David Cassidy on the Web
The Rat Pack
2001
www.whitington.com
The legendary Rat Pack started in the fifties, with Humphry Bogart as its leader. After his death, Frank Sinatra assumed that role in this wild group of revelers. Sinatra's Rat Pack hit its heyday in 1960, when he and his buddies Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr, Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford teamed up to make the movie "Oceans 11". It was filmed in Las Vegas, and the guys would work on the movie during the day and play the casinos at night. When one of them finished, or had a night off, they would join one of the others on stage, interrupting their act for some adlibed antics. The audiences went wild, and soon Frank had packaged the act at the Sands.
They would each come out and do a small set on their own, and then the group would get together on stage for a truly magical performance. If you're interested in hearing one of their performances, get the audio CD "The Summit: In Concert" by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. A movie that is also worth renting is "The Rat Pack" starring Ray Liotta and Joe Mantegna - it's a faithful telling of the Rat Pack story.
Which brings us to the current show in Las Vegas, The Rat Pack Is Back! at the Sahara Hotel & Casino. It is exactly like attending one of Rat Pack's shows back in 1961 - the four performers have their alter egos from the original Rat Pack down pat, so close that you'll forget that you aren't watching the real thing. All the performers in the show at the Sahara are dead ringers for them. This was hands down the favorite thing that we did on our Vegas trip. Just read some of the reviews below...
Reviews of The Rat Pack Is Back!:
"Re-creating the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas, The Rat Pack Is Back! at the Sahara Hotel & Casino transports guests to Frank Sinatra's 46th birthday party, Dec. 12, 1961. During that era, house shows were not judged by acrobatic difficulty or booming pyro. This was classic Vegas, a moment in time owned by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Joey Bishop. All the songs, classic insults, mannerisms and passion to entertain an audience that embodied The Rat Pack are used to perfection by the cast. Utilizing the ambience of a live orchestra, an intimate showroom and the flavor of Frank, Dean, Sammy and Joey, The Rat Pack Is Back! relies on a touch of class to accompany audiences to an unforgettable journey down memory lane."
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- What's On Magazine
"Once upon a time, in the magical realm of Las Vegas, four princes - well, actually, one Chairman of the Board, two princes and a court jester - reigned supreme, dispensing song, dance and laughter. Their names were Frank, Dino, Sammy and Joey, a regal quartet that held court in what was known as the Copa Room. All but one is gone now - and so is their fabled Sands showroom. But the spirit that transformed those vintage Vegas days has returned to the Las Vegas Strip with The Rat Pack Is Back!, a show devoted to their legendary high jinks that's now at the Sahara. The Rat Pack Is Back! stands out, offering audiences the chance to return to that magical Vegas of once-upon-a-time."
- Las Vegas Review Journal
"The Rat Pack Is Back! is some riotous sparring between the four, with each getting their solo opportunities to belt out the standards which highlighted their careers. It's 90 minutes of first-rate entertainment. If you're a fan of the big band era and this is your type of music then The Rat Pack is Back! is not to be missed. Here, at Talkin' Broadway, we've only given 3 shows in Las Vegas a 5-star rating. Based on the entertainment value presented here in this very clever concept show, The Rat Pack is Back! receives our highest rating. Don't go expecting fancy sets or anything like that. But do go if you want to see and hear some terrific performers."
- Talkin' Broadway Magazine
"While JFK was transforming Washington, D.C., with his glamour and panache, Sinatra reigned supreme in a different capital. With a little help from his even better pals Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Joey Bishop (plus an occasional assist from Kennedy in-law Peter Lawford), Frank and his cohorts - known collectively as the Rat Pack - made Las Vegas the undisputed entertainment epicenter of the world. The world has changed immeasurably since then. But the allure of Sinatra and his merry men remains as tantalizing as ever, as The Rat Pack Is Back! ably demonstrates. A make-believe meeting of Frank, Dino, Sammy and Joey - first names only, please - The Rat Pack Is Back! finds the Chairman of the Board and his court jester, Joey, welcoming Dino and Sammy to an impromptu birthday bash for the legendary group's beloved figurehead. Ever the impeccable hosts, the celebrants make sure their guests in the audience have at least as much fun as they're having onstage.
- Las Vegas Review Journal
