Rat Pack
Working the boards they did best, the legendary ‘Rat Pack’ of
Sinatra, Martin, Davis, Jr., and Bishop. And they still do, thanks to
Theater League’s latest touring show, “Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show,”
running through Sunday, Oct. 30 at the Thousand Oaks Performing Arts
Center, Thousand Oaks.
From the Rat Pack’s ‘50s to ‘60s heyday in Las Vegas -- if only the
walls could speak -- to the Kavli Theatre, the opening night audience
seemed to take to The boys: Frank, Dean, Sammy and Joey (but no
Peter Lawford).
Through song, step, swagger and swipes, the Rat Pack tribute hit enough pop culture nostalgia buttons to entertain, even if you weren’t brought up hearing its talented members’ antics, frequently unannounced and spontaneously sprung.
With their trademark looks, winning vocal style and, in Bishop’s case spats of jokes, they offered swing, jazz, comedy and more. A top-notch eight-piece orchestra, led by Ryan Rose and Chris Hardin backed the rotating cast. You’ll turn your eyes and ears on veteran and multi-skilled artists David DeCosta as Frank; Tony Basile as Dean; Dezmond Meeks from this year’s “America’s Got Talent” stepping about as Sammy; and Hackett as Bishop.
My favs were Dean, with trademark cig and drink in hand; and Sammy. But those Joey jokes were situations to ponder. Why can’t you find books on suicide in a library? (Because no one brings them back). Or the woman who dreads dental work, tells the dentist she’d rather experience childbirth (so the dentist says “make up your mind so I can adjust the chair”). Or Joey to Sammy wearing a flashy jacket: “Did Liberace have a garage sale?”
Two acts were sprinkled liberally with songs, together, in duos, in solos. From “My Kind of Town” and “Volare” to “Wasn’t I a Good Time” and “Luck Be a Lady.”
Irish John Gore of Thousand Oaks, who heard “Chairman of the Board” Sinatra sing at least twice in live concerts, said the first Kavli concert was “brilliant.” Wife Sue Gore called the event “a variety show.”
So what catapulted the quartet 50 years into today? Credit Sandy Hackett, son of the late comedian Buddy Hackett, who hung out with the Rat Pack. Hackett, 55, wrote and developed the show, with the help of his late father. In published reports, Sandy Hackett has said his development of this show was triggered by a call in the ‘90s from the real life Bishop (“Uncle Joey”), who said “you’d be perfectly playing me.” So, Sandy is.
Still, it’s a family affair since the elder Hackett’s voice is woven into the show as the Voice of God. Sandy Hackett assumes the persona of Joey Bishop, and his wife, singer-actress Lisa Dawn Miller, is “Frank’s One Love,” said to be Ave Gardner. And Sandy Hackett’s youthful stepson, Oliver Richman, who can belt out a song, is in the spotlight as Young Frank Sinatra. And there’s more. Producers are Sandy and wife Lisa. Director is Billy Karl.
Don’t expect any plot, just goofing around in song and dance, punctuated with slow ballads. Nor will you find the affectionate tomfoolery clear in footage of the Pack’s shows corralled for you to buy from small screen infomercials.
Way before bans on cigarette ads in certain publications, public service ads about the dangers of excessive drinking, and driving while intoxicated, the Rat Pack ruled the Kingdom of Kool.
For performance times and ticket information, call the box office at (805) 449-2787, visit www.civicartsplaza.com; or contact Ticketmaster, (800) 745-3000 or go to ticketmaster.com. The show’s website is www.sandyhackettratpackshow.com.