[NEohioPAL]Berko review: THE RAT PACK (Playhouse Square Association)

[Roy Berko]

‘RAT PACK’ imitation pleases the fans of the originals
at the Palace

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News
Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times	


Walking into the Palace Theatre in Playhouse Square to
see ‘THE RAT PACK LIVE AT THE SANDS,” was like being
in a time warp back to the 1960s.  The older crowd was
dressed in the polyester style of the vintage Vegas. 
Yes, men in open collared colorful shirts, with
crosses nestled in their chest hair and women with
“big” hair and plunging necklines.

Why were they at the Palace?  They came to see Frank
Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr., who, along
with Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop, were the most
popular entertainers from the mid-1950s to the 1960s
in Vegas.  Of course, these weren’t the “real” pack,
but that mattered little.

An interesting fact, that few probably know,
especially based on his late-in-life conservative
leanings, is that Sinatra refused to perform in any
establishments that would not give full service to
African Americans.  As a result Las Vegas properties
were forced to abandon their segregation-based
policies.

The friends faded from popularity with the rise of the
counter culture of the 1960s.  Well, they lost
popularity with some, but their loyal fans, like those
who were at the opening night of ‘THE RAT PACK LIVE AT
THE SANDS,’ remained loyal.  It didn’t matter that
these weren’t the real thing, they represented the
real thing, and that appeared to be enough as the
audience sang along, laughed at the corny jokes, and
were willing to accept this was the closest that they
were going to get to their favorite entertainers of
the past. 

Do not go expect a story line, there is none.  What
you’ll see is a review that attempts to duplicate an
authentic night with the Rat Pack at the Sands Hotel. 
A night full of Davis clowning and dancing, Dean
playing the drunk, and Sinatra playing like Mafioso
and singing his favorite songs.  

Don’t expect to see duplicates of Sinatra, Davis and
Martin.  The performers, Stephen Triffitt (Sinatra),
David Hayes (Sammy Davis Jr.), and Nigel Casey (Dean
Martin) generally look and sound like the originals,
but none of them has the dynamism to grab and hold an
audience like the men they are portraying.  Yes,
portraying, not being!

The big band, under the direction of Andy Rumble is
excellent.  Their versions of “Luck Be a lady,” “The
Lady is a Tramp,” “New York, New York,” “Volare,”
“What Kind of Fool Am I?,” and “My Way” were
excellent.

Capsule judgment:  This isn’t a performance for
everyone. If you are into the music of the 50s and
60s, and are fans of Sinatra, Davis and Martin, then
you’ll enjoy ‘THE RAT PACK LIVE AT THE SANDS.” 
Otherwise, it might not be your thing. 

The show runs through May 20 at the Palace Theatre in
Playhouse Square.  For tickets call 216-241-6000,
800-766-6048 or go on line to www.playhousesquare.com.


Roy Berko's blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews from 2002 through 2007, as well as his consulting and publications information, can be found at http://royberko.info
      
Roy's theatre and dance reviews appear regularly on NeOHIOpal, an on-line source.   To subscribe to this free service via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.fredsternfeld.com/mailman/listinfo/neohiopal.  His reviews also appear on www.coolcleveland.com

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