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Opera House brings the ‘Rat Pack’ back to life
Sandy Hackett's Rat Pack finds Frank, Dino and (shown here) Sammy Davis Jr. come back to life. Courtesy photo
TRAVERSE CITY – For Sandy Hackett, taking on the role of one of
the members of the Rat Pack wasn’t a stretch. After all, as the son of
legendary comic Buddy Hackett, he was there to witness the antics of
Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., “Uncle” Joey Bishop, and the Chairman of
the Board himself – Ol’ Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra.
But putting together a show that would measure up to the lofty status that the group has assumed in the years since their deaths is a difficult task. Hackett and his wife and partner Lisa Dawn Miller believe they have succeeded by not trying to make it a tribute act harkening back to the ’60s. Instead, it’s more a theatrical presentation of what would happen should the Rat Pack suddenly materialize in the present day.
“There are a lot of tribute acts out there,” said Hackett by phone from Los Angeles. “If you’re a bad tribute act, it’s really bad.”
“It’s not a tribute, it’s a theatrical production,” added Miller. “We work really hard at being unique. It’s not what everybody else does.”
However, they are careful to make sure that the work doesn’t show, and instead have the performance come off as natural and effortless, like the easy camaraderie the group was known for. Miller compares it to an athlete working hard in practice so when it comes to game time, they are totally prepared and ready to play. “Kobe Bryant works harder than anyone, but (in a game) you don’t know it.”
In addition to helming the production, Hackett’s role in the show is entertaining between the songs with routines he’s honed over the years interspersed with topical humor. So you may find references to classic Rat Pack and Hollywood moments followed by riffs on the government shutdown or the flannel-clad guy in the front row.
Hackett says he and the rest of the cast try to emulate the spirit of the performers, rather than aping their look.
“I’ve had people tell me I look just like Joey Bishop. No, I don’t look anything like Joey Bishop! But it means we’ve gotten the essence,” he said.
Miller’s role as Frank’s One True Love allows her to sing songs by her father, the noted composer Ron Miller. His compositions include the emotional “Wasn’t I a Good Time?” as well as songs like “For Once in My Life,” which was performed by Martin, Davis and Sinatra over the years.
“It’s mostly based on his relationship with Ava Gardner – they couldn’t live with each other or without each other,” said Miller. Though based on Gardner, the two note that the part could be seen as an amalgam of a number of women who were important to Sinatra, including his wives and his mother. Continued...
But putting together a show that would measure up to the lofty status that the group has assumed in the years since their deaths is a difficult task. Hackett and his wife and partner Lisa Dawn Miller believe they have succeeded by not trying to make it a tribute act harkening back to the ’60s. Instead, it’s more a theatrical presentation of what would happen should the Rat Pack suddenly materialize in the present day.
“There are a lot of tribute acts out there,” said Hackett by phone from Los Angeles. “If you’re a bad tribute act, it’s really bad.”
“It’s not a tribute, it’s a theatrical production,” added Miller. “We work really hard at being unique. It’s not what everybody else does.”
However, they are careful to make sure that the work doesn’t show, and instead have the performance come off as natural and effortless, like the easy camaraderie the group was known for. Miller compares it to an athlete working hard in practice so when it comes to game time, they are totally prepared and ready to play. “Kobe Bryant works harder than anyone, but (in a game) you don’t know it.”
In addition to helming the production, Hackett’s role in the show is entertaining between the songs with routines he’s honed over the years interspersed with topical humor. So you may find references to classic Rat Pack and Hollywood moments followed by riffs on the government shutdown or the flannel-clad guy in the front row.
Hackett says he and the rest of the cast try to emulate the spirit of the performers, rather than aping their look.
“I’ve had people tell me I look just like Joey Bishop. No, I don’t look anything like Joey Bishop! But it means we’ve gotten the essence,” he said.
Miller’s role as Frank’s One True Love allows her to sing songs by her father, the noted composer Ron Miller. His compositions include the emotional “Wasn’t I a Good Time?” as well as songs like “For Once in My Life,” which was performed by Martin, Davis and Sinatra over the years.
“It’s mostly based on his relationship with Ava Gardner – they couldn’t live with each other or without each other,” said Miller. Though based on Gardner, the two note that the part could be seen as an amalgam of a number of women who were important to Sinatra, including his wives and his mother. Continued...
