Andy Howells checks out the magic of Frank, Dean and Sammy recreated at Newport’s Riverfront Theatre.
Anyone who attended Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin’s and Sammy Davis Jr’s concerts at The Sands Hotel, Vegas in the early 1960s obviously took away the memories of a lifetime afterwards. Its probably fair to say that anyone who attended the sell-out tribute Rat Pack Vegas Spectacular in Newport on Saturday evening probably did the same.
The 8-strong Rat Pack Orchestra under the direction of Drummer, Chris Draper and featuring Al Terry on Piano kicked off with a rousing rendition of Ain’t That a Kick in the Head performed by Patrick Kennedy as Dean Martin.
Next up was Patrick Kumah as Sammy Davis Jr, who made a startling entrance through the auditorium performing My Shining Hour before launching into the classic Mr Bojangles.
The show was already in full swing when King of the Rat Packers, Roman Marek as a Songs for Swinging Lover’s era Frank Sinatra made his entrance complete with trademark hat and spats with a rendition of Come Fly with Me.
Accompanied by two wonderful dancers’ Jenny and Sarah who made a variety of costume changes throughout the evening, the trio delivered many Rat Pack standards and a personal tribute to Newport – a lyrically adjusted version of My Kind of Town.
Concluding with Sinatra’s New York New York , The Rat Pack Vegas Spectacular was a neat tribute to three of the Greatest Performers from the 20th Century and judging by the audience response, a magical evening for all who attended.