Part of the entertainment scene in Las Vegas is the tribute show to either to an artist or band.  A good tribute show is not about a group of impersonators singing but rather capturing the essence of the era and the taking the audience back in time.  The Rat Pack is Back at the Plaza Hotel’s Copa Room is one of the best at transforming the showroom to the early 1960s when Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dean Martin and Joey Bishop caroused and entertained in Las Vegas. Whether you actually remember the 1960s or just experience the 1960s by watching movies, it is one of the most definitive periods in Las Vegas history that influenced the entire world.

 

The creative team includes Sandy Hackett, Dick Feeney, Ben Lokey, Lon Bronson, and DonLee Cardejon with the late Buddy Hackett (yes, Sandy Hackett’s father) as the Voice of God.  The cast includes Sandy Hackett as Joey Bishop, Brian Duprey as Frank Sinatra,  Kenny Jones as Sammy Davis Jr., and  Johnny Edwards as Dean Martin. The very luscious Stacey Nicole is Marilyn Monroe, also part of the show, and while she was not an “official” member of the Rat Pack, she was very much a part of their lives during this period.

 

There is VIP seating which includes dinner in the showroom before the show, another aspect of Las Vegas so important in the 1960s that has almost disappeared today.  The food is outstanding with a choice of steak, chicken or pasta.

 

Another wonderful part of the show is the live 12-piece orchestra on stage, all fine musicians who can compliment the three singers of “Frank,” “Dean” and “Sammy” as well as Marilyn with her infamous “Happy Birthday.” 

 

"We've modernized it a little bit," Hackett said. "They picked on Sammy quite a bit, which was fine with Sammy, but they did it in a racial tone that then they got away with it, while today you don't."

 

Hits from the entire careers of the Rat Pack, such as Davis' "Mr. Bojangles," Martin’s “That’s Amore” and Sinatra’s “That’s Life,” are included as well as updated jokes.

 

Still, the infamous drink cart included in the original show is rolled out with the cast “drinking,” joking, dancing, and singing while keeping the show in high gear.  The audience, no matter their age, is transported into the past both physically and emotionally.  All of the performers are spotlighted individually as well as the re-creation of their spontaneous and improvised performance together on stage at the Sands Copa Room.

 

The Rat Pack performed their first show together in Las Vegas in 1960 while they were filming the movie, “Ocean's 11.” The group had toured the country with their act, but it was in Las Vegas where they given the Rat Pack moniker, much to Sinatra's chagrin.

 

The Summit is what Sinatra preferred to call the bunch. "He did not like that name, the Rat Pack," Hackett said. "In fact, they were the second generation Rat Pack.” The very original Rat Pack was in Hollywood in the 1950s and included actor Humphrey Bogart.  Hackett explained, “The truth of the matter is Sinatra did not embrace the name."

 

Still, Sinatra, Martin, Bishop and Davis loved being together as a group.  The show was lovingly created by Hackett, who was especially close to Joey Bishop, as a tribute to his favorite comedian and a very special time in their lives.

 

According to Karl about show’s premise, "This is one night in the life of these five extraordinary human beings. We allow them to breathe onstage.”  Enjoy the moment with The Rat Pack is Back.

 

Show times

Monday – Friday 7:30 p.m.

Saturday at 7:30 and 10:00 p.m.

Dark Sunday,

Dinner Seating at 6:00 p.m.

 

The Rat Pack is Back

Performing in the new Copa Room at the Plaza Hotel & Casino

Number One Main Street

Las Vegas, NV 89101

http://ratpackvegas.com

(702) 386-2444

Tickets start at $49.99 plus tax

Dinner, Booth and VIP packages Available