By Carol Davis
ESCONDIDO, California—Frank, Sammy, Dino, Joey; The Rat Pack! Those were the days, my friend; we thought they’d never end! Well, if you want another dose of ‘those days’, straight from the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas, you can catch a glimpse of what used to be called the ‘Golden Days of entertainment’, via the “Drinkin’, Singin’, Swingin” salute to the icons of the that industry back in the days when you could pronounce a star’s name and understand all the words to the tunes they sang and the gags they offered.
Laff Production’s has brought this show in complete with Bryan Clark as Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Pavone as Frank Sinatra and Rick Michel as Dean Martin with a warm up comedian by the name of David Gee. Along with the artists is a seven piece live band on stage that more enhances the overall look and sound of the production. (There is an alternating cast made up of Sebastian Anzaldo as Frank, Doug Starks as Sammy and Andy DiMino as Dean. I happened to catch Anzaldo in Vegas, again impersonating Sinatra in a show called “Barbara and Frank, The Concert That Never Was”. It was great fun.)
After an unimpressive warm up with Gee rattling off a series of jokes, some inappropriate, we finally meet, greet and get to hear all three performers, first singularly and then performing together. There is some audience participation and some impersonations by the impersonators. There is a little bit by Michel impersonating Rodney Dangerfield and John Wayne. Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles and Michael Jackson are done tongue in cheek by Clark.
A few of my favorites include Clark’s “Mr. Bo Jangles” and his impressions of Michael Jackson doing the Moon Walk. His “Birth Of The Blues” is exceptional. Pavone, looking a lot like a Sinatra look a like in his straw Fedora Hat, Mr. Easy sings his and my favorites, “Fly Me To The Moon”, “New York, New York”, “My Way”, “Lady Is A Tramp” and “Once In A Lifetime”.
Michel’s Dean Martin contributed “Memories Are Made Of This”, “That’s Amore” a few other medleys, a few references to their drinking more kibitzing and before we knew it was intermission. Souvenirs and other gadgets are on display and for sale in the lobby and for a small fee; you could have your picture taken with the Pack.
The three got a little more industrious after intermission and we really got to hear more. Not in any particular order, included in the afternoon program I saw (there are two shows that alternate on two different days so if you go two days in a row you will hear a different program) were “The Curtain Falls”, “Witchcraft”, “All The Way” “Volare”, “Too Close For Comfort”, “What kind Of Fool?” “Strangers In The Night” all done to perfection. The ‘program’ is at the producer’s discretion to change the song selections at any time. You might hear a completely different combination when you go.
There’s a case to be made for all three entertainers. Pavone’s Sinatra is as low key and natural as the Man himself appeared to be in his day. He is talented and is a perfect fit as one of the Rat Pack’s. His voice is mellow and smooth and impressive.
Bryan Clark is a mighty talented young man possessing many gifts not the least of which are his smooth dance like steps without actually dancing. His voice is nothing to ignore either. He too is easy and in some instances his look is surprisingly Davis like especially with the huge rings on about every finger and when he dons dark rimmed glasses. He is also a hoot as Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles and Michael Jackson
Michel is a charmer as well, putting on the slur of the Dean Martin trademark that he could easily let go of because his voice is appealing enough. He does know how to put a song over so get over the whole booze caper. It is a bit over done especially for an afternoon show and according to the comments coming from the restroom crowd. They usually have a good handle on things.
The orchestra with Dan Ellis (he is also on Piano) conducting is first rate. It includes Brace Phillips on Bass, Mike Mechem on Drums, Tommy Porrello as 1st Trumpet (He’s amazing), Mike Gurciullo, 2nd Trumpet, Fred Haller on Sax/Flute and Sam Cenuto on Trombone. Live music is a treat in an age where piped music has become part of the landscape and this group has a big band sound that is almost too loud for the auditorium of the Welk theatre.
Yes, those were the days and I remember them well. “Drinkin’, Singin’, Swingin” is a fine celebration of a time in an era long gone but not forgotten especially when we can look back at these legendary performers and be a part of their act even if it is an illusion on an afternoon outing.
See you at the theatre.
Dates: April 13 to April 24th @ 1 PM
Organization: Laff Productions Las Vegas, NV
Phone: 888-802-7469
Production Type: Musical Revue
Where: 8860 Lawrence Welk Drive, Escondido, CA 92026
Ticket Prices: Show only Wed-Sun $50.00, Dinner and show $65.00
Web: welkresorts.com
Venue: Welk Village Theatre
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Davis is a San Diego-based theatre critic. She may be contacted at carol.davis@sdjewishworld.com