The world jived to the tune of three entertainers who won over audiences with their cool musical stylings and playful stage demeanor.
During the 1960s, the Rat Pack – Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin brought fame and recognition to the city as both an entertainment capital and gambling destination during their run inside the Copa Room at the Sands.
It’s Frank Sinatra’s “Happy Birthday” show – just the way it was in 1960 at the Copa Room at the Sands. Today, audiences can relive the revelry and timeless music of the Rat Pack era in the show : “The Rat Pack is Back” at Harrah’s Casino & Resort , in Sammy’s Showroom, in Reno, Nevada- now through July 1st.
So now you can relive the days of the Rat Pack with Las Vegas’ most famous Entertainers and their live big band as they appeared live in the Sands Hotel Copa Room. The only Vegas based show with national touring companies and an award from the “Congress of the United States”. Now in its eighteenth smash year with over 6000 performances in over 40 states, 4 foreign countries and over two million tickets.
“What happens in Vegas all started with the Rat Pack,” said the show’s producer Dick Feeney. “The real legend of Vegas – the cool cats, the drinking, the partying, the gambling, they epitomized it, and people still look at those days with fond memories.”
Video clips of vintage Vegas play on screens hanging on both sides of the stage, reminding everyone of where the city’s reputation as a glitzy and glamorous destination started.
The curtain opens and the 7-piece orchestra gets the audience going with some toe-tapping music before performers portraying all the members of the Rat Pack enter the stage. They sing and dance, conveying all of the charisma and camaraderie of the real entertainers.
Dean takes center stage with drink in hand and fittingly sings, “Volare.” His smooth voice and casual stage presence convey all the essence of the real performer. He pauses between songs for some playful joking with the audience.
“I’m on the whiskey diet,” says Dean, “in one week I lost four days.” Everyone laughs before he gets back to singing the Italian love song “That’s Amore” where he invites the audience to join in.
Sammy Davis Jr. joins him on stage to sing “That Old Black Magic” and “Candy Man.”
Just like the real Rat Pack, you never know who is going to come out on stage next. Sometimes the performers interrupt one another for some good old fashioned ribbing.
Frank, Sammy, and Dean reunite on stage to belt out a few more classics including: “Luck Be a Lady,” “Lady is a Tramp,” “You Make Me Feel So Young,” “Chicago,” “Fly Me To The Moon,” “Your Nobody Till Somebody Loves You,” and “New York, New York.” These three cool cats really know how to have a good time. By the end of the show you will too.
Chris Jason, who pays tribute to Frank Sinatra, has been a professional musician for over 20 years. Since the age of 6, Chris has been infatuated with the Great American Song Book and the most influential vocalist of the 20th century, Francis Albert Sinatra. Chris has studied the music of Sinatra for years and has a passion for the lyric and a fine respect for the music itself. Every performance is kissed with the essence of Sinatra, every lyric sung with a passion for the music, phrasing, tone and timber felt with every note sung, some even say his natural speaking voice on stage takes you back to the days of the “Chairman of the Board” at the Copa Room at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas. Chris achieved international status after having performed with a full 40 piece orchestra conducted by internationally acclaimed symphonic conductor Boris Brott along with an array of world class musicians that make up the National Academy Orchestra of Canada. There are many that impersonate, but Chris is an absolute natural with his ability to capture every nuance, manerism and spirit of the man that will always be revered as the greatest vocalist of the 20th century. Chris is the newest member and delighted to join the cast of “The Rat Pack is Back”.
Kenny Jones, appearing as Sammy Davis Jr. grew up in Kansas and began performing at the age of 12 in gospel ensembles. He joined an R&B band called Groove City and began touring the United States and performing from coast to coast. His amazing singing ability, stage persona and dance talents make him a natural in the role of Sammy Davis Jr. In this show, Kenny Jones pays true homage to one of his life long idols, Mr. Showmanship…. Sammy Davis Jr.
Drew Anthony appearing as Dean Martin, received his B.F.A. from the Mannes College of Music Jazz Division in New York City, he has established himself as one of the finest jazz singers in the Tri-State area. He has produced shows that have been successful on many stages ranging from the Shubert Theater, the Intermezzo Night Club in the Foxwoods Resort & Casino and the OpSail CT Tall Ship Event. He has recorded three CDs live, the first of which is entitled “You don’t know me”, which includes blues pianist Junior Mance on the title song.
He has the first CD of his continuing series “On The Road” completed which has been seen on local television stations throughout the state of Connecticut. His musical show “The American Standards” was a hit at the famed Danny’s Skylight Room Cabaret in N.Y.C. He has concertized at the Jazz Spot in New York City, Yale University’s Sprague Memorial Hall and the famous Shubert Theater. Drew Anthony’s vocal quality and sense of rhythm have been recognized by many big bands in the state of C.T., he has made special appearances with the Pat Dorn Orchestra in the Wolf Den at the Mohegan Sun Casino and many outdoor concerts with the Sounds of Swing Jazz Orchestra. Drew Anthony enjoyed singing with the big bands so much he created his own big band known as the “Drew Anthony Orchestra”. The Drew Anthony Orchestra made it’s debut in the concert entitled “Come Fly With Me”. Drew Anthony’s vocal delivery combined with his swinging orchestra, made it difficult for the audience to decide between watching, listening or dancing. He has studied jazz voice with internationally known jazz recording artists Sheila Jordan, Jackie Paris, and classically with Munich’s Bavarian State Opera tenor, John Kuhn.
