A tribute to Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. with a live band in the Copa Room at Tuscany Suites & Casino, just off the Strip on East Flamingo Road.
The Rat Pack Is Back! recreates a night at the Sands around 1960, when Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. ruled the Strip. The show is set at the time the trio were also campaigning for John F. Kennedy. Three performers play the Chairman of the Board, Dino and Sammy, and a female lead joins them on stage.
Unlike many tribute shows, the music comes from a live band of about seven musicians with a horn section, upright bass and drums. The set is built from the standards you would expect, including "Fly Me to the Moon", "Volare" and "That's Amore".
The songs are only half the show. The rest is the banter, which is deliberately old-school. There are drinking jokes, a liquor cart on stage, ribbing between the three leads and the kind of off-colour humour the real Rat Pack were known for. The show itself warns that some of it is in questionable taste. It also touches on Sinatra and Martin's refusal to perform without Davis at a time of segregation. Front-row guests may get a handshake, a song directed at them or a part in the sketch.
The show plays in the Copa Room at Tuscany Suites & Casino, 255 East Flamingo Road, about a mile east of the Strip. It is a lounge-sized showroom, so you are close to the stage wherever you sit. Tuscany is a relaxed, low-key property with free parking, a welcome change from the Strip. It is about 10 minutes on foot from the back of Flamingo or a short taxi ride from the center Strip. Dinner packages pair the show with a meal at the hotel's Italian restaurant.
This is the right show if you came to Las Vegas partly for its history, or if you are travelling with parents or grandparents who grew up with these records. It is a poor choice for young children, because the humour is adult and the content is aimed at grown-ups. Performances are usually at 7:30pm on several nights a week, so check the calendar for your dates.
What to expect
The experience
A recreated 1960s Rat Pack night with three leads as Sinatra, Martin and Davis, a female co-star and a live band. Songs alternate with banter and sketches, much as in the original Sands shows.
Best time
Evening performances, ideally with a dinner package.
How long
About 90 minutes.
Tips
The setlist draws on the great American songbook standards associated with the trio, such as "Fly Me to the Moon", "Volare" and "That's Amore". It is played by a live band with horns rather than to backing tracks, which makes a real difference in a small room. The comedy is period-style: drinking gags, teasing and some risqué lines that the show itself warns may offend. It is affectionate rather than shocking, but it is not a family show. An intimate lounge-style showroom at Tuscany Suites & Casino. Every seat is close to the stage, and front-row guests can expect a little audience interaction. Drinks are available, and dinner packages with the hotel's Italian restaurant are offered. Tuscany Suites & Casino is at 255 E Flamingo Rd, about a mile east of the Strip. Parking is free and easy. A taxi or rideshare from the center Strip takes a few minutes, or you can walk from the Flamingo and Paris area in about 15 to 20 minutes. Book a dinner package at Tuscany for an easy old-Vegas evening without Strip prices or crowds. Ask for front tables if you want to be part of the act, or sit further back if you would rather just watch.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Fans of classic crooners, couples and anyone travelling with older family members.
- Families
- Aimed at adults and older family members who enjoy classic crooners; best for older children.
- Couples
- Book a dinner package at Tuscany for an easy old-Vegas date night.
- Pair with
- Wayne Newton's show at Flamingo makes a natural second classic-Vegas night.
- Time needed
- About 90 minutes.
Good questions
Where is The Rat Pack Is Back! performed?+
In the Copa Room at Tuscany Suites & Casino, 255 East Flamingo Road, about a mile east of the Strip. Parking at Tuscany is free.
Is the music live?+
Yes. The singers are backed by a live band of about seven musicians, including a horn section, upright bass and drums.
Is The Rat Pack Is Back! suitable for children?+
It is aimed at adults. The banter includes drinking jokes and some off-colour humour in the style of the original Rat Pack, so it is better for teens and up.
What time does the show start?+
Performances are usually at 7:30pm on several nights a week. Check the calendar for the exact dates you are in town.
Can I have dinner with the show?+
Yes. Dinner packages pair the show with a meal at Tuscany's Italian restaurant, which makes for an easy evening at one property.
