing Arts Center on the Smith-Cotton High School campus last Saturday night, Dec. 3.

The 90-minute show featured not only Irving, a quick-witted, sarcastic Boston Terrier voiced by Oliver, but also plenty of comedy, magic, a musical number on a grand piano performed by Oliver, three ventriloquist dummies and audience participation. Oh, and a short warm-up video introducing Oliver to the audience.

Oliver came to national prominence via numerous TV appearances, including The Tonight Show, Late Night With David Letterman, The Today Show, and he finished in the top four on the highly-popular weekly talent competition, America’s Got Talent a few seasons ago.

Way before that, he performed on Howie Mandel's talk show on CBS back in 1999. He spent 13 years on a showboat in Branson, perfecting his delivery and timing, and he brought his well-rehearsed show to Sedalia last weekend. He also made a few pre-show appearances at area schools earlier in the week.

The video below, recorded here in Sedalia Dec. 3, shows the rapport he has with his faithful and funny dog Irving.