Contact: Steve Levesque, Chrissy Sutphin
LUCK Media & Marketing, Inc. (818) 232-4175 ^[1]
info@luckmedia.com ^[2], www.luckmedia.com ^[3]

Fresh off their successful engagement at the Cobb Energy Centre for the Performing Arts in Atlanta March 14-17, ”Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack” once again proves the Kings of Cool are surely on fire this 2012-2013 U.S. theatre season, racking up rave reviews with every performance.

Robert J. Heller of the Atlanta Cultural Arts Review ^[4] said, “How could you not really dig this one? Buddy Hackett’s son, Sandy, has brought the Rat Pack back to life with his wife, Lisa Dawn Miller, who is the daughter of songwriter Ron Miller. And it is a sterling tribute to their energy and creativity as well as to the talents of the original members of that Pack.”

Dr. Wilson Trivino of The Backstage Beat ^[5] praised, “On this night the theatre had the buzz.” He continues, “To an adoring audience, the Rat Pack, started the show with “Hello Again.” It was surreal to see them on stage. You really felt like the boys were back in town… Sandy Hackett, the son of legendary Buddy Hackett, performed as the comic of the quartet, Joey Bishop. He had the crowd rolling in the aisles.”

“An all ages show that is sure to go on for many years to come,” adds Trivino.

Andrew Snook of the Atlanta Examiner ^[6] writes: “Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show is not an impersonation show although the actors have the mannerisms of the icons they portray down pat. It is a tribute that pays homage to the Rat Pack, the era from which they came, the music they played and the smoke-filled lounges they performed on; all recreated with genuine affection and respect for the artists they are portraying…”

He continues, “Sammy Davis Jr. finished the first half of the show with an original song written by Ron Miller, one of recent times most renowned songwriters and father of Lisa Dawn Miller, star and producer of the show. After the interval Frank Sinatra did several numbers including another Ron Miller song in duet with Lisa Dawn Miller, “Wasn’t I A Good Time?” whose refrain looks to examine lost love with regret; brilliantly sung by Frank and Frank’s One Love.”

Melissa Ruggieri of Access Atlanta ^[7] says, there is a timeless quality to the music, the look and, most importantly, the attitude projected by the foursome – and all three are conveyed with a wink, a nod and a lot of vocal prowess in “Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show.”

She continues, “…an 11-piece band played as the core four – creator Sandy Hackett as Bishop, Tom Wallek as Martin, Dezmond Meeks as Davis Jr. and Danny Grewen as Sinatra – smoothly whirled through two acts of classic songs, some soft-shoe dancing… some truly funny jokes (mostly by the multi-accented Hackett).”

She adds, “It was impossible not to be impressed by Meeks’ terrific range as he crooned “That Old Black Magic” and “Will I Still Be Me?”, an original song written by Ron Miller, father of Lisa Dawn Miller.”

“Danny Grewen, meanwhile, imbued Sinatra with a perfect level of chilliness. A medley of Sinatra songs (“Come Fly with Me,” “The Best is Yet to Come,” “Fly Me to the Moon” among them) was delivered with ease and style. The audience caught a glimpse of Sinatra’s wistful side when Lisa Dawn Miller came out to belt “Wasn’t I A Good Time,” also written by her father, in her soaring voice.”

Rick Limpert of Examiner.com ^[8] praised, “What you will see is a critically acclaimed, impressive and entertaining theatrical production which includes exciting new arrangements of classic Rat Pack songs everyone knows and loves. As a bonus, audiences will also be treated to original, never-before-heard songs written by the late, legendary songwriter, Ron Miller.”

He continues, “The ‘Rat Pack’ really is back with this great production!”

Before traveling to Atlanta, “Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show” performed several shows in Florida including the Barbara B. Mann Hall in Fort Myers on March 1 where Tony Bennett performed Ron Miller’s legendary song, “For Once In My Life” the evening prior and received a rousing standing ovation.

Additional performances for the 2012-2013 Off-Broadway National Theatre Season Tour can be found online at www.sandyhackettsratpack.com ^[9].

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