Heaven Help Us

Reviewed by Holly Bartges

No question, Heaven Help Us at the Buell Theatre remains a work in progress, not unusual for a new show. The pit, however, for the show celebrating the infamous Rat Pack of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dean Martin may be slightly deeper than others.

Pictured from L to R: Eddie Korbich, Julian Rebolledo and Mark Zimmerman. Photographed by Terry Shapiro

Intentions of wanting to celebrate the unique lives of these three enormous talents, flashy life styles, and electrifying chemistry beg to be applauded.

Heaven Help Us became the brainchild of New York’s Ray Roderick and James Hindman. Roderick directed and choreographed Denver’s I Love A Piano and the critically acclaimed long running I Love You, Your Perfect, Now Change.

It is a truth the cast consisting of Eddie Korbich, Adam Pelty, Julian Rebolledo, Jodi Stevens, and Mark Zimmerman wear dominance in the talent arena, but in the Rat Pack dominion, they are sorely miscast.

Julian Rebolledo who plays Jeorge who takes a stab at Martin comes the closet. There are moments he flies with the Dino sound, but he can’t sustain it for very long.

Eddie Korvich who plays Bobby taken over by the spirit of Sammy Davis Jr. looks and acts more like Don Rickles.

Mark Zimmerman who plays Mr. Saunders who becomes Sinatra carries little resemblance to the Chairman of the Board, except for the hat. The part requires more than a hat to give cause for celebration.

Jodi Stevens plays uptight time oriented secretary Katherine to Mr. Saunders who transform into a sexy diva in the angel realm showcases her talent with sizzling aplomb.

The story itself holds intriguing possibilities. God decides for the Rat Pack to get into Heaven they must return to earth, and save Vic (Adam Pelty) from his failures based on a cruel comment Sinatra flippantly slung at him 25 years ago. If they fail to revive the “failured” drunk within a specific time frame, they are bound for Hell.

Along with Stevens, Pelty’s enormous talent commands defined attention.

Certainly God has another voice than a George Burns sound a like. Burns provided a unique voice to God the first time around, and the second, but now a tired joke long since driven into the ground below the depth any god would dare to go.

Heaven Help Us emphasizes the corny jokes the Rat Pack pulled off could be sliced with style and grace. In the second act when the three showcase their talents, the interruptions with Dino’s songs itch with irritation. The Rat Pack melded with pizzazz. Heaven Help Us just has corny jokes.

The real Dino’s fake drinking episodes and Pratt falls bounced with suave humor and class. In Heaven Help Us they becomes demeaning and degrading.

Rather than a celebration of three extraordinary one of a kind trio, this production draws them as flippant cartoon caricatures.

The Rat Pack stemmed from a particular mold defying duplication. No one would expect any cast to look like the Rat pack, but certainly a resemblance in sound and stance could be. An element decidedly left wanting in this show.

The set designed by Dana L. Kenn definitely has the Las Vegas ambiance, even with bright lights lighting the heavenly stars. The gaudiness doesn’t stretch far enough.

Under the musical direction of John Glaudini, the orchestra with Jo Lynn Burks Pianist/Conductor blasted with the big Las Vegas sound, but a tad brassy for an orchestra.

Definitely a work in progress, with a long unpaved road stretched out before them to become the celebration designed to honor with style, dignity, and class the Rat Pack deserves. It can be done.