Published: April 22, 2009 11:54 pm      

‘Rat Pack Is Back’ goes beyond cool at the CAC

MORGANTOWN — The Rat Pack — Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop, Dean Martin and “the chairman of the board” Frank Sinatra — was the ultimate in cool and hip. In the 1960s, the four sang, bantered and joked their way on stages in Vegas and around the world.

The “swingin’ and swaggerin’ of old Las Vegas nightlife” is coming to Morgantown when “The Rat Pack is Back: The Tribute to Frank, Sammy, Joey and Dean” hits the West Virginia University Creative Arts Center stage. For one night only, become witness to the spectacular re-creation of a famous “Summit at the Sands” hotel show on Tuesday, April 28, at 7:30 p.m.

The show opens with the voice of the late Buddy Hackett as God, asking the team to return to the stage for one last performance. Hackett’s real-life son, Sandy Hackett, portrays Rat Pack comic Joey Bishop.

With a stellar cast of some of the finest performers in the business, The Rat Pack is Back has been hailed as the next best thing to seeing the legendary stars themselves. In this phenomenal Sandy Hackett production, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Joey Bishop and Dean Martin are summoned back to Earth by God for one more performance, backed by the sensational Tribute Orchestra. Featuring memorable hits like “All of Me,” “Fly Me to the Moon,” “Mr. Bojangles” and “That’s Amore,” The Rat Pack is Back transports you to the time when these four superstars commanded the Las Vegas nightlife.

With a stellar cast, “The Rat Pack is Back” has been hailed as the next best thing to seeing the legendary stars themselves. In this phenomenal production, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop and Dean Martin are summoned back to Earth by God for one final performance, backed by the sensational Tribute Orchestra.

Written and produced by Sandy Hackett, son of legendary comedian Buddy Hackett, “The Rat Pack is Back” boasts uncanny vocal recreations, unbridled humor and a hot, live big band that showcases the freewheeling, no-holds-barred nightclub act made famous by Vegas’ four favorite sons. Featuring memorable hits like “All of Me,” “Fly Me to the Moon,” “Mr. Bojangles” and “That’s Amore,” “The Rat Pack is Back” transports you back to the time when these four superstars commanded the Las Vegas nightlife. With sharp one-liners, cocktail camaraderie and songs that make your heart sing, this authentic performance is not to be missed.

Critics agree that “The Rat Pack is Back” is “truly a show you’ll remember.” The Las Vegas Sun writes, “This is as close as anyone has come to capturing the feeling of the real thing,” and the Chicago Tribune raves, “Excellent!”

Tickets range from $50 to $55, depending on seat location. Get yours while they last at the Mountainlair and Creative Arts Center box offices, ticketmaster.com and by phone at 800-745-3000. Tickets may also be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, including Giant Eagle on Greenbag Road and FYE in the Meadowbrook Mall. WVU Students may purchase tickets for $35 with a valid Mountaineer Card at the campus box offices.

The University Art Series is produced by WVU Arts and Entertainment. For more event information, call 304-293-SHOW or visit events.wvu.edu.