‘Rat Pack’ turns 25, then brakes; Hope Road delays a piece of its show
Over the past month “The Rat Pack is Back” has celebrated its 25th anniversary in Las Vegas, and, Bob Marley’s Hope Road has opened at Mandalay Bay.
One is a spirited celebration of unity, brotherhood and mind-altering substances. The other is Hope Road.
The two shows don’t seem to have a lot in common, culturally or musically. But they are adjusting their schedules (“Rat Pack” going dark for two weeks), offering discounts (20 percent for both), and delaying an announced component of its production (which is happening for Hope Road).
That’s amore
Indefatigable since it opened under then-producer David Cassidy in 1999, “The Rat Pack Is Back” also marked its 10th anniversary at the Copa Room at Tuscany Suites. But soon after that boffo performance, the show is taking a rare dark period from Aug. 17 to Sept. 8, and offering a 20 percent discount for all shows on its official ratpackisback.com website.
This is a rare move for producer Dick Feeney’s Golden-Era production. “Rat Pack” has been an Energizer Bunny among Vegas shows, surviving crisscrossing copyright infringement lawsuits in its early years, and keeping its crowd during a half-dozen venue relocations.
The show’s appeal is its consistency, and the commitment of co-stars Chris Jason as Frank, Drew Anthony as Dean and Kyle Diamond as Sammy. The jokes are delivered expertly — in Anthony’s hands, the antiquated line, “How did all these people get in my room?” (still draws in laughs). The tunes are classics, and Lon Bronson’s band is filled with A-plus players.
The show has effectively survived the deaths of every member of the Rat Pack, and most of their original fans. But it cruises because of its dinner-show value. Tickets are about $150 for dinner at the great Bistecca Italian Steakhouse, followed by the full stage show (and free parking for everyone at Tuscany).
The show is scaled sensibly, with comparatively low break-even ticket point in a 120-seat room.
Feeney is unflinching in the face of such challenges. During the anniversary show, he ticked off a list of fun facts about the production. Only “Mystere” at Treasure Island and “Tournament of Kings” at Excalibur have run longer, among current Las Vegas residency productions other than “Rat Pack.” The success is no fluke, making this dark period a concern for such a bellwether show.
Hope for the road
On the Strip, “Hope Road” has opened only one of its two walk-through experiences, “The Show.” This is an exciting, galvanizing concept, a winding tour of Marley’s reggae upbringing in Trench Town with a cast of 41, including many from Jamaica. Color-splashed sets include the Dance Hall entrance, a fun replica of Marley’s 1973 VW bus, a spirited 3D presentation with remixes of Marley’s music.
New groups start on the hour, moving from venue to venue, taking in the Marley spirit. Shows start at 5 p.m., with a $50 “summer discount” for premium tickets (down from $70).
You might remember, and we sure do, “Day Experience” was the complementary attraction. This was originally presented as a separate, music-driven show with “immersive digital and analog installations.” But “Day Experience” has not seen the light of day. Maybe it will open in the fall, or later, but we’re told it’ll come together.
Show reps say producers from FiveCurrents entertainment company, along withe Cedella and Ziggy Marley, are focusing on “The Show” at the moment. There is no official explanation otherwise as to the delay, but both were expected to open concurrently.
We love the Hope Road concept, sentiment, the cast, and investment in something truly unique to Las Vegas. The attraction took over a Vegas amenity that is on its way out — a buffet. Situated just off the casino floor, the reggae revival is a roll of the dice. The lyric “luck be a lady” might not be from Trench Town. But in today’s Las Vegas, it applies.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.