This past fall, Paul Zerdin became the second ventriloquist to win "America's Got Talent," following on the 2007 success of Terry Fator.

Zerdin's command of ventriloquism and comedy was born of plenty of experience. Long before he became a contestant on "America's Got Talent," the native Brit was working plentiful gigs outside of the U.S. The shows included the Royal Variety Performance, Edinburgh Festival, and Montreal's Just for Laughs Festival. In 1996, Zerdin won "The Big Big Talent Show," which is where he met Nigel Lythgoe, who went on to "American Idol" and "So You Think You Can Dance" fame. Lythgoe mentored Zerdin, helping him, for instance, get a slot in the Prince's Trust Gala Show in 1997.

With his "America's Got Talent" victory, though, Zerdin is seeing the American market open up to him. He's touring the states, and he'll be performing Saturday at Foxwoods, so, fans, get thee to the Fox Theater.

Paul Zerdin, 8 p.m. Saturday, Foxwoods' Fox Theater; $35, $50; 1-800-200-2882.