The Rat Pack members were a piece of the cultural fabric in the late 1950s and early ’60s.
They were suave.
They were charismatic.
They were funny.
And they created a legacy that lasts today.
Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. were known as the leaders of the pack, but it also included Peter Lawford, Joey Bishop and later Bing Crosby. Throughout the group’s lifespan, other members also came and went.
Nanaimo residents can head back to that golden era of music and comedy during the upcoming show The Rat Pack: Direct from Vegas, presented by CKM Productions, at the Port Theatre on May 20 at 7:30 p.m.
Attendees can expect comedy, singing and storytelling at the event.
The Nanaimo show also features the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas showgirls.
“The showgirls are beautiful and professional. They are Vegas,” said Melanie Ehrlich, marketing director for CKM Productions.
She said the addition of showgirls, into the Rat Pack tribute act, is something that many people comment on.
Christian Tannis, producer of the Rat Pack, said the show offers a release from reality.
Ehrlich and Tannis are siblings.
“We grew up listening to that kind of music,” said Tannis.
He said the family watched all the movies and sang all the songs the Rat Pack members made popular.
“We’ve always been a musical family. It’s in our blood, I guess,” said Ehrlich.
The two grew up in north Burnaby with eight other siblings. Ehrlich pursued a career in media and Tannis went on to manage stage productions and choreograph tribute shows in Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Cincinnati and other cities.
Ehrlich said the company plans to bring more of these sort of acts to Vancouver Island in the future including tributes to Tom Jones, Michael Jackson and others. The company hopes to visit Nanaimo on those tours.
“We want to continue bringing the train rolling through the Island with other shows we want to do,” said Ehrlich.
The Rat Pack: Direct from Vegas shows May 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the Port Theatre. Tickets are $49 and are available by calling 250-754-8550 or www.porttheatre.com.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com