Our critics weigh in on local theater

The Tribute to Frank, Sammy, Joey & Dean. Sandy Hackett's swingin' tribute to the Rat Pack takes us back to a time when men wore tuxedos in the desert, women could be one of two things (a lady or a tramp), and Celine Dion was just a golden apple in Las Vegas' hungry eye. Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop, and Dean Martin are brought back to life by God -- and the talents of a quartet of impersonators -- for one more night of highballing at the Sands Hotel. The concert-style production, featuring a live 12-piece band, perfectly captures the spirit of a long-lost era -- from Johnny Edwards' (or Andy DiMino's) glossy Dean Martin pompadour to what would now be considered terribly un-PC gaffs about black Jews. These particular tribute artists aren't necessarily dead ringers for Frank and company, but if you close your eyes and listen to Tom Tiratto's silk-voiced renditions of "My Way" and "Come Fly With Me," you almost feel like you've been transported, martini in hand, to another time and place. In an open-ended run at the Marines' Memorial Theatre, 609 Sutter (at Mason), S.F. Tickets are $38-70; call 771-6900 or visit www.marinesmemorialtheatre.com. (Chloe Veltman) Reviewed Aug. 24, 2005.

Also Playing

100 Years of Sex-Acts Exit Theatre on Taylor, 277 Taylor (at Ellis), 673-3847.

1001 Beds New Conservatory Theatre Center, 25 Van Ness (at Market), 861-8972.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Post Street Theatre, 450 Post (at Mason), 321-2900.

4 Adverbs Project Artaud Theater, 450 Florida (at 17th St.), 626-4370.

9 Parts of Desire Berkeley Repertory's Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison (at Shattuck), Berkeley, 510-647-2949.

Actors Reading Writers Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant (at Ellsworth), Berkeley, 510-843-4822.

Angels in America: Millennium Approaches Diego Rivera Theater/CCSF, 50 Phelan (at Judson), 239-3100.

Around the World in 80 Days Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic (at Locust), Walnut Creek, 925-943-7469.

BATS Improv Long-Form Festival Bayfront Theater, Fort Mason, Bldg. B (Marina & Buchanan), 474-8935.

BATS: Sunday Players Fort Mason, Bldg. B, Marina & Buchanan, 474-6776.

Beach Blanket Babylon Club Fugazi, 678 Green (at Powell), 421-4222.

Beyond Therapy Shelton Theater, 533 Sutter (at Powell), 931-8385.

Big City Improv Shelton Theater, 533 Sutter (at Powell), 931-8385.

Cats Orpheum Theater, 1192 Market (at Eighth St.), 512-7770.

Drunken Monkey Climate Theater, 285 Ninth St. (at Folsom), 863-1076.

The Fifth Annual Bay One-Acts Festival Eureka Theatre, 215 Jackson (at Front), 788-7469.

GayProv Off-Market Studio, 965 Mission (at Fifth St.), 896-6477.

Gem of the Ocean Geary Theater, 415 Geary (at Mason), 749-2228.

Happiness The Marsh, 1062 Valencia (at 22nd St.), 826-5750.

Imagination Unleashed Blue Bear Performance Hall, Fort Mason, Bldg. D, Marina & Buchanan, 885-5678.

In Bed With Fairy Butch for Women, Transfolks, & Their Pals 12 Galaxies, 2565 Mission (at 22nd St.), 970-9777.

Kung Fu Evangelist Dark Room Theater, 2263 Mission (at 18th St.), 401-7987.

Los Big Names Unplugged The Marsh, 1062 Valencia (at 22nd St.), 826-5750.

Love, Chaos & Dinner Pier 29, Embarcadero (at Battery), 273-1620.

Love Letters Off-Market Theater, 965 Mission (at Fifth St.), 896-6477.

Loveplay Old Oakland Theatre, 461 Ninth St. (at Broadway), Oakland, 510-436-5085.

Luna Noh Space, 2840 Mariposa (at Florida), 621-7978.

Monday Night Improv Jam Off-Market Theater, 965 Mission (at Fifth St.), 368-9909.

Monday Night Marsh The Marsh, 1062 Valencia (at 22nd St.), 826-5750.

Morbidity and Mortality Magic Theatre, Fort Mason, Bldg. D, Marina & Buchanan, 441-8822.

Nero (Another Golden Rome) Magic Theatre, Fort Mason, Bldg. D, Marina & Buchanan, 441-8822.

The Night of the Iguana Actors Theatre San Francisco, 533 Sutter (at Powell), 296-9179.

On the Bum Zeum Theater, 221 Fourth St. (at Howard), 820-3320.

Our Lady of 121st Street SF Playhouse, 536 Sutter (at Powell), 677-9596.

Perfect Ganesh Phoenix Theatre, 414 Mason (at Geary), Suite 601, 989-0023.

Pressing Beyond in Between The Thick House, 1695 18th St. (at Arkansas), 587-4465.

Purvis Intersection for the Arts, 446 Valencia (at 15th St.), 626-2787.

Strange Travel Suggestions Marsh Berkeley, 2118 Allston (at Shattuck), Berkeley, 826-5750.

Theatre District New Conservatory Theatre Center, 25 Van Ness (at Market), 861-8972.

Uncle Buzzy's Hometown Theater Show Exit Theatre, 156 Eddy (at Taylor), 673-3847.