THE RAT PACK IS BACK Comes To The Shubert Theater 2/27-3/1

THE RAT PACK IS BACK!, a tribute to the talented stars of the 1960s known as "The Rat Pack," is coming to the Shubert Theater in New Haven for a limited engagement, February 27 - March 1, 2009. The four performances, running Friday thru Sunday, are sponsored by the Lexus of New Haven, Bank of American and media sponsors WTNH News Channel 8 and WEBE Radio. Written and produced by Sandy Hackett, son of legendary comedian Buddy Hackett, THE RAT PACK IS BACK! features uncanny vocal re-creations, unbridled humor, and a hot, live big band that sends audiences straight back to the coolest time in history. Tickets are now available online at www.shubert.com, by phone at 800-228-6622 and at the Shubert Box Office.

The spirited performance re-creates the ritz and allure of classic Las Vegas. THE RAT PACK IS BACK! transports the audience back to a balmy 1960s Vegas night when four show business legends - Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin and Joey Bishop - converged for the first time in one of their famous "Summit at the Sands" hotel shows. THE RAT PACK IS BACK! unites an accomplished group of actors from the Las Vegas circuit - stage actor Brian DuPrey plays the legendary Frank Sinatra, acclaimed jazz vocalist Kenny Jones plays Sammy Davis, Jr., Johnny Edwards, a master impersonator, brings the role of Dean Martin to life, and comedian, actor and impressionist Tom Wallek plays Joey Bishop.

In THE RAT PACK IS BACK!, the voice of God (actually a recording of the late Buddy Hackett) urges Frank, Sammy, Joey and Dean to go back and do it "just one more time." What ensues is an uncanny re-creation of one of the Rat Pack's raucous, antic-filled performances, featuring Bishop's hilarious comedy and performances of such standards as Sinatra's "You Make Me Feel So Young," "A Foggy Day," "One For My Baby" and "All Of Me," Martin's "That's Amoré" and Davis' "Mr. Bojangles." Backing the singers is a swinging 12-piece live orchestra performing period-perfect orchestrations. 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!

Sandy Hackett is the writer and producer of THE RAT PACK IS BACK! Even at a young age, Hackett was inspired to enter his father's world of comedy and worked hard to realize his dreams of success in show business. Making his performance debut at the tender age of 11, Hackett has entertained audiences with his talents for over three decades.

"THE RAT PACK IS BACK! re-creates what one of those nights at the Sands might have been like while also showcasing a few of the Rat Pack's biggest hits from later in their careers," says Hackett. "The actors in the show have spent countless hours diligently studying the people they portray."

THE RAT PACK IS BACK! is co-produced by Dick Feeney (Viva Las Vegas, Showgirls, The Great Gleason) and is directed and choreographed by Ben Lockey (A Chorus Line, Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Bank, Staying Alive.)

DATE: February 27 - March 1, 2009
LOCATION: Shubert Theater, 247 College Street, New Haven, CT

SCHEDULE: Friday 8:00pm
Saturday 2:00 & 8:00pm
Sunday 2:00pm
TICKET PRICES: $15 - $68
FOR TICKETS: online at shubert.com or call 800-228-6622
Visit the Shubert Box Office
Mondays-Fridays 9:30 am - 5:30 pm, Saturdays 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
For Group Sales, call the Shubert Box Office at 203-562-5666 or 888-736-2663