GREGRIO
05-09-2008, 09:12 AM
The RAT PACK IS.........back in a real casino and thats a good thing...
The PLAZA is a huge step up from the Greek Isles!
Yeah, its old too but has held up pretty good and is learning how and what
it takes to host and compete by having a popular Show in house.
Even if you don't care for the joint, its and easy IN 'N OUT.
In the front doors...Box Office is right there and the showroom is a short walk
through the casino to the left.
Cabs are available after the Show right outside.
I took a cab over...from the RIO...during rush hour (5:30)...via I-15, and it wasn't
too bad. 15-20min...eighteen bucks and you're let out right at the front door of the PLAZA.
The showroom is medium size, terraced levels...the old Vegas Long Tables and Booths.
The stage is simple and perfect size for the 'boys', the Lon Bronson horn section, bass,
drums, piano and (liquor cart). Sound and lighting are fine.
I chose the Dinner Show and was surprised...it was pretty good. It won't ever compete
with the gourmet restaurants around town...they never intended too, but it was quite tasty.
A small mixed lettuce, tomato, and cucumber salad...your choice of grilled chicken, steak or
pasta premavera, mixed veggies, mashed potatoes and dinner rolls. Cheese Cake for dessert
with coffee or tea. The service was very attentive, fast and friendly and eating in your showroom
is very convenient.
What I always enjoyed about the Dinner Shows was the yackin' it up with the folks at your table.
I had a fun mixed group (10 of us). Young professionals, retired folks...New York, California,
Virginia, and Canada...ALL RAT PACK FANS.
You lined up at 5:30, Dinner at 6:00, Show at 7:00. It all worked quite well.
Our VIP table was right in front next to the stairs that led up to the stage. That position meant
we got lots of attention from the Show.
'Joey' works the front rows during his opening comedy stand up. 'Sammy' is in the audience
for part of his routine and 'Marilyn' enjoys many different positions for her part of the Show.
'Joan', the wife of 'Martin' at our table...gladly volunteered her husband when 'Marilyn' needed
a partner to play with. She placed a chair for 'Martin' in the front of the audience for this little tease...
POOR 'Martin'...he was smothered in breasts and covered in lipstick kisses by the time he made
it back to our table. POOR 'Joan'...'Martin's pump was primed for their activities later that evening.
BUT WHAT ABOUT THE SHOW........
FRANK, SAMMY, JOEY, and DEAN each have they're solo spots.
Theres duets, interruptions, and group scenes...all trying to create the spontaneous clowning
around atmosphere the RAT PACK generated in their 60's Show...(sorta)
I've seen it twice now. The first time was almost 10 years ago and they had (some) different
folks in the Show.
It felt pretty tight and staged to me.
'Sammy' and 'Dean's' interactions aren't timed very well, or...maybe too much. Their lines seemed
scripted...they just didn't flow smoothly and for as long as they've been working together, you'd
think the lines would come more naturally.
'Joey' holds on to his comedian role throughout the Show...pulling the act back together when
it falls victim to it's own timing problems.
As chairman of the board, 'Frank' seemed a bit bored...he could work on that great Sinatra smile
some more too.
Granted, Sinatra's presence was unique and no one can do Frank better than Frank. He was
the boss...he was in control of the RAT PACK...but not in this one.
The 'looks' and the 'voices' in The RAT PACK IS BACK aren't spot-on, but this version never
intended to do that. They're close enough and it works...you get the idea and most of the
audience DID!
Theres lots of laughs, good music and singing...a few surprises too and the evening ended
with a standing ovation.
PLAZA: (ask for the RAT PACK Box Office) 1.800.634.6575
The PLAZA is a huge step up from the Greek Isles!
Yeah, its old too but has held up pretty good and is learning how and what
it takes to host and compete by having a popular Show in house.
Even if you don't care for the joint, its and easy IN 'N OUT.
In the front doors...Box Office is right there and the showroom is a short walk
through the casino to the left.
Cabs are available after the Show right outside.
I took a cab over...from the RIO...during rush hour (5:30)...via I-15, and it wasn't
too bad. 15-20min...eighteen bucks and you're let out right at the front door of the PLAZA.
The showroom is medium size, terraced levels...the old Vegas Long Tables and Booths.
The stage is simple and perfect size for the 'boys', the Lon Bronson horn section, bass,
drums, piano and (liquor cart). Sound and lighting are fine.
I chose the Dinner Show and was surprised...it was pretty good. It won't ever compete
with the gourmet restaurants around town...they never intended too, but it was quite tasty.
A small mixed lettuce, tomato, and cucumber salad...your choice of grilled chicken, steak or
pasta premavera, mixed veggies, mashed potatoes and dinner rolls. Cheese Cake for dessert
with coffee or tea. The service was very attentive, fast and friendly and eating in your showroom
is very convenient.
What I always enjoyed about the Dinner Shows was the yackin' it up with the folks at your table.
I had a fun mixed group (10 of us). Young professionals, retired folks...New York, California,
Virginia, and Canada...ALL RAT PACK FANS.
You lined up at 5:30, Dinner at 6:00, Show at 7:00. It all worked quite well.
Our VIP table was right in front next to the stairs that led up to the stage. That position meant
we got lots of attention from the Show.
'Joey' works the front rows during his opening comedy stand up. 'Sammy' is in the audience
for part of his routine and 'Marilyn' enjoys many different positions for her part of the Show.
'Joan', the wife of 'Martin' at our table...gladly volunteered her husband when 'Marilyn' needed
a partner to play with. She placed a chair for 'Martin' in the front of the audience for this little tease...
POOR 'Martin'...he was smothered in breasts and covered in lipstick kisses by the time he made
it back to our table. POOR 'Joan'...'Martin's pump was primed for their activities later that evening.
BUT WHAT ABOUT THE SHOW........
FRANK, SAMMY, JOEY, and DEAN each have they're solo spots.
Theres duets, interruptions, and group scenes...all trying to create the spontaneous clowning
around atmosphere the RAT PACK generated in their 60's Show...(sorta)
I've seen it twice now. The first time was almost 10 years ago and they had (some) different
folks in the Show.
It felt pretty tight and staged to me.
'Sammy' and 'Dean's' interactions aren't timed very well, or...maybe too much. Their lines seemed
scripted...they just didn't flow smoothly and for as long as they've been working together, you'd
think the lines would come more naturally.
'Joey' holds on to his comedian role throughout the Show...pulling the act back together when
it falls victim to it's own timing problems.
As chairman of the board, 'Frank' seemed a bit bored...he could work on that great Sinatra smile
some more too.
Granted, Sinatra's presence was unique and no one can do Frank better than Frank. He was
the boss...he was in control of the RAT PACK...but not in this one.
The 'looks' and the 'voices' in The RAT PACK IS BACK aren't spot-on, but this version never
intended to do that. They're close enough and it works...you get the idea and most of the
audience DID!
Theres lots of laughs, good music and singing...a few surprises too and the evening ended
with a standing ovation.
PLAZA: (ask for the RAT PACK Box Office) 1.800.634.6575