When Dino walked the Earth
FRANK SINATRA, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. embodied a tuxedo-clad, Vitalis-smoothed, bourbon-soaked sense of style that, four decades later, continues to fascinate Americans old and young. What’s more, those guys really knew their way around a tune. The lushly sung, richly orchestrated recordings they left behind remain a vital part of the nation’s soundtrack.
All of which explains the built-in interest of “Direct From Vegas
They launch the show with a joint rendition of “Luck Be a Lady,” trading off verses while a horn-heavy 12-man band blasts a sound as hot as desert air.
The setting, of course, is the pack’s performance hangout: the Sands. The onstage backdrop is more suggestive than specific, however, with photos of Frank, Dean and Sammy framing a collage of period Vegas images.
Evoking a typical night in the hotel’s Copa Room, the performers swap songs and pepper one another with slightly risque, boys-will-be-boys gibes and jokes. (Neither Peter Lawford nor Joey Bishop makes an appearance, so the big three have the stage to themselves.)
Apple simulates Martin’s smooth croon of a voice in such signature numbers as “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head?,” and Corsello, in such tunes as “Come Fly With Me,” captures Sinatra’s focused, resonant sound along with his ability to make lyrics sound breezily conversational yet richly dramatic.
As for Fields ... well, he effectively captures Davis’ dynamism -- the ability to make his voice dance and his feet sing. At Sunday’s matinee, though, he overshot a number of pitches, eliciting shivers of something other than delight.
Between songs, Davis is the recipient of much ribbing. His sexuality is challenged, his height mocked. (In one famous gag, he’s given a milkmaid stool to sit on while Martin and Sinatra get grown-up models.) But, hey, that’s what passed for humor among these quipsters.
Fortunately, come what may, the band, led by trumpeter Scott Strecker, keeps the music swinging, jumping and cha-cha-ing -- providing the big sound that made the era so enjoyable to listen to.
Audiences entering this time machine are likely to come away entertained and satisfied. But let’s be honest: This is a kitschy, plastic, take-home-souvenir of the past. Nowadays, Las Vegas is hijacking the hot new musicals, like “Avenue Q” and “Spamalot.” Let’s hope that doesn’t leave Los Angeles having to reheat what was sizzling half a lifetime ago.
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‘Direct From Vegas ... The Rat Pack’
Where: Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, Manhattan Beach Boulevard at Aviation Boulevard, Redondo Beach
When: 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays.
Ends: Feb. 26
Price: $37.50 to $57.50
Info: (310) 372-4477 or www.CivicLightOpera.com
Running time: 2 hours, 18 minutes
