Review: 'The Rat Pack Lounge' at CT Cabaret Theatre

Pictured above: The cast of THE RAT PACK (from left) Kristin Iovene, Jonathan Escobar, Nick D'Angelo, Jayson Beaulieu, and Rick Bennett Photo by Stu Clark

Berlin, CT - The Connecticut Cabaret Theatre opened “The Heaven-Sent Swingin’ New Musical” THE RAT PACK LOUNGE on Friday evening to a respectable crowd. THE RAT PACK LOUNGE was written by James Hindman and Ray Roderick with musical arrangements by John Glaudini. CT Cabaret Theatre’s Artistic Director Kris McMurray mentioned during his curtain speech that many of the remaining shows have already sold out and that James Hindman, one of the show’s authors, plans to attend one of the upcoming performances. Mr. McMurray directed and produced the show and Nathaniel Baker served as the animated musical director/piano player.

The jukebox musical (formerly titled HEAVEN HELP US!) incorporates three members of the infamous Rat Pack: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr. The three are reportedly up in Heaven until God informs them that they have left some unfinished heavenly business on earth. Apparently Mr. Sinatra once made an unfulfilled promise to Vic, the owner of a Las Vegas establishment named, you guessed it THE RAT PACK LOUNGE. On New Year’s Eve in 1998, the divine “Chairman of the Board” gives him and the other Rat Packers just one night to make it right in the bodies of three unsuspecting patrons of the bar.

The show has been described as IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE meets OCEAN’S ELEVEN and I certainly saw that. The reference to DAMN YANKEES came after it had already occurred to this reviewer. Mr. McMurray took advantage of the option to present the musical in two acts. So the first act really covers the plot of what the director called a musical comedy, with the second act essentially a divine concert presented in the newly renovated lounge. It seemed a bit slow moving at some points, but this was probably more as a result of how warm the venue became on this humid evening. The actors must have been even warmer under the stage lights, especially in their tuxedos, but they persevered.

The authors do not require the show to be cast with look-alikes or impersonators and CCT heeds that advice. The cast is composed of talented performers who charmed the audience with strong performances of hits like “My Way,” “What Kind of Fool Am I?” “Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime” The five cast members perform a total of over 30 classic songs from the Rat Pack era. There was definitely some tight harmonies performed by the singers and a bit of dancing choreographed by Technical Director James J. Moran.

Rick Bennett (THE UNDERPANTS at CCT) stepped into the roles of Bobby Goldberg the bartender and Sammy Davis. Because the actor is a tall Caucasian man, he had to work very hard to remind the audience exactly which member of the Rat Pack he was. He employed his wonderful singing voice to do just that. Mr. Bennett also was charged with a slew of impersonations during his section of the second act; this was probably my favorite part of his performance, especially when he embodied some female icons.

Jayson Beaulieu smoothly stepped into his roles of real estate agent William Saunders and Frank Sinatra. With a fedora hat pulled low over one eye, Mr. Saunders channeled the Chairman of the Board without looking at all like him, but sounding remarkably like that classic singing voice. He truly charmed the audience with his excellent performance.

Jonathan Escobar (THE ADDAMS FAMILY, THE FANTASTICKS) has been working with CCT for an amazing ten years, so I was excited to see that he was a member of this cast. He took on the roles of Jorge Rodrigues and the boozy Dean Martin. Of course, he was effective as the Spanish-speaking limo driver and he made it look easy to become the body that Dean chooses to inhabit. While I often caught myself watching this actor during group scenes, my companion and I both came away wishing that the role had given him more to do on the stage.

A very human Vic, the owner of the lounge, was played most effectively by Nick D’Angelo. He is such a talented singer that he managed to convincingly sing badly before he was tutored by the three pros; the rest of his vocal performance as the earnest human who is struggling with life as flawless and he displayed such a wonderful stage presence that I hope to see this wonderful actor again onstage.

The lone actress on this stage was Kristin Iovene (THE QUEEN BEES) as Mr. Saunders assistant Katherine and an angel named Angie, not to be confused with Angie Dickinson. In a role that reminded me of Lola in DAMN YANKEES, Ms. Iovene did a great job of holding her own among all of the gentlemen on the stage and owned all of the costume changes.

There were a few tiny sound issues that did not really interfere with enjoying every line and lyric. The set for the first act designed by Mr. Moran was an homage to the Rat Pack featuring lots of memorabilia that during the intermission was transformed into a glittery Las Vegas lounge in pinks and purples that set the mood for the second half. The costumes and wig for Ms. Iovene were Vegas appropriate and everything was nicely lit. The band dubbed “Tommy and the Gang” included Mr. Baker on upright piano, Jordan Brint on upright bass and Tim Urso setting the beat on percussion, and they were well lit as needed. The trio did well with the various musical numbers.

The Rat Pack Lounge runs every Friday and Saturday at 8:00 pm from October 5th thru November 3rd, 2018 Doors open at 7:15 pm so bring along some food and drink to enjoy before and during the performance. Tickets are now on sale. ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS are accepted. To purchase tickets, please call the box office at 860-829-1248. Reservations are recommended. Ticket price $34.00.

Nancy Sasso Janis Photo by J. Timothy Quirk

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and on Twitter @nancysjanis417. Be sure to check out the NEW Connecticut Critics Circle Facebook page.