The duo says the camaraderie among the cast and crew brings to
life that same spirit that was paramount among the real members of the
Rat Pack.
“The real Rat Pack was about relationships,” said Miller. “They loved and respected one another. Civil rights became a big issue. Sammy was not treated right offstage, and Frank stood up for him.
“To have that relationship on stage comes across,” she continued.
Most of the cast members are longtime friends, and that makes it easier to go off-script. “In improv, you need somebody who will let you go. All our actors support each other.”
Miller notes that in many ways Bishop was the glue that kept things moving. Here it’s Hackett who takes on that role. “Joey was the comedian, he wrote a lot of the stuff. Sandy leads the comedy. As long as he is onstage it’ll be good.”
Hackett knew Bishop not only through his famous father, but he worked with him on a proposed game show that involved other comedians. “We taped a dozen pilots,” he said. “I watched him work. He was quick with a quip.”
While the original Rat Pack included Englishman Peter Lawford, Hackett opted to leave him out of his show, noting that a British touring group didn’t include Bishop. “That’ll teach those Brits!” he said with a laugh.
The show takes place Friday, Oct. 25 at 8 p.m. For tickets or additional information, go to CityOperaHouse.org.
“The real Rat Pack was about relationships,” said Miller. “They loved and respected one another. Civil rights became a big issue. Sammy was not treated right offstage, and Frank stood up for him.
“To have that relationship on stage comes across,” she continued.
Most of the cast members are longtime friends, and that makes it easier to go off-script. “In improv, you need somebody who will let you go. All our actors support each other.”
Miller notes that in many ways Bishop was the glue that kept things moving. Here it’s Hackett who takes on that role. “Joey was the comedian, he wrote a lot of the stuff. Sandy leads the comedy. As long as he is onstage it’ll be good.”
Hackett knew Bishop not only through his famous father, but he worked with him on a proposed game show that involved other comedians. “We taped a dozen pilots,” he said. “I watched him work. He was quick with a quip.”
While the original Rat Pack included Englishman Peter Lawford, Hackett opted to leave him out of his show, noting that a British touring group didn’t include Bishop. “That’ll teach those Brits!” he said with a laugh.
The show takes place Friday, Oct. 25 at 8 p.m. For tickets or additional information, go to CityOperaHouse.org.
TRAVERSE CITY – For Sandy Hackett, taking on the role of one of
the members of the Rat Pack wasn’t a stretch. After all, as the son of
legendary comic Buddy Hackett, he was there to witness the antics of
Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., “Uncle” Joey Bishop, and the Chairman of
the Board himself – Ol’ Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra.
But putting together a show that would measure up to the lofty status that the group has assumed in the years since their deaths is a difficult task. Hackett and his wife and partner Lisa Dawn Miller believe they have succeeded by not trying to make it a tribute act harkening back to the ’60s. Instead, it’s more a theatrical presentation of what would happen should the Rat Pack suddenly materialize in the present day.
“There are a lot of tribute acts out there,” said Hackett by phone from Los Angeles. “If you’re a bad tribute act, it’s really bad.”
“It’s not a tribute, it’s a theatrical production,” added Miller. “We work really hard at being unique. It’s not what everybody else does.”
However, they are careful to make sure that the work doesn’t show, and instead have the performance come off as natural and effortless, like the easy camaraderie the group was known for. Miller compares it to an athlete working hard in practice so when it comes to game time, they are totally prepared and ready to play. “Kobe Bryant works harder than anyone, but (in a game) you don’t know it.”
In addition to helming the production, Hackett’s role in the show is entertaining between the songs with routines he’s honed over the years interspersed with topical humor. So you may find references to classic Rat Pack and Hollywood moments followed by riffs on the government shutdown or the flannel-clad guy in the front row.
Hackett says he and the rest of the cast try to emulate the spirit of the performers, rather than aping their look.
“I’ve had people tell me I look just like Joey Bishop. No, I don’t look anything like Joey Bishop! But it means we’ve gotten the essence,” he said.
Miller’s role as Frank’s One True Love allows her to sing songs by her father, the noted composer Ron Miller. His compositions include the emotional “Wasn’t I a Good Time?” as well as songs like “For Once in My Life,” which was performed by Martin, Davis and Sinatra over the years.
“It’s mostly based on his relationship with Ava Gardner – they couldn’t live with each other or without each other,” said Miller. Though based on Gardner, the two note that the part could be seen as an amalgam of a number of women who were important to Sinatra, including his wives and his mother.
The duo says the camaraderie among the cast and crew brings to life that same spirit that was paramount among the real members of the Rat Pack.
“The real Rat Pack was about relationships,” said Miller. “They loved and respected one another. Civil rights became a big issue. Sammy was not treated right offstage, and Frank stood up for him.
“To have that relationship on stage comes across,” she continued.
Most of the cast members are longtime friends, and that makes it easier to go off-script. “In improv, you need somebody who will let you go. All our actors support each other.”
Miller notes that in many ways Bishop was the glue that kept things moving. Here it’s Hackett who takes on that role. “Joey was the comedian, he wrote a lot of the stuff. Sandy leads the comedy. As long as he is onstage it’ll be good.”
Hackett knew Bishop not only through his famous father, but he worked with him on a proposed game show that involved other comedians. “We taped a dozen pilots,” he said. “I watched him work. He was quick with a quip.”
While the original Rat Pack included Englishman Peter Lawford, Hackett opted to leave him out of his show, noting that a British touring group didn’t include Bishop. “That’ll teach those Brits!” he said with a laugh.
The show takes place Friday, Oct. 25 at 8 p.m. For tickets or additional information, go to CityOperaHouse.org.
But putting together a show that would measure up to the lofty status that the group has assumed in the years since their deaths is a difficult task. Hackett and his wife and partner Lisa Dawn Miller believe they have succeeded by not trying to make it a tribute act harkening back to the ’60s. Instead, it’s more a theatrical presentation of what would happen should the Rat Pack suddenly materialize in the present day.
“There are a lot of tribute acts out there,” said Hackett by phone from Los Angeles. “If you’re a bad tribute act, it’s really bad.”
“It’s not a tribute, it’s a theatrical production,” added Miller. “We work really hard at being unique. It’s not what everybody else does.”
However, they are careful to make sure that the work doesn’t show, and instead have the performance come off as natural and effortless, like the easy camaraderie the group was known for. Miller compares it to an athlete working hard in practice so when it comes to game time, they are totally prepared and ready to play. “Kobe Bryant works harder than anyone, but (in a game) you don’t know it.”
In addition to helming the production, Hackett’s role in the show is entertaining between the songs with routines he’s honed over the years interspersed with topical humor. So you may find references to classic Rat Pack and Hollywood moments followed by riffs on the government shutdown or the flannel-clad guy in the front row.
Hackett says he and the rest of the cast try to emulate the spirit of the performers, rather than aping their look.
“I’ve had people tell me I look just like Joey Bishop. No, I don’t look anything like Joey Bishop! But it means we’ve gotten the essence,” he said.
Miller’s role as Frank’s One True Love allows her to sing songs by her father, the noted composer Ron Miller. His compositions include the emotional “Wasn’t I a Good Time?” as well as songs like “For Once in My Life,” which was performed by Martin, Davis and Sinatra over the years.
“It’s mostly based on his relationship with Ava Gardner – they couldn’t live with each other or without each other,” said Miller. Though based on Gardner, the two note that the part could be seen as an amalgam of a number of women who were important to Sinatra, including his wives and his mother.
The duo says the camaraderie among the cast and crew brings to life that same spirit that was paramount among the real members of the Rat Pack.
“The real Rat Pack was about relationships,” said Miller. “They loved and respected one another. Civil rights became a big issue. Sammy was not treated right offstage, and Frank stood up for him.
“To have that relationship on stage comes across,” she continued.
Most of the cast members are longtime friends, and that makes it easier to go off-script. “In improv, you need somebody who will let you go. All our actors support each other.”
Miller notes that in many ways Bishop was the glue that kept things moving. Here it’s Hackett who takes on that role. “Joey was the comedian, he wrote a lot of the stuff. Sandy leads the comedy. As long as he is onstage it’ll be good.”
Hackett knew Bishop not only through his famous father, but he worked with him on a proposed game show that involved other comedians. “We taped a dozen pilots,” he said. “I watched him work. He was quick with a quip.”
While the original Rat Pack included Englishman Peter Lawford, Hackett opted to leave him out of his show, noting that a British touring group didn’t include Bishop. “That’ll teach those Brits!” he said with a laugh.
The show takes place Friday, Oct. 25 at 8 p.m. For tickets or additional information, go to CityOperaHouse.org.
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