Markham Economist & Sun
Straight from Las Vegas, crooning
sensation the Rat Pack will hit the Markham stage for two performances.
Making its Canadian debut, Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show runs Nov. 20 at 2 and 4 p.m.
Relive the music that defined the golden
era of Las Vegas through the classic songs everyone knows and loves,
featuring the best of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and
Joey Bishop.
It’s not just about the music. The
performance takes the audience on a journey and offers a
behind-the-scenes look at the stars of the era.
“This isn’t a tribute show or an
impersonation show,” said co-producer Lisa Don Miller, who also stars in
the production as Frank Sinatra’s one true love.
“There is a narrative here. You can have
look-a-likes and sound-a-likes. But it’s the chemistry and the
relationship between these guys that make the story.”
The show is a mix of famously recorded
songs, original music and comedy set on the famous Las Vegas Hotel and
Casino stage.
The story plays out for the audience in front of a simple stage backdrop.
“Especially in Las Vegas, there are
large productions with magic tricks and technical things,” Ms Don Miller
said. “But what carried the Rat Pack show in 1960 was the talent. They
didn’t have a large Cirque (du Soleil) set behind them. It was the
talent that kept the train going. It’s a great story.”
The Rat Pack returns to find love, sing great hits and laugh with the audience.
But they don’t go back to 1960 where it all began. They return to 2013.
“God sends them back in their prime to
2013,” Ms Don Miller said. “It’s all about what’s happening in the
moment. There’s always something going on several levels. There’s great
comedy mixed with wonderful songs.”
It’s those funny one-liners that make this a popular show, with relevant and current topics.
“There will be Rob Ford jokes in there,”
said co-producer Sandy Hackett, who also plays the mouth of the Rat
Pack, Joey Bishop.
“It’s a setup-punch line type comedy. An emotionally funny roller coaster.”
For tickets, visit markhamtheatre.com