Babbaro lands Sinatra role in show
Canfield singer joins the theatrical show with a unique premise
By GUY D’ASTOLFO
Angelo Babbaro’s career just took a leap forward.
The Canfield singer with the Sinatra-style voice and presence has been selected for the cast of Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show. Babbaro, of course, will play Frank Sinatra, when the tour begins in October.
“It’s the next step in my journey,” said Babbaro, “but it’s not an overnight success. It’s eight years in the making. I started performing as a singer in 2007 and you know what they say — when that call comes, you better be ready.”
Babbaro is a financial advisor and broker and stressed that he will continue to run his business. “The shows are mostly on weekends,” he pointed out.
The show is written and produced by Sandy Hackett, the son of the late comedian-actor Buddy Hackett, and his wife, Lisa Dawn Miller, who is also a performer and producer-director and the daughter of the late composer Ron Miller.
Though there is no shortage of Rat Pack tribute acts, Hackett said his show stands out from the pack by virtue of its theatrical premise and its quality.
Hackett’s Rat Pack is set in the present day. Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Joey Bishop have been making too much noise up in heaven, so God sends them back down to earth for a day, where they wind up on a stage.
“This separates us from every other act,” said Hackett. “We don’t take you back in time. It’s set in the modern day, which opens up a fresh comedy vein. We’re not doing the same old jokes that everybody has already heard.”
Hackett makes no attempt to conceal his disdain for the cheesy Rat Pack shows that are common at banquet halls.
“Lots of guys do Sinatra, but they are very tribute-y,” he said. “They’re like bad Elvises.”
Hackett’s Rat Pack show only plays traditional theaters in the 2,000- to 3,000-seat range, accompanied by an orchestra.
It also includes a Joey Bishop character — played by Hackett. “No other show does it,” he said.
Music-wise, Hackett’s Rat Pack not only works in all of the standards, but includes two original songs that were written by Ron Miller for Sinatra but never heard by the public.
Hackett’s wife, Lisa, plays Ava Gardner – Sinatra’s wife – in the show, and she sings the songs as a duet with Sinatra.
Babbaro is the only newcomer to the veteran cast. He landed the role after performing in a showcase for talent scouts in New York in January.
Hackett said he was impressed with what he saw.
“We look for talent, and it starts with the voice,” he said. “My wife is a musical genius, and she agreed. Angelo wasn’t tribute-y. He has never done a tribute show.” Babbaro has been performing mostly solo vocal shows in Youngstown and throughout the Midwest and the East Coast in recent years.
Hackett said mastering the theatrical aspect of his show – interacting with other characters – will be a learning experience for Babbaro, and he is showing him the ropes. “We’re excited to have him on board,” said Hackett. “We think he’s going to be great.”
For information about the show, including the schedule, go to sandysratpackontour.com.
There currently are no Ohio dates.