"The Rat Pack is Back!" was a time warp Wednesday night, back to the swingin' '60s when "The Rat Pack" dominated entertainment on the Vegas strip. The show was a part of Emens Auditorium's 08-09 Artist Series.
The group originated when its members collaborated on the set of "Ocean's Eleven." No, not the one starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt, the 1960s version that originally made stealing from casinos look sexy.
Just a bunch of talented guys looking for a way to have some fun after a long day of filming, "The Rat Pack" quickly turned into a world renowned "must see."
The leader of the pack, Frank Sinatra, and arguably the most famous of the group, was known for his music of 1950s and '60s. Then there was Dean Martin, or "Dino," famous for his songs like "That's Amore" and "Ain't That a Kick in the Head." Sammy Davis Jr., a multi-entertainer, was a dancer, a singer and a comedian. Joey Bishop, who was best known for his membership of "The Rat Pack", was a comedian who often appeared on talk and game shows.
In "The Rat Pack is Back!" God, played by the voice of the late comedian Buddy Hackett, called upon these cool cats to perform "Vegas style" one last time to please the praying fans. The lights dim, and one by one "The Rat Pack" comes back. With their tasteful tuxedos and cigarettes in hand, they appear on stage singing and dancing while hugging each other, happy to be together again.
Joey Bishop, played by Sandy Hackett, coincidentally the son of Buddy Hackett, was first up with his comedy skit. I wasn't sure what to expect because Joey Bishop was the only name I didn't recognize when I first heard of "The Rat Pack," but with his wisecracks and quick jokes, Bishop - I mean Sandy Hackett - was hands down the most entertaining of the evening.
Johnny Edwards, a master Dean Martin impersonator, took to the stage with his Rico Suave attitude. Edwards had the crowd singing along, cheering at the start of "That's Amore" and tapping their feet to the beat. He wasn't on for long before jazz vocalist, Kenny Jones, aka Sammy Davis Jr., took to the stage. After wowing the audience with his flashy dance moves and spontaneous drum solo, Edwards was brought back for a duet.
During Jones' last number, "Mr. Bojangles," I found myself getting antsy to see the legendary Frank Sinatra, or Brian Duprey's version of Sinatra. Unfortunately, I wasn't much more entertained than when I listen to Sinatra via YouTube, which happens more often than I am willing to admit. Duprey started in on Sinatra's infamous love songs, and it made me want to hold someone's hand; Maybe I could have gotten away with holding the hand of the 60-something-year-old lady sleeping beside me. But anyone who fell asleep was quickly interrupted once the music grew louder as all four members of "The Rat Pack" came together to sing "Luck Be a Lady."
While "The Rat Pack is Back!" gang is no original "Rat Pack," the characters were successful in transforming Emens Auditorium into a '60s Vegas venue - if only for an hour and a half.
Irem Tunc is a senior photojournalism major and writes "Behind The Lens" for the Daily News. Her views do not necessarily agree with those of the newspaper.
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