By Scott Christopher
Celebrity impersonator Jason Hewlett will perform his unique brand of entertainment at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 11, at Thanksgiving Point.
The 25-year old Utah native has honed the art of impersonation into a fast-paced, high energy, 75-minute show that features 60 voices. Among them are his impersonations of Jim Carrey, Michael Jackson, Ricky Martin and Elton John.
'Impersonating Elton John has been a challenge unlike any other,' Hewlett said. 'On the piano, vocally, visually -- and I love it!'
Hewlett taught himself to play the piano with the help of friends and listening to Billy Joel CDs.
He now performs as Billy Joel onstage, playing the piano and the harmonica.
'Audiences really like that part of the show,' Hewlett said.
Hewlett has also learned more eclectic instruments to broaden his range.
'I play the ukulele when I do Tiny Tim,' said Hewlett. 'I also put on a long, mangy wig.'
Most of the impersonating is done vocally and with facial expressions, he said, though occasionally he uses minimal costuming.
'For Michael Jackson I wear a little hat with the hair,' he said. 'And for Elton I do a big hat with the glasses.'
Hewlett''s first impersonation was in third grade. He dressed up like PeeWee Herman for a Halloween party and entertained his class.
Hewlett said he had two major influences. A short time after his LDS mission to Brazil, Hewlett saw Las Vegas superstar Danny Gans perform.
'I saw Danny''s show and I said, ''That''s what I want to be,''' said Hewlett. 'Sammy Davis, Jr. is another big influence - he''s one of the greatest entertainers of all time.'
Two years ago, when Hewlett got married, neither he nor his wife Tami knew what to expect; Hewlett didn''t have a job.
'But my wife was very, very supportive of my crazy dreams,' said Hewlett. 'And that''s when John Stuart called.'
Stuart is the owner of 'Legends in Concert,' a live stage show featuring celebrity impersonators. It''s the longest running show in Las Vegas, performing at the Imperial Palace.
'John heard there was some Mormon kid in Utah doing an act,' Hewlett said. 'He gave me a shot.'
Stuart hired Hewlett to play Ricky Martin for a job in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
'It didn''t take long to realize that Jason had what it took to be a top impersonator,' Stuart said.
Hewlett left the Legends show about a year ago and has been honing his one-man show since.
'This is it, man,' Hewlett said when asked about any ''day job'' he has. 'It''s a pretty good living. I do a lot of corporate shows and fund-raisers for charities.'
Tickets for Friday''s show are available at the Show Barn box office or ticketmaster.com.