The Colonial Presents "The Rat Pack is Back!"

Print Story | Email Story
Pittsfield – The Colonial Theatre will present THE RAT PACK IS BACK!, a tribute to the talented stars of the 1960s known as “The Rat Pack,” on October 3 and 4 with performances at 8PM. Tickets for the two performances range from $25-$40 and can be purchased in person at The Colonial Theatre Ticket Office at 111 South Street Monday-Friday 10-5, Saturday 10-2, by calling (413) 997-4444 or 24/7 online at www.TheColonialTheatre.org This performance is sponsored by the Berkshire Insurance Group.

“This is as close as anyone has come to capturing the feeling of the real thing!” –The Las Vegas Sun

Experience the ritz and allure of classic Vegas with this swinging party of a show! THE RAT PACK IS BACK! transports the audience back through time and space to a balmy night circa 1960 when four show business legends—Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop and Dean Martin—converged at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas for the first time. These stars delivered style with substance, swing with swagger and a non-stop party to which everyone wanted access.

Sandy Hackett, son of legendary comedian Buddy Hackett, is writer, producer and plays the role of Joey Bishop in THE RAT PACK IS BACK! Even at a young age, Hackett was inspired to enter his father’s world of comedy and worked hard to realize his dreams of success in show business. Making his performance debut at the tender age of 11, Hackett has entertained audiences with this talents for over three decades. However, it is by playing longtime family friend, Joey Bishop, that Hackett has become a regular in the Las Vegas circuit, just like his father.

THE RAT PACK IS BACK! unites an accomplished group of actors from the Las Vegas circuit.

Stage actor Brian DuPrey plays the legendary Frank Sinatra, while acclaimed jazz vocalist Kenny Jones plays Sammy Davis, Jr. and Johnny Edwards, a master impersonator, brings the role of Dean Martin to life.

In THE RAT PACK IS BACK!, the voice of God (actually a recording of the late Buddy Hackett) urges Frank, Sammy, Joey and Dean to go back and do it “just one more time.” What ensues is an uncanny recreation of one of the Rat Pack’s raucous, antic-filled performances, featuring Bishop’s hilarious comedy and performances of such standards as Sinatra’s “You Make Me Feel So Young,” “A Foggy Day,” “One For My Baby” and “All Of Me,” Martin’s “That’s Amoré” and Davis’ “Mr. Bojangles.” Backing the singers is swinging 12-piece live orchestra performing period perfect orchestrations.

THE RAT PACK IS BACK! recreates what one of those nights at the Sands might have been like, while also showcasing a few of the Rat Pack’s biggest hits from later in their careers,” says Hackett. “The actors in the show have spent countless hours diligently studying the people they portray.”

THE RAT PACK IS BACK! is co-produced by Dick Feeney (Viva Las Vegas, Showgirls, The Great Gleason) and is directed and choreographed by Ben Lockey (A Chorus Line, Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Bank, Staying Alive).

“THINK PINK” A BREAST CANCER AWARENESS ART EXHIBIT

On Friday, October 3 and Saturday, October 4, The Colonial Theatre will host the 5th Annual “Think Pink,” a breast cancer awareness art exhibit. The public is invited to attend along with breast cancer survivors, their family, friends and community advocates.

The Colonial Theatre has joined with the positive forces of the American Cancer Society’s Breast Health Team and the Storefront Artist Project to help advocate for breast cancer awareness and to honor breast cancer survivors throughout Berkshire County.

The opening reception for “Think Pink” begins on Friday evening from 5:30pm -7:30pm. Over 50 local artists’ work will be displayed in the theatre lobby, all created with the theme “Healing with Humor.”

The community is encouraged to participate in this upbeat, positive event. The art exhibit is open on Friday and Saturday at no charge.

To Purchase Tickets for THE RAT PACK IS BACK!

Tickets range from $25-$40 and can be purchased in person at The Colonial Theatre Ticket Office at 111 South Street Monday-Friday 10-5, Saturday 10-2, by calling (413) 997-4444 or 24/7 online at www.TheColonialTheatre.org This performance is generously sponsored by the Berkshire Insurance Group.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Former Harry's Supermarket Under Construction for Restaurant

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Construction is underway to transform the former Harry's Supermarket into a restaurant

Late last month, the Conservation Commission greenlit some tree pruning on the property. New windows and a new door can be seen in the front of the building. 

"It's a substantial renovation that's currently underway here," Brent White of White Engineering said, speaking on behalf of the applicant and owner, Huajie Zhu. 

A fire gutted the longtime Wahconah Street supermarket in 2023, and the following year, Zhu purchased the property for $460,000 two years ago to build a restaurant with hibachi in the existing footprint of the more than 100-year-old building. 

White explained that the project has been ongoing for over a year, and the Community Development Board granted the property a waiver to reduce the minimum required number of parking spaces so that additional spaces aren't needed.  

He noted that, looking at the site plan, there is very little room to do so. A mirror will be installed near the sharp turn on Bel Air Avenue to alleviate traffic concerns. 

Pruning will be done on trees in the southeast corner of the existing paved parking lot, as a number of branches are hanging over. The new owners also intend to patch, sealcoat, and re-stripe the parking lot. 

A fire tore through the building less than an hour after the supermarket closed for the day three years ago. An automatic sprinkler system is required for the new use. 

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories