'Sandy Hackett's Rat Pack Show' coming to Carmel

During the 1960s, a handful of entertainers with the intention of making a movie decided to spend their free time performing at Las Vegas nightclubs and ended up re-defining "cool" to a new generation.

Joey Bishop, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr., all popular performers of song, comedy and dance, were eager to break boundaries. They also occasionally risked their reputations, associating themselves with the powerful and dangerous.

The Sands Hotel, then the hottest spot in Las Vegas, became home to the "Rat Pack," as they called themselves. All the men have passed on, but they still have fans who are very much alive. The group's talents are remembered in "Sandy Hactkett's Rat Pack Show," a combination of story, song and dance that comes to the Sunset Center in Carmel on Oct. 7.

The local stop is one of more than 70 performance dates in 45 cities on a nationwide tour. The show is produced by writer and actor Sandy Hackett, who's the son of comedian Buddy Hackett; and his wife, Lisa Dawn Miller, daughter of Motown songwriter Ron Miller. Miller penned such hits as "Touch Me in The Morning," "Place in the Sun," "Yester-me, Yester-you, Yesterday" and "For Once in My Life," to name a few.

In addition to being a producer of the show, Lisa Dawn Miller also performs in the production as the character "Frank's One Love." She recently took time to share some thoughts about the show.

QUESTION: Can you tell me about the role you play in the show?

LISA DAWN MILLER: I'm excited to play the character of Frank's One Love, a character that hints of the love story between Frank Sinatra and actress Ava Gardner, although audience members can decide for themselves who Frank's one love was, as he was married to other women. The song I sing, "Wasn't I a Good Time," implies love and missing love. Ava was the one woman that supposedly Frank Sinatra could not tame ... most people [see] her as being the person the character is based on.

Q: You did not start your professional career as a singer. What inspired you to perform?

LDM: Music was tugging at my heart. Coming across music that had never been recorded gave me extra inspiration to sing again. I wanted to honor [my father's] music responsibly, and this show does just that. His music was written during a time when people didn't have much money but they were rich in friendships and love of music. People would share food and music and have a great time, make great music together. These are memories that I remember and are dear to my mom as well.

Q: What makes this show unique and special?

LDM: This show is not your typical tribute show. We are giving our audience a chance to experience what a Rat Pack show might have been like. It's a narrative that gives you a chance to listen and hear some of their stories. We're excited to bring the show to Northern California as the people who live there have appreciated great music through the years.

Q: Your father is the famous songwriter Ron Miller. The show tells the story of the Rat Pack using your dad's songs. How did it feel to hear these songs?

LDM: I'm excited for people to hear songs that have just been recently discovered. I think this show is, in its unique way, bringing Dad back to audiences of the past who loved his music and [to] new fans who are just discovering him. ... The cast is stellar and the chemistry works to make it a memorable night for all who come to see the show.

Q: What are your future plans as this show continues?

LDM: I'm working on a new CD right now and recording 20 new songs. song standards that will continue to give honor and help preserve [my father's] legacy. My father was a humble, average man, not a show-off. He never got involved with petty gossip; instead, he loved his music and could write a song about someone or something instantly. I would love to do a musical based on his life and music. I want to get more of his work out there for people to enjoy.