David Cassidy on the Web
Can 'Rat Pack' substantiate its asking price?
July 22, 1999
By Joe Delaney
www.lasvegassun.com
Making the rounds: Last Thursday, it was "The Rat Pack Is Back," in a lounge that is now called simply The Starlight at the Desert Inn. ... We had to miss Wednesday's press night. ... Thursday's show was "Invitation only." ... Audiences such as this are not the norm. ... This is a similar situation to "Night Madness" (San Remo) a night earlier when visiting basketball players and a principal's friends predominated.
David Cassidy, fresh from starring in "EFX" (MGM Grand), and successful television producer-writer Don Reo, share the executive producer chores. ... Dionne Kirschner, with good TV credits, is the producer.
The story line: The date is Dec. 12, 1961, Frank Sinatra's 46th birthday. ... Sinatra would like to keep this quiet but his Sands buddies, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Joey Bishop, have decided to surprise the Chairman of the Board with an onstage birthday party.
The cast
Hiram Kaston, as Joey Bishop, made his vintage laugh lines work. ... With a regular paying audience, he would be more effective at 15 minutes, half the time, no audience banter. ... Bobby Caldwell had the mannerisms and musical timing as Sinatra, singing "Come Fly With Me," "I Get A Kick Out Of You" and "Luck, Be A Lady Tonight."
As Caldwell started a saloon song, he was interrupted by Steve Apple, an engaging performer, as Dean Martin. ... After some banter Martin presented Sinatra with candy as a birthday gift. ... Candy, a comely blonde, went off with Frank, allowing Dean to sing his signature songs.
Tony Tillman (Sammy Davis Jr.) came to Las Vegas opening for Bill Cosby and has been a successful lounge act for years. ... He is an effective, sometimes over-the-top Sammy. ... His birthday gift was Brandy, Candy's twin sister, the other two depart. ... Tillman would be more effective, less intensive, especially on "Bojangles."
The conclusion
Frank and Dean return to heckle Sammy until Joey Bishop wheels out the booze cart for jokes and toasts. ... The songs that follow are Rat Pack classics. ... That night there was an impromptu Bobby Darin by David Cassidy that nearly stopped the show. ... The "Birth of the Blues" closer is ideal. ... The Lon Bronson 12-piece orchestra, developed at the Riviera, deserves co-star or, at least, "extra-added attraction" billing.
My concern was the same as it was for "Night Madness" in last Friday's Sun critique. ... The D.I. tickets are $30; cocktails, tax and gratuity extra, which means a two-drink evening would cost more than $40 a person. ... Night Madness" has a $29.95 tab which includes tax, gratuity and two drinks. ...Both prices seem high for shows as yet unproven.
