Sandy Hackett's RAT PACK SHOW Kicks Off National Tour at Marines' Memorial 4/15

Direct from Las Vegas, Sandy Hackett's Rat Pack Show kicks off its National Tour at San Francisco's Marines Memorial Theatre (609 Sutter St., 2nd floor) for a limited engagement beginning Thursday, April 15, 2010. Opening night is set for Saturday, April 17 at 8 p.m.

Marking a half century since the original Rat Pack's legendary Las Vegas performances at the Sands Hotel, Sandy Hackett's Rat Pack Show takes audiences on a journey back to the days of highballs, hi-jinks and happy hour with Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Joey Bishop and Dean Martin. Produced by Sandy Hackett - son of the late, great comedian and actor Buddy Hackett - and Lisa Dawn Miller - daughter of legendary songwriter Ron Miller - Sandy Hackett's Rat Pack Show features the classic songs everyone knows and loves such as "For Once in My Life," "My Way," "Mack the Knife," plus original, never-before-heard songs written by the late Miller. 

Directed by Billy Karl, Sandy Hackett's Rat Pack Show stars Sandy Hackett as Joey Bishop, David DeCosta as Frank Sinatra, Doug Starks as Sammy Davis, Jr., Tony Basile as Dean Martin and Lisa Dawn Miller as Frank's One Love. Buddy Hackett himself is the voice of God, thanks to a voiceover recorded before his passing in 2003. Music Maestro Christopher Hardin leads the show's fine tuned orchestra, conducted by Joseph Spraker. Technical Director Mark Matson and Art Director Jeanne Quinn round out the artistic team.

Sandy Hackett's Rat Pack Show will play San Francisco's Marines' Memorial Theatre (609 Sutter St., 2nd floor) Thursday, April 15 through May 23, 2010. Opening night is set for Saturday, April 17th at 8 p.m. The performance schedule is: Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 & 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets range in price from $49 - $89 and are available now at the Marines Memorial Theatre box office, by phone at 415-771-6900 and on the web at www.marinesmemorialtheatre.com. Reduced-price previews performances (April 15 & 16 at 8 p.m. and April 17 at 2 p.m.) are $39 for all seats. Special pricing is available as part of the Marines Memorial Theatre's "Under 30 Thursdays," featuring $30 tickets for patrons age 30. Youth tickets (ages 13 -18) are $19 and available for all performances, except Saturday evenings. Discounts are also available for groups of 15 or more by calling the number above.

Sandy Hackett's Rat Pack Show may not be appropriate for young theatergoers under the age of 13.

For more information on the show, visit www.marinesmemorialtheatre.tix.com.

BIOGRAPHIES

Sandy Hackett (Writer, Producer, Creator) - Son of late, legendary comedian Buddy Hackett, Sandy was inspired to continue the family trade at a young age. At age eleven, Sandy accompanied his father to a performance of the "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-in" and made his first professional television debut that fueled his entertainment career. Hackett was the Director of Entertainment at UNLV for his last three semesters and graduated with a degree in Hotel Administration. Hackett could not ignore his excitment for the stage. His love, talent and passion for entertainment led him to produce and host The Sahara Showcase of Talent at The Sahara Hotel & Casino's Casbar Theater. For the next forty years, he traveled and entertained throughout the world. Early on, Buddy asked his son to join him on stage where Sandy learned from the master while performing together for 10 years. Hackett created the very successful show, The Tribute to Frank, Sammy, Joey & Dean which has evolved into his latest creation Sandy Hackett's Rat Pack Show. Sandy is also an accomplished actor with numerous credits in film and television. Sandy's personal connection with the Rat Pack dates back to when he was a child. His father's dear friends, Frank, Sammy, "Uncle" Joey (portrayed by Sandy in the show) and Dean were family. Sandy is proud to be honoring their legacy as he bridges generations in celebration of 50 years of the Rat Pack.

Lisa Dawn Miller (Producer) - Daughter of the late, legendary songwriter Ron Miller, Lisa began her professional life as a successful stockbroker, working her way to First Vice President at Morgan Stanley. Once her business knowledge and foundation were in place, she decided to focus on her first love of music and the arts. Lisa's father wrote such classics as "For Once In My Life," "Touch Me In The Morning," "A Place In the Sun," "Yester-me, Yester-you, Yesterday," "Heaven Help Us All," "I've Never Been to Me," "Someday at Christmas" and "If I Could." Lisa currently produces and performs many of her father's hits which are included on her debut CD release "Fly Away" that has received wonderful reviews and her critically acclaimed one woman show, I Want To Come Back As A Song: Ron Miller, A Knight of Lyrics which debuted at the Metropolitan Room in NYC in 2007 with repeat performances in 2008 and 2009. In preserving her father's legacy, Lisa is premiering some of the never-before-heard songs of her father's which she discovered after his death, into her current production, "Sandy Hackett's Rat Pack Show," which she produces, adding a poignant unspoken narrative element, told by original, timeless songs.

Billy Karl (Director) made his debut as a director for an ongoing show with The Tribute to Frank, Sammy, Joey & Dean. Karl graduated at the top of his class from New York University's Film & Television School with Martin Scorsese and worked as a cinematographer to begin his early career. After graduation, Karl's impressive resume earned him opportunities to film and direct for high profile clients such as NBC, ABC, CBS, Warner Brothers, Citibank, Paramount Pictures, Purina, General Motors, DeLorian Motors and Nissan. With a strong interest in live performances, Karl made his way to Las Vegas and began working with Sandy Hackett for radio and television programs. In 2000, Karl became the creative director and producer of Las Vegas' only syndicated radio and television program "Backstage Live." He has worked with A-list celebrities such as Dustin Hoffman, Keanu Reeves and Lily Tomlin and his passion for live theatre is fed by directing the legendary Rat Pack.

Chris Hardin (Music Director/Arranger) - For over 30 years, Chris Hardin has been conducting and directing music. A performer himself, Hardin's versatility shows in his successful ability to evoke the best out of any ensemble ranging from small jazz trios to some of the finest symphonic orchestras around the world. Hardin and producer, Miller have now come together to create brand new music arrangements for Sandy Hackett's Rat Pack Show, which include the familiar, classic Rat Pack songs as well as original, never-before-heard songs written by Miller's father. Hardin has worked with numerous performers over the years including, Danny Gans, Tovah Feldshuh, Linda Hopkins, Forever Plaid, Theodore Bikel, Mare Winningham and Lisa Dawn Miller.

Mark Matson (Technical Director- Sound and Film) has been in the business for over 15 years as a recording engineer/film editor/producer and has written and produced for a wide-range of genres. Matson has worked with Celine Dion, Sheryl Crow, Huey Lewis, Sheena Easton, Boyz II Men, Megadeath, and Wayne Newton. An accomplished musician in instruments such as the guitar, keyboard and drums, Matson has worked on several film and television projects, as well as on numerous commercials and music videos. Matson also writes and performs original music with the Downtempo/Trip hop group Emoticon, and House/Techno group Sipping Soma.

Jeanne Quinn (Art Director) has been a professional art director since 1996. She has been a part of the Hackett-Miller design team for over five of those years. Quinn's accomplishments include graphic artist, promotional copywriter, and award-winning professional web site designer. As an eleven-time recipient of the prestigious Electronic Media Award (EMA), Quinn is a seasoned writer that has co-authored numerous books and is currently writing her own non-fiction series.

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