Florida Rep brings Rat Pack magic to life with laughs, music and style
Divine magic was in the air on opening night of “The Rat Pack Lounge” at Florida Repertory Theatre in downtown Fort Myers. As I crossed the parking lot, I took in the twinkling lights of Art Walk strung above the streets and the tune of an upbeat song mingled with the smells of sizzling street food.
That backdrop set the tone for a musical theater gem that pays homage to the legendary Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr. Even the audience exuded an urban, eclectic energy that mirrored the pulse of the street outside — swanky suits and the latest fashion trends you’d expect to see in a large city.
Few musicians conveyed the chemistry and camaraderie of the Rat Pack. Audiences of all ages are sure to be familiar with their music and intrigued by their suave and savvy performance styles. The cast of “The Rat Pack Lounge” (written by James Hindman and Ray Roderick with musical arrangements by John Glaudini) entertains and mesmerizes in their portrayals of the iconic crooners.
The ArtStage Studio Theatre, a black-box space surrounded by the audience on three sides, is transformed into a wood-paneled lounge with a full bar that brings patrons directly into the action. The walls are decorated with photos of musical and Hollywood stars of the 1950s, old records, a fading “Happy New Year” banner, and a neon sign upstage right proclaimed the establishment to be “The Rat Pack Lounge.” The band, providing elegant accompaniment throughout the show, sits behind frosted-glass windows lining the upstage area…