These guys were great, and not only the guys who played Dino, Frank, and Sammy. The entire staff, from the greeter to the office staff, to the bartender were helpful, friendly, and clearly into the mood of the show. We were made to feel welcome from the moment we walked in the door of the place and things only got better as the night progressed.
The voices of Dino, Frank, and Sammy were so good that one could have closed one’s eyes and thought one was in the audience in the Sands in 1960. And, while it’s nearly impossible to find actors who both look and sound the part of the Rat Pack, the Dino character made one do a double take; I thought I really was back in 1960 for a minute. And all three actors/singers had the mannerisms down pat.
The music was terrific. When one is dealing with the Rat Pack, one has a vast repertoire of songs from which to select, and these guys chose the best. They had the whole place swinging. That the band was indescribably terrific deserves much of the credit for this, of course. In an age when live acts rely on synthesizers and other cheap short-cuts, the Rat Pack is Back has a full band full of young, talented musicians who know their instruments and obviously have a profound appreciation for the music, and the atmosphere, of the era.
Not only was the music great, but the interactions of the performers and the audience was the element of the show that really made it special. We were able to sit right up front and so felt like we were part of the show, but I also got the impression that those audience members who didn’t want to be as involved with the show were left alone; the guys seemed to have a great sense of their audience.
Finally, while I immediately noticed the absence of Joey and Peter, I can’t say I was dismayed, and any faint sense of disappointment I may have had at their absence dissipated about thirty seconds into the show.
This was not the first Rat Pack tribute show I have seen, but it was clearly the best. It has long been said that one has to go “off Strip” to see the best shows in Vegas, and this show is clearly evidence of the truth of that advice